Einstein's Regret: Penrose Asserts on Relativity

In summary, the conversation discusses the term "relativity" and how it was perceived by philosopher critics, with Penrose asserting that Einstein regretted using it. The conversation also mentions the misinterpretation of relativity as relativism and Einstein's preference for the term "invariant theory." The conversation ends with a request for a quote from Einstein himself, which is suggested to be found in the references provided by the person responding.
  • #1
gamow99
71
2
In the following program

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b02144gl

Penrose asserts that Einstein regretted the term relativity because it gave ammunition to those who assert that there is not one truth or that reality is a social construct. Does anyone have exact quotes from Einstein asserting something to that effect?
 
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  • #3
Thanks. This is almost exactly what I needed:

It was characteristic for many philosophical critics that they had insufficient knowledge of the mathematical and formal basis of relativity,[A 34] which led to the criticisms often missing the heart of the matter. For example, relativity was misinterpreted as some form of relativism. However, this is misleading as it was emphasized by Einstein or Planck. On one hand it's true that space and time became relative, and the inertial frames of reference are handled on equal footing. On the other hand the theory makes natural laws invariant—examples are the constancy of the speed of light, or the covariance of Maxwell's equations. Consequently, Felix Klein (1910) called it the "invariant theory of the Lorentz group" instead of relativity theory, and Einstein (who reportedly used expressions like "absolute theory") sympathized with this expression as well
Though I would like a quote from Einstein himself.
 
  • #4
gamow99 said:
Though I would like a quote from Einstein himself.
That's why I told you to try the references.
 
  • #5
Sorry, big mistake on my part.
 

1. What is "Einstein's Regret"?

"Einstein's Regret" refers to a concept proposed by physicist Roger Penrose in which he argues that Albert Einstein may have regretted his theory of general relativity due to its implications for the nature of time and space.

2. How does Penrose assert on relativity?

Penrose asserts on relativity by proposing a new interpretation of general relativity in which objects can exist in multiple states simultaneously, challenging the traditional understanding of time and space in Einstein's theory.

3. What is the significance of Penrose's assertion on relativity?

Penrose's assertion on relativity has sparked debate and further research in the field of physics, as it offers a potential solution to long-standing issues in our understanding of the universe, such as the existence of black holes and the nature of time.

4. How does Penrose's assertion impact our understanding of Einstein's work?

Penrose's assertion on relativity does not discredit or diminish Einstein's work, but rather offers a new perspective and potential avenues for further exploration in the field of physics. It adds to the ongoing discussion and evolution of our understanding of the universe.

5. Is Penrose's assertion widely accepted in the scientific community?

As with any new scientific concept, Penrose's assertion on relativity has been met with both support and skepticism. While it has not been widely accepted yet, it has sparked interest and further research in the field, and only time will tell if it will become a widely accepted theory.

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