The Relativistic Theory of Time

WhileReichenbach, H. its physical elaboration appeared from the outset to be complete, the philosophical basis of the theory of relativity was revealed to scientists only gradually. It is no doubt typical of Einstein to base his work on a clear vision of fundamental philosophical concepts, but the creator of this great theory owes this vision to an intuition rather than to the elaboration of a gnosiological theory. On the other hand, the creator of this great theory concentrates first on physical elaboration, and if he were to devote more time to determining the philosophical basis of his theory, this would only harm his studies. The extreme brevity of his observations on this subject has caused a certain number of his opponents to reproach him with a lack of philosophical understanding and to presume to assign to his work a purely mathematical meaning—a misunderstanding which seems ridiculous to those who know the physical theory and above all Einstein's mental form. When a physicist, in order to solve difficulties of a physical order, refers so brilliantly to the theory of knowledge, can it be said that he is incompetent in philosophy? Rather, I think it is worth modestly trying to find out, through philosophical studies, what he has done to the benefit of this discipline, and to grant him the right to construct his new physics, without continuing to concern himself with the results of philosophy.