View source for Special Relativity in Absolute Space: from a contradiction in terms to an obviousness

{{Infobox paper
| title = Special Relativity in Absolute Space:
from a contradiction in terms to an obviousness
| author = [[Rodrigo de Abreu]], [[Vasco Guerra]]
| published = 2006
| journal = [[ArXiv]]
}}

==Abstract==

This work deals with the questions of absolute space and relativity. In  particular, an alternative derivation of the effects described by special  relativity is provided, which is based on a description that assumes a  privileged reference frame. The present theory follows the ideas of Lorentz  and Poincar?, abandoning a strict view of Einstein&#8217;s &#8220;equivalence&#8221; of all  inertial frames. The meaning of the Principle of Relativity is discussed and  elucidated, and it is shown that it is not incompatible with the existence of a  preferred, absolute, frame.<br /><br />Most scientists nowadays still consider the basic assumptions of the theory  proposed here to be plain wrong. Moreover, they tend to see an irreconcilable  conflict between the Lorentz-Poincar? and the Einstein-Minkowski  formulations. However, as stated by John Bell [Bell1988], although there is a  stringent &#8220;difference in philosophy&#8221; between both views, &#8220;the facts of physics  do not oblige us to accept one philosophy rather than the other&#8221;. The validity  of Bell&#8217;s assertion is unambiguously demonstrated, and it is shown how and  why both approaches do indeed agree in the description of (most of?) the  physical phenomena. Evidently, the physical meaning of the different  physical quantities &#8211; such as &#8220;time&#8221;, &#8220;speed&#8221;, &#8220;simultaneity&#8221; and  &#8220;synchronization&#8221; &#8211; is quite different in both programmes. And yet, for  perplexing it may look at first sight, the present theory, developed under the  Lorentz-Poincar? assumption of a preferred reference frame, somehow  encompasses Einstein&#8217;s theory. There is no conflict, as there is one theory.<br /><br />It must be conceded that what is said in both formulations seems to be  contradictory, but this is essentially related to a demanding problem of  language. As a matter of fact, it is revealed that what special relativity says is  not what usually it is thought it says. By the use of a correct and precise  language, problems and paradoxes are immediately avoided. Interpretation  problems only arise because words are used in a sense that is often not correct  under the chosen description. The core of the problem is related to the largely  debated question of synchronization of distant clocks. It is stressed that  reality is not changed by the choices one makes to describe it, so it is not  changed by the particular way in which the clocks have been set.

[[Category:Scientific Paper|special relativity absolute space contradiction terms obviousness]]

[[Category:Relativity|special relativity absolute space contradiction terms obviousness]]