Einstein, Science and Philosophy

Friedel Weinert

Abstract:

The aim of this paper is to provide a readable account of the immense philosophical legacy of Einstein’s scientific work. Einstein was not a systematic philosopher but his physical thought had philosophical consequences. In his willingness to pursue the philosophical consequences of his scientific work, Einstein followed in the footsteps of physicists like Newton, Mach, Planck and Poincaré. Einstein derived these consequences from the problem-situations, into which his work as a physicist had led him. These philosophical consequences range from metaphysics to the philosophy of physics. To a certain extent they can be regarded as answers to philosophical questions. Of particular interest is his view of the representational nature of scientific theories, in which the notion of constraints plays a significant role. An analysis of the role of constraints in Einstein’s ‘philosophy of science’ has often been neglected in the literature.

Plan

I. Problem-Situations

II. Facts and Concepts

III. Philosophy of Being or Becoming?

IV. Quantum Mechanics

V. The Representational Nature of Scientific Theories

1) The postulation of the constancy of the speed of light

2) Principles of Relativity

3) Invariance and Symmetries

4) Covariance

VI. What is Einstein’s philosophical allegiance?

VII. What is Reality?

VIII. Philosophy and Science