> Thus Einstein shows that Poincar/e's formula _derives_ from Einstein's
> own formulation of Relativity. It is not surprising since Poincar/e's
> mathematical theory of relativity is not really different from Einstein's
> own version. But whereas to a formalist like Poincar/e it was just that:
> "a formal theory", Einstein, and then later on, Minkowski, considerably
> enlarged this very narrow minded point of view. Whittaker vehemently
> denies to Einstein any paternity in the theory of relativity but his
> opinion on this point must be deemed today merely a truly bigoted one, no
> more no less.
Good Grief!!
"A formalist" with a "very narrow minded point of view"
An interesting description of "The last man to take practically all
mathematics, both pure and applied"(!) "as his province" (E. T. Bell) and
whose foundational bedrock was that "Experiment is the sole source of truth"
(Science and Hypothesis Part IV Chapter IX) He was at times a conventionalist
and a theorist, but where his point of view was narrow, it was because there
was no experiential evidence to widen it or he left the verificational work
to others. He had more to do than spend his life worrying about photons and
bent light rays.
Dean Spencer
dean.spencer@gtri.gatech.edu