Absolute or Relative Motion?: The Deep Structure of General Relativity

Absolute or Relative Motion #2

by Julian Barbour

This is the second in a two volume series discussing the theories of Einstein, Newton and other ideas of late 19th and early 20th century physics as in-depth research and basis for Barbour's theory that time is an illusion. This volume gives a comprehensive survey of the major issues associated with the transition in our understanding of the nature of space and motion that came with Einstein's theory of general relativity. Einstein's work and thoughts are critically reexamined in their historical context of Mach's earlier reinterpretation of Newton's arguments for absolute space, and other ideas in physics of the time. Along with its new interpretations, this book is an excellent guide to the deeper philosophical implications of general relativity, and has much to contribute to the studies relevant to the current effort to create a quantum theory of gravity.

Hardcover

First published November 1, 2002

About the author

Julian Barbour (1937) is a British physicist with research interests in quantum gravity and the history of science.

Since receiving his PhD degree on the foundations of Einstein's general theory of relativity at the University of Cologne in 1968, Barbour has supported himself and his family without an academic position, working part-time as a translator. He has research interests in quantum gravity and the history of science.