There are two main approaches to both philosophy, mathematics and physics (and other areas):
Constructivism - intuitionism - realism:
- existence of real world independent of human hand and mind (stars, dinosaurs)
- existence of real world constructed by human hand and mind (cars, computers)
- existence of image of real world created by human hand and mind (math models, computer programs).
Formalism: idealism:
- existence of sign - image created by human hand and mind (math models)
- relation between sign - image and (real) world magical.
Being an extreme formalist, Einstein developed both the special and general theory of relativity in a mission to bring order into the mess of relative coordinate systems by forming a universal standard forcing all observers using different coordinate systems to agree. The Lorentz transformation as foundation of the special theory, is thus a dictate to be followed when making observations using different inertial coordinate systems. Many Worlds - One Observer.
Einstein's principle of relativity is an ultimate expression of formalism:
- The equations describing the laws of physics are to have the same form in all admissible frames of reference.
Newton's equations take the same form in all inertial systems connected by Galilean coordinate transformations. Maxwell's equations take the same form in all inertial coordinate systems connected by Lorentz transformations, but not by Galilean transformations. Einstein dictated that Maxwell's equations under Lorentz transformations should be the universal norm, and thereby declared Newton's laws as being outside the law of physics, while begging: Newton, forgive me!
For a constructivist, Einstein's dictated unification program would serve no purpose. Different people would be allowed to construct different images and have different gods and only a minimal coordination based on practical needs, would be called for, like a system of different floating currencies. The real World would be One, but there would be many different views depending on observer position. One World - Many Observers.
In this sense a constructivist is a true relativist, or democrat, while Einstein's relativity theory would rather reflect the opposite of absolutism (Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer). This aspect is developed in more detail in Many-Minds Relativity.
For a constructivist, the choice of coordinate system is a matter of convenience and does not hide any secrets of physics. For a formalist like Einstein, coordination of observations in different coordinate systems is of paramount importance with the goal of defining a universal standard, and the physisc is secondary if not nil.
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