Minkowski space-time: a glorious non-entity

Abstract

Einstein distinguished between ``principle'' and ``constructive'' theories in physics, and although he thought the latter were more explanatory than the former, he regarded his 1905 formulation of special relativity theory as a principle theory. Some have claimed that Minkowski space-time can serve as the deep structure within a constructive reformulation of special relativity. We criticise this claim, and argue that a satisfactory constructive version of special relativity must involve a dynamical treatment of the forces holding together the constitutive parts of moving rods and clocks.

18 pages, written for Petkov (ed.), The Ontology of Spacetime (in preparation)

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Space-time Philosophy Reconstructed via Massive Nordström Scalar Gravities? Laws vs. Geometry, Conventionality, and Underdetermination
• Reversing the Arrow of Time
• What Represents Space-time? And What Follows for Substantivalism \emph{vs.} Relationalism and Gravitational Energy?
• On the Boundary of the Cosmos
• Minkowski and Special Relativity: Does His Spacetime Geometry Explain Space Contraction?