216 citations · 524 across the 16 of their papers we have counts for
8 papers · 1 filter
Schematizing the Observer and the Epistemic Content of Theories
Erik Curiel
I argue that, contrary to the standard view, one cannot understand the structure and nature of our knowledge in physics without an analysis of the way that observers (and, more gen…
On Geometric Objects, the Non-Existence of a Gravitational Stress-Energy Tensor, and the Uniqueness of the Einstein Field Equation
Erik Curiel
The question of the existence of gravitational stress-energy in general relativity has exercised investigators in the field since the inception of the theory. Folklore has it that…
The Many Definitions of a Black Hole
Erik Curiel
Although black holes are objects of central importance across many fields of physics, there is no agreed upon definition for them, a fact that does not seem to be widely recognized…
Framework Confirmation by Newtonian Abduction
Erik Curiel
The analysis of theory-confirmation generally takes the deductive form: show that a theory in conjunction with physical data and auxiliary hypotheses yield a prediction about pheno…
Kinematics, Dynamics, and the Structure of Physical Theory
Erik Curiel
Every physical theory has (at least) two different forms of mathematical equations to represent its target systems: the dynamical (equations of motion) and the kinematical (kinemat…
If Metrical Structure Were Not Dynamical, Counterfactuals in General Relativity Would Be Easy
Erik Curiel
General relativity poses serious problems for counterfactual propositions peculiar to it as a physical theory. Because these problems arise solely from the dynamical nature of spac…
On the Existence of Spacetime Structure
E. Curiel
I examine the debate between substantivalists and relationalists about the ontological character of spacetime and conclude it is not well posed. I argue that the so-called Hole Arg…
A Primer on Energy Conditions
Erik Curiel
An energy condition, in the context of a wide class of spacetime theories (including general relativity), is, crudely speaking, a relation one demands the stress-energy tensor of m…