Einstein and Mach: Philosophy and General Theory of Relativity
Paper details:
The topics require careful interpretation and comparative analysis of the assigned texts and textual support from the relevant philosophers for your interpretations; therefore, you may not cite secondary sources as authorities to back up your opinions. (That is, your essay can’t assume
that any secondary source is correct.) The topics also require very clear, careful, and wellorganizedwriting, with clear and sound arguments given for any opinions you express.
TOPIC: 1. Einstein writes, “But no person whose mode of thought is logical can rest satisfied with this condition of things.” [Chapter XXI]. Explain what Einstein is talking about and what he means by this remark. Critically discuss how this idea relates specifically to Mach’s ideas, and to what
extent this philosophical idea is fulfilled in the general theory of relativity.