Why are there still opponents of the theory of relativity? - By Viktor T. and by Kevin Parcell - Quora Question Review

This document contains a review of the answer By Viktor T. and by Kevin Parcell on the question in Quora: "Why are there still opponents of the theory of relativity?"
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Contents

  • 2. Answer Review by Kevin Parcell

    Reflection

    1. Answer Review by Viktor T.Toth

    In my experience, there are two groups* of people.

    The first group consists of folks who understand relativity theory. These folks know how to derive Einstein’s field equations from the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian, know how to linearize the resulting equations, understand the post-Newtonian formalism, can derive testable predictions, know how to calculate the bending of light by the Sun, the perihelion advance of Mercury and other planets, the Shapiro delay of radio signals, know how to apply the field equations to an isotropic, homogeneous cosmos and derive its Friedmann equations, know the conceptual issues concerning singularities and horizons… in short, (1) they know what they are talking about, (2) they know what the theory says, (3) they know what its predictions are and (4) how they can be tested.

    Do all the people who understand the realtivity theory have the same answers on the issues (1),(2),(3) and (4). For example have the ever tried to simulate the positions of the stars around sagitarrius A* using both Newton's Law and GTR?
    The first problem to solve are the observations used.

    The second group of people include those who talk about relativity theory as “dogma”, complain about apparent paradoxes, deride the physics “establishment”, question Einstein’s legacy, and propose outlandish alternatives (often in the form of meticulously produced, richly illustrated manuscripts or self-published books). Surprisingly, this group not only includes bona fide scientists but occasionally, even physicists from other fields.

    However, the overlap between these groups is precisely nil. I have yet to meet a person who actually made the effort to understand relativity theory and then became an opponent of it.

    The problem in my case is that I try to understand RT, but I don't.
    Sure, there are people who explore sensible modifications or extensions of the theory. Doubly special relativity, scalar-tensor theories, f(R) theories of gravity, conformal gravity, higher-order gravity, bimetric theories… these are all proposals made by gravitational physicists who understand relativity theory very well. But proposing a sensible modification or extension of the theory is not the same as being in opposition to it. As I said, I have yet to meet a person who opposes relativity theory but argues from a position of deep knowledge, not profound ignorance.
    *These two groups are not the only two groups, of course. There are people who do not belong in either of these categories, i.e., people who do not have a professional level of understanding of the theory but do not buy into anti-science conspiracy theories either.

    2. Answer Review by Kevin Parcell

    Reflection 1 - Question Review: Why are there still opponents of the theory of relativity?

    If you want to answer the question: "Why are there still opponents of the theory of relativity?" you must first define what means The theory of Relativity . What is the purpose of the theory?
    You could answer: because we humans want to understand the Universe. How did it all start? Why are there galaxies.
    But you can also answer it differently: How comes that identical clocks run at a different rate? What has this to do with the 'abstract' concept of time.
    A whole different approach is the issue: Why do we need mathematics

    In my case if you want to understand why do planets move around the Sun, why do you need the concept of light? Specific why does the speed of light has to be a constant. This has nothing to do with the physics behind the movement of astro physical objects in the Universe.
    In some cases the movement of the planets is influenced by electrical or magnetic processes. In these cases the speed of light is important.
    For us humans light is important to observe the stars in the Universe, but again that has nothing to do with the speed of light.

    However, there is a more important point, if you want to understand the universe, you must try to 'understand' the whole of the universe at any specific moment in its totality. An important consideration is that that has nothing to do of what we humans can observe. Humans (observers) in that respect are unimportant. The same with the concept: the visible universe. In that respect it is wrong to consider humans (or the Sun) as being situated at the center of the Universe.

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    Created: 19 May 2024

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