Non-euclideanism in general relativity and cosmology (Q1822372)

This paper presents an essential epistemological discussion of the advisability of the use of non-Euclidean geometry in cosmological theories. [In the present context this nomenclature refers to quadratic metrics with non-vanishing curvature.] An attempt is made to indicate that the assignment of a ''dilatational degree of freedom'' to all matter in the universe (a concept whose definition is not understood by this reviewer) could serve as an appropriate motivation for the introduction of non-Euclidean geometry in the general theory of relativity and in cosmology.