Comparing theories: the dynamics of changing vocabulary

DOI10.1007/978-3-319-06025-5_6zbMATH Open1344.03009arXiv1307.1885OpenAlexW3105738884MaRDI QIDQ5249669FDOQ5249669

Authors: István Németi, Hajnal Andréka 

Publication date: 11 May 2015

Published in: Outstanding Contributions to Logic (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: There are several first-order logic (FOL) axiomatizations of special relativity theory in the literature, all looking essentially different but claiming to axiomatize the same physical theory. In this paper, we elaborate a comparison, in the framework of mathematical logic, between these FOL theories for special relativity. For this comparison, we use a version of mathematical definability theory in which new entities can also be defined besides new relations over already available entities. In particular, we build an interpretation of the reference-frame oriented theory SpecRel into the observationally oriented Signalling theory of James Ax. This interpretation provides SpecRel with an operational/experimental semantics. Then we make precise, "quantitative" comparisons between these two theories via using the notion of definitional equivalence. This is an application of logic to the philosophy of science and physics in the spirit of Johan van Benthem's work.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1307.1885

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zbMATH Keywords

special relativity theoryfirst-order logic axiomatizations

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Special relativity (83A05) Logic in the philosophy of science (03A10) Classical first-order logic (03B10) Other applications of logic (03B80)

Cited In (9)

• In the Footsteps of Hilbert: The Andréka-Németi Group’s Logical Foundations of Theories in Physics
• GROUPS OF WORLDVIEW TRANSFORMATIONS IMPLIED BY EINSTEIN’S SPECIAL PRINCIPLE OF RELATIVITY OVER ARBITRARY ORDERED FIELDS
• Rózsa Péter: Recursive function theory's founding mother
• Investigations of isotropy and homogeneity of spacetime in first-order logic
• How many varieties of cylindric algebras are there
• Finite-Variable Logics Do Not Have Weak Beth Definability Property
• Logical analysis of relativity theories
• Why not categorical equivalence?
• From geometry to conceptual relativity

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