A Helmholtzian approach to space and time

Abstract: A slight modification of Helmholtz’s metrical approach to the foundations of geometry leads to the locally Euclidian character of space without restriction of the curvature. A bolder generalization involving time measurement leads to the locally Minkowskian character of spacetime. Some phi...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Studies in History & Philosophy of Science Part A Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 528 - 543
Autor principal: Darrigol, Olivier
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Elsevier B.V. Sep2007
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Abstract: A slight modification of Helmholtz’s metrical approach to the foundations of geometry leads to the locally Euclidian character of space without restriction of the curvature. A bolder generalization involving time measurement leads to the locally Minkowskian character of spacetime. Some philosophical consequences of these results are drawn.