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    Weyl's gauge theory cannot be refuted by Einstein's objec... — Carmelics
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    Weyl's gauge theory cannot be refuted by Einstein's objection about atomic clocks and meter sticks

    Skepticism
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    1 reason for
    2 reasons against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Atoms, clocks, and meter sticks are complex dynamical objects whose behavior in arbitrary gravitational and electromagnetic fields can only be inferred from a detailed dynamical theory of matter
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    • 2.No reliable dynamical models of such objects were available in 1918
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    • 3.Without such models, there is no justification for assuming that clock rates are correctly modeled by the length of a timelike vector
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    Reasons Against

    2 perspectives
    Reason against 1 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Einstein's objection appeals to the empirical fact that spectral lines of atoms are sharp and universal, which is an observable constraint any viable theory must satisfy.
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    • 2.Weyl's geometry entails path-dependent rescaling of intervals, which would produce spectral line broadening detectable even without a complete dynamical theory of matter.
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    • 3.A theory's empirical adequacy can be refuted by robust observational data even in the absence of a full dynamical account of the measuring instruments involved.
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    Reason against 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.The logical structure of the supporting arguments commits a tu quoque fallacy: the unavailability of dynamical models cuts equally against Weyl's own theoretical predictions.
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    • 2.If no reliable dynamical model of clocks existed in 1918, Weyl could not claim his theory was empirically coherent, since its physical interpretation equally presupposes such models.
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    Related

    A theory's empirical adequacy can be refuted by robust observational data even i...Atoms, clocks, and meter sticks are complex dynamical objects whose behavior in ...Einstein's objection appeals to the empirical fact that spectral lines of atoms ...If no reliable dynamical model of clocks existed in 1918, Weyl could not claim h...
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    No reliable dynamical models of such objects were available in 1918The logical structure of the supporting arguments commits a tu quoque fallacy: t...Weyl's geometry entails path-dependent rescaling of intervals, which would produ...

    Similar

    Einstein's objection was specifically that clocks would return with di...82%Weyl's theory predicts that atomic clocks would be affected by their h...78%Einstein's original objection to Weyl's theory disappears when the fac...78%Weyl's gauge invariant interpretation of electromagnetism lacked a com...75%

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    However, in 1918 it was still possible for Weyl to defend his theory in the following way. In response to Einstein’s criticism Weyl noted that atoms, clocks and meter sticks are complex objects whose real behavior in arbitrary gravitational and electromagnetic fields can only be inferred from a dynamical theory of matter. Since no detailed and reliable dynamical models were available at that time, Weyl could argue that there is no reason to assume that, for example, clock rates are correctl
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    Details

    Without such models, there is no justification for assuming that clock rates are...
    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    3 (1 for, 2 against)
    Edits
    1 edit