PREFACE - BY his theory of relativity Albert Einstein has provoked
a revolution of thought in physical science. The achievement
consists essentially in this Einstein has succeeded in separating
far more completely than hitherto the share of the observer and the
share of external nature in the things we see happen. The
perception of an object by an observer depends on his own situation
and circumstances for example, distance will make it appear smaller
and dimmer. We make allowance for this almost unconsciously in
interpreting what we see. But it now appears that the allowance
made for the motion of the observer has hitherto been too crude a
fact overlooked because in practice all observers share nearly the
same motion, that of the earth. Physical space and time are found
to be closely bound up with this motion of the observer and only an
amorphous combination of the two is left inherent in the external
world. When space and time are relegated to their proper source the
observer the world of nature which remains appears strangely
unfamiliar but it is in reality simplified, and the underlying
unity of the principal phenomena is now clearly revealed. The
deductions from this new outlook have, with one doubtful exception,
been confirmed when tested by experiment. It is my aim to give an
account of this work without intro ducing anything very technical
in the way of mathematics, physics, or philosophy. The new view of
space and time, so opposed to our habits of thought, must in any
case demand unusual mental exercise. The results appear strange and
the incongruity is not without a humorous side. For the first nine
chapters the task is one of interpreting a clear-cut theory,
accepted in allits essentials by a large and growing school of
physicists although perhaps not everyone would accept the authors
views of its meaning. Chapters x and xi deal with very recent
advances, with regard to which opinion is more fluid. As for the
last chapter, containing the authors specula tions on the meaning
of nature, since it touches on the rudiments of a philosophical
system, it is perhaps too sanguine to hope that it can ever be
other than controversial. vi PREFACE A non-mathematical
presentation has necessary limitations and the reader who wishes to
learn how certain exact result follow from Einsteins, or even
Newtons, law of gravitation m bound to seek the reasons in a
mathematical treatise. But thj limitation of range is perhaps less
serious than the limitation of intrinsic truth. There is a
relativity of truth, as there is a relativity of space. For is and
IS-NOT though with Rule and Line And UP-AND-DOWK without, I could
define, Alas It is not so simple. We abstract from the phenomena
that which is peculiar to the position and motion of the observer
but can we abstract that which is peculiar to the limited imagina
tion of the human brain We think we can, but only in the symbolism
of mathematics. As the language of a poet rings with a truth that
eludes the clumsy explanations of his commentators, so the geometry
of relativity in its perfect harmony expresses a truth of form and
type in nature, which my bowdlerised version misses. But the mind
is not content to leave scientific Truth in a dry husk of
mathematical symbols, and demands that it shall be alloyed with
familiar images. The mathematician, who handles x so lightly, may
fairly be asked to state, not indeed the in scrutablemeaning of a
in nature, but the meaning which x conveys to him. Although
primarily designed for readers without technical knowledge of the
subject, it is hoped that the book may also appeal to those who
have gone into the subject more deeply. A few notes have been added
in the Appendix mainly to bridge the gap between this and more
mathematical treatises, and to indicate the points of contact
between the argument in the text and the parallel analytical
investigation. It is impossible adequately to express my debt to
con temporary literature and discussion...
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