Promotional Information

The study forms a comprehensive history of the concept of simultaneity from earliest antiquity to the present, the first with such a historical sweep. In addition, Max Jammer has done an invaluable service in bringing together in an impressive manner material related to the extended controversies associated with the concept of simultaneity within 20th-century physics and philosophy of physics. -- Ronald Anderson, Boston College

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
1. Terminological Preliminaries
2. The Concept of Simultaneity in Antiquity
3. Medieval Conceptions of Simultaneity
4. The Concept of Simultaneity in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
5. The Concept of Simultaneity in Classical Physics
6. The Transition to the Relativistic Conception of Simultaneity
7. Simultaneity in the Special Theory of Relativity
8. The Reception of the Relativistic Conception of Simultaneity
9. The Conventionality Thesis
10. The Promulgation of the Conventionality Thesis
11. Symmetry and Transitivity of Simultaneity
12. Arguments against the Conventionality Thesis
13. Clock Transport Synchrony
14. Recent Debates on the Conventionality of Simultaneity
15. Simultaneity in General Relativity and in Quantum Mechanics
Epilogue
Index

About the Author

Max Jammer, who was personally acquainted with Albert Einstein while at Princeton, is former president and professor emeritus of Bar-Ilan University and author of a number of important books, mainly in the philosophy of physics. Among his numerous awards are the Prize of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the much coveted Israel Prize.

Reviews

Concepts of Simultaneity excels at clearly explaining subtle but important issues. The book is incisive and valuable; it will appeal not only to historians and philosophers of physics but also to physicists drawn to the elements of special relativity. -- Alberto A. Martinez Physics Today This interesting, carefully crafted analysis of some fundamental ideas belongs in good college library collections... Highly recommended. Choice Concepts of Simultaneity provides a welcome survey of the development of our views and theories of simultaneity, bringing together sources in history, physics and philosophy. The book covers an impressive array of material. -- Jill North American Scientist The view of simultaneity presented by Max Jammer is almost breathtaking... I think Jammer has written a valuable book. -- Allen I. Janis Sudies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics Presents a very well-researched and thought-provoking analysis of the topic. -- Mark Shumelda History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences I highly recommend the book. -- Craig Callender Isis Jammer's book is a significant contribution to the literature on the physics of time and merits the attention of both physicists and philosophers of science. -- Howard E. Brandt Mathematical Reviews