On a conceptual connection between the principles of relativity and uncertainty

Abstract

The principles of relativity and uncertainty represent two of the deepest and most encompassing propositions of the physical sciences. Indeed, much of our present knowledge of nature can be recapitulated in these important statements about the processes of motion and measurement. However, a question remains as to the precise logical connection between both principles. Here, we show a plausible and simple conceptual analysis linking the principles of relativity and uncertainty as logical requirements of the idea of physical measurement. The main conclusion points to the logical complementarity of both principles in order to justify the possibility of physical measurements, in which the uncertainty principle guarantees the applicability of the principle of relativity in all physically conceivable systems of reference.