Abstract
The theory of space and time that Einstein presents herein is remarkably different than the one described by Newton in his Principia. On the one hand, Newton assumes absolute (observer independent) distance and time intervals between events; this necessitates a subjective (observer dependent) speed of light. On the other hand, Einstein assumes an absolute speed of light; this necessitates subjective distance and time intervals between events. Indeed, the Lorentz transformations, which relate the space-time coordinates of events in Einstein’s theory, were constructed with precisely this end in mind: to preserve an observer-independent speed of light. Stated in this way, Einstein’s theory of space and time is arguably as “absolute” as Newton’s; they only disagree on what is absolute.
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