Abstract

This book originally appeared in 1920 under the title Relativitätstheorie und Erkenntnis Apriori and was the first of Reichenbach's numerous writings on the philosophical problems of relativity theory, space, and time. In this book the author attempted to show how Kant's theory of the a priori, especially concerning the concept of the a priori as "constituting the concept of [the] object" in question, comes into irrevocable conflict with certain facts of both the General and Special theories of relativity; and that, therefore, we must amend Kant's treatment of the role of the a priori in knowledge accordingly. The translator, Maria Reichenbach, has provided a long and useful introduction, placing the work in the context of Reichenbach's philosophical career and activities, and providing background material on the author himself. This is the second of a continuing series of works by Reichenbach to appear under the California Press imprint.—P. J. M.