Coordinates, observables and symmetry in relativity

Abstract

We investigate the interplay and connections between symmetry properties of equations, the interpretation of coordinates, the construction of observables, and the existence of physical relativity principles in spacetime theories. Using the refined notion of an event as a "point-coincidence" between scalar fields that completely characterise a spacetime model, we also propose a natural generalisation of the relational local observables that does not require the existence of four everywhere invertible scalar fields. The collection of all point-coincidences forms in generic situations a four-dimensional manifold, that is naturally identified with the physical spacetime.

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References found in this work

The Hole Argument.John D. Norton - 1988 - PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association 1988:56 - 64.
On the meaning of the relativity principle and other symmetries.Harvey R. Brown & Roland Sypel - 1995 - International Studies in the Philosophy of Science 9 (3):235 – 253.

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