A tale of two twins

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the twin paradox in special relativity, clarifies existing solutions, and discusses the psychological and philosophical reasons behind its controversy and naming.

Contribution

It provides a simplified, complete solution to the twin paradox, critiques complex methods, and explores the cultural and psychological factors influencing its interpretation.

Findings

Simplified solution aligns with Moller’s original work

Complex solutions often lack validity

The paradox's controversy may stem from psychological biases

Abstract

The thought experiment (called the clock paradox or the twin paradox)proposed by Langevin in 1911 of two observers, one staying on Earth and the other making a trip toward a star with a velocity near the light velocity is very well known for its surprising result. When the traveler comes back, he is younger that the stay on Earth. This astonishing situation deduced from the theory of Special relativity sparked a huge amount of articles, discussions and controversies such it remains a particular phenomenon probably unique in Physics. We propose to study it. First we looked for the simplest solutions when one can observe that the published solutions correspond in fact to two different versions of the experiment. It appears that the complete and simple solution of Moller is neglected for complicated methods with dubious validity. We propose to interpret this avalanche of works by the difficulty to accept the conclusions of the Special Relativity, in particular the difference in times indicated by two clocks, one immobile and the second moving and finally stopping. We also suggest that the name "twin paradox" is maybe related to some subconscious idea concerning conflict between twins as it can be found in the Bible and in several mythologies