Is General Relativity a (partial) Return of Aristotelian Physics?

TL;DR

This paper explores how modern physics, especially General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory, reflect Aristotelian ideas about natural and enforced motion, highlighting their historical and conceptual connections.

Contribution

It analyzes the philosophical parallels between Aristotelian physics and modern theories, proposing that current physics exhibits a partial return to Aristotelian distinctions.

Findings

General Relativity describes gravity as spacetime curvature, not a force.

Modern physics reflects Aristotelian natural and enforced motion distinctions.

The incompatibility of General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory echoes historical philosophical debates.

Abstract

Aristotle has split physics at the sphere of the moon; above this sphere there is no change except eternal spherical motion, below are two different kinds of motion: Natural motion (without specific cause) and enforced motion. In modern view motion is caused by gravity and by other forces. The split at the sphere of the moon has been definitely overcome through the observation of a supernova and several comets by Tycho Brahe. The second distinction was eradicated by Isaak Newton who showed that gravitational motion was caused by a force proportional to the inverse square of the distance. By the theory of General Relativity, Albert Einstein showed that there is no gravitational force but motion under gravity (i.e. Aristotles <natural motion>) is caused by the curved geometry of spacetime. In this way, the Aristotelian distinction between natural motion and enforced motion has come back in the form of two great theories: General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory which are today incompatible. To find a way out of this dilemma is the challenge of modern physics.