Epistemic relativity: An experimental approach to physics

TL;DR

This paper introduces epistemic relativity, integrating the observer's knowledge into physical problems using relativistic positioning and stereometric systems, enabling experiments within finite regions of space-time.

Contribution

It proposes the concepts of relativistic positioning and stereometric systems as new tools for experimental and theoretical physics in general relativity.

Findings

Introduction of relativistic positioning systems (RPS)

Development of relativistic stereometric systems (RSS)

Framework for experiments in finite space-time regions

Abstract

The recent concept of {\em relativistic positioning system} (RPS) has opened the possibility of making Relativity the {\em general standard frame} in which to state any physical problem, theoretical or experimental. Because the velocity of propagation of the information is finite, {\em epistemic relativity} proposes to integrate the physicist as a real component of every physical problem, taking into account explicitly {\em what} information, {\em when} and {\em where}, the physicist is able to know. This leads naturally to the concept of {\em relativistic stereometric system} (RSS), allowing to measure the intrinsic properties of physical systems. Together, RPSs and RSSs complete the notion of {\em laboratory} in general relativity, allowing to perform experiments in finite regions of any space-time. Epistemic relativity incites the development of relativity in new open directions: advanced studies in RPSs and RSSs, intrinsic characterization of gravitational fields, composition laws for them, construction of a finite-differential geometry adapted to RPSs and RSSs, covariant approximation methods, etc. Some of these directions are sketched here, and some open problems are posed. \end{abstract} \noindent I want the organizers of this seminar, Dirk P\"utzfeld and Claus L\"ammerzahl, to know how much I appreciated their inviting me to talk about my ideas on this subject. It is also a pleasure to thanks the Wilhelm und Else Heraeus-Stiftung for their kind hospitality.