17 - Toward a revision of the protophysics of time

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The first purpose of this paper is to raise questions about the epistemological status of some of the principles of protophysics, particularly of the protophysics of time (Section 2). Reasons will be given for doubting that their status can be adequately clarified unless there is a retrenchment of the protophysical program. The second purpose is to suggest a revision of the protophysical program (Sections 3 and 4): instead of making the methodology of space and time measurements strictly prior to physics, this methodology should be developed in tandem with physics. A discussion of Newton's treatment of absolute time will give the proposed revision some historical and conceptual specificity. The third purpose is to indicate briefly the implications of the proposed revision for relativistic kinematics and for epistemology in general (Section 5).

THE EPISTEMOLOGICAL STATUS OF PROTOPHYSICAL PRINCIPLES

Some quotations from P. Janich's Protophysics of Time will be useful starting points for analysis.

[I]t was my intention to … formulate as a first part of the reconstruction of physical terminology those established postulates (Festsetzungen) which in linguistic and non-linguistic respects are at the basis of the art of measurement as practiced by physicists. As the guiding principle of these reconstruction efforts I meant to apply the principle of methodical order according to which – on the basis of extrascientific speech and action, i.e., independently of the results of modern physics – all linguistic and non-linguistic steps required for an operative definition were to be enumerated in such a way that in doing so neither gaps nor circles would occur.