Theoretical analysis of axioms in physics reveals criteria for valid physical theories and their evolution.
Physical theories are built on axioms, and their merits depend on the depth and number of axioms. Newtonian mechanics adopts dual mass definitions plus an "equivalence hypothesis" as a patch; general relativity elevates the weak equivalence principle to a postulate, yet it remains a concrete physical assumption; the Time Field Theory (TFT) sinks its axioms to the meta-logical level of metric ontology and self-consistency, making the equivalence principle and the equivalence of inertial and gravitational mass natural corollaries. This paper further argues that a complete physical theory must simultaneously satisfy two constitutive criteria: deductive reasoning from axioms and falsifiable quantitative predictions. TFT forms a complete closed loop in both dimensions. Axioms are conventional logical starting points, and experiments can only verify corollaries rather than prove axioms themselves — no matter how high the precision of the Eötvös experiment reaches, it only narrows the failure boundary instead of granting a certificate of "absolute truth". The iteration of theories stems from the gradual deepening of axiom depth, rather than the negation of previous theories.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Huowang Huang (2026) studied this question.