What does this research mean for the field?

Einstein's contemporary writings during the development of general relativity contradict his later retrospective claims that he derived the field equations simply by choosing the mathematically most natural candidate. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to explore how Einstein developed the field equations of general relativity and the influences on his thinking.

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October 31, 2015

Arch and scaffold: How Einstein found his field equations

Key Points

The aim is to explore how Einstein developed the field equations of general relativity and the influences on his thinking.
Analysis of Einstein's writings during the development of general relativity.
Contextual examination of his claims about the naturalness of mathematical choices.
Einstein's own writings reveal complexities in his method of deriving field equations.
Mathematical choices were influenced by physical intuition and empirical considerations.

Abstract

In his later years, Einstein often claimed that he had obtained the field equations of general relativity by choosing the mathematically most natural candidate. His writings during the period in which he developed general relativity tell a different story.

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