Relativity Theory has a very significant impact on two fields, physical community and the lay public. For the scientists, this theory is a big psychological shock because it throws out some assumptions that they used in almost every experiment before and never thought could be wrong, such as Isaac Newton’s theory of gravitation[1]. When the special theory was published, it was not accepted in the physical community until 1920, since it was apparently in conflict with common sense at that time.
E=MC^2 is a famous formula from theory of relativity
For the layman, or normal people, Relativity Theory is as remote as “the peculiar action of light passing through the sun’s gravitational field”[3]. However, today’s achievements can always affect tomorrow’s daily life. We believe the development of this theory can bring numerous benefits to our descents. Perhaps in 21st century, people will invent some amazing stuff based on this theory.
Expect those two fields, Relativity Theory also has some impacts on philosophy, art and psychology. Prof. Wildon Carr stated that Einstein’s theory was the “death-knell of materialism”[4]. For the art, Thomas Jewell Craven argues that this revolutionary theory is the latest example of the “eternal kinship between art and science”[5]. With regards to psychology, Paul Chatham Squires claims the most charming chapter in psychology, which is unrevealed to the layman, affords a “striking comparison of a new movement in psychology with the principle of relativity”[6].
To sum up, Relativity Theory has many influences on different fields, but the similarity is this theory is driving a revolution in each of them more or less. It is promoting the development of human history. That is why it can be called one of the most important achievements of Albert Einstein.
[1]Abraham Paris, “Knowledge and Belief: The Impact of Einstein’s Relativity Theory,” American Scientist, 76:2 (1988): 157.
[2] “Theory of Relativity,” The Muslim Observer, last modified March 12, 2009, accessed November 13, 2014. http://muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=3739.
[3] H. Wildon Carr, “Metaphysics and Materialism,” in Relativity Theory: Its Origins and Impact on Modern Thought, L. Pearce Williams (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1968), 131.
[4] Hugh Elliot, “Relativity and Materialism,” in Relativity Theory: Its Origins and Impact on Modern Thought, L. Pearce Williams (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1968), 133.
[5] Thomas J. Craven, “Art and Relativity,” in Relativity Theory: Its Origins and Impact on Modern Thought, L. Pearce Williams (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1968), 136.
[6] Paul C. Squires, “A New Psychology after the Manner of Einstein,” in Relativity Theory: Its Origins and Impact on Modern Thought, L. Pearce Williams (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1968), 140.
The Famous 