Contrary to Einstein, the Human Observer and Knowledge are Critical to the Relativity of Simultaneity in Special Relativity: Rock, the Psychologist’s, Importance and the Logical Nature of c + v and c – v

The relativity of simultaneity is at the heart of special relativity. It is the relativity of simultaneity in special relativity as opposed to absolute time in pre-relativity physics that leads to the different kinematic and dynamic results between special relativity and pre-relativity physics. Cognition and logic that are at the heart of the relativity of simultaneity in special relativity. Rock’s work on induced self-motion and induced self-rest, including an experiment, supports this idea. A detailed analysis of Einstein’s arguments on the relativity of simultaneity is presented. Einstein maintained that physical measurements are necessary in all instances in his argument. It is shown that logic and cognition replace the apparent need proposed by Einstein for certain physical measurements to demonstrate the relativity of simultaneity. The importance of cognition and logic occurs because of Rock’s empirical finding that a moving human observer can experience himself at rest but cannot experience himself at rest if he knows that he is moving. This human observer experiencing himself at rest in one inertial reference frame can deduce that the simultaneity in his frame does not extend to the other moving frame. The relativity of simultaneity involves two reference frames moving at a constant velocity relative to one another. Rock’s empirical finding allows for the argument on the relativity of simultaneity to made in either direction, i.e. with either reference frame the “stationary” reference frame while the other reference frame is the “moving” reference frame. Without Rock’s findings, there would be a preferred reference frame and special relativity would not be possible. The work discussed here regarding special relativity indicates that oscillating electric fields and magnetic fields arising from the brain are likely the link between body and mind, including consciousness since electromagnetic phenomena can ONLY be correctly understood in special relativity.