Neo-Newtonian Spacetime (p. 202)
The Neo-Newtonian spacetime is a whole of event-locations (events, for short), such that, between any two events, there is an absolute temporal separation (including zero separation, or simultaneity) which is not relative to any reference frame, or state of motion. Thus there is an absolute notion of simultaneity, so that a class of events that are simultaneous may be regarded as forming a space. See the figure.
This notion of Neo-Newtonian spacetime is needed in order to compare various space-time theories in a fair manner. The original Newtonian space and time is hard to compare directly with the special relativity or the general relativity, because the formalism is different. And this led to some confusions in Einstein himself and in later writers such as Schlick or Reichenbach.
Read carefully how spacetime formulation enables us to reconstruct absolute notions of simultaneity or acceleration.
Last modified March 31, 2003. (c) Soshichi Uchii
