A Logical Analysis of the Two Widely Spread Misinterpretations of the Well Established Results of the Special Theory of Relativity

Abstract

By a rigorous logical analysis we show that the Ehrenfest paradox related to the relativistically rotating disc is not a paradox of the Special Theory of Relativity as it is usually treated in the literature because, as we proved rigorously, it does not follow from the principles of the Special Theory of Relativity but — contrary to this — contradicts them. We also analyse the logical status of the widely spread statement “moving clocks go slow” within the framework of the Special Theory of Relativity. Using the methods of the symbolic logic we show that this statement with correct interpretation of the meaning of the notion that the clock goes slow is, strictly speaking, at least misleading. We discuss the obtained results.