Reference: Essays on Substance
Is Aether still there?
The concept of aether is currently a black box that has been filled with various conjectures since ancient times. Einstein’s theory of relativity rendered classical luminiferous aether unnecessary as a medium for light. However, Einstein did not get completely rid of aether. In 1920, during a lecture at the University of Leiden, Einstein discussed the idea of a relativistic aether, which was fundamentally different from the classical luminiferous aether.
This new concept of aether in Einstein’s view was not a material substance with mechanical properties, but rather a way to describe the physical qualities of space itself. Einstein stated, “According to the general theory of relativity space is endowed with physical qualities. In this sense there exists an aether. Space without an aether is unthinkable.”
Einstein was right. Space is defined in terms of dimensions, and the dimensions must belong to some substance. The theory of Substance postulates aether to be that aspect of THOUGHT that can be sensed. We all have sensed when somebody is looking at us, even when that person is out of our sight. This happens often in a crowded space, such as, an airport.
Modern cosmology has introduced concepts such as dark matter and dark energy. These are conjectures derived from inconsistencies observed in the calculations of gravitational influences at cosmic scale. Of course, these conjectures are different from earlier conjectures used to fill the black box of aether; but they are black enough to be held in a black box.
.
