The Dühring Affair

The Dühring Affair involved the German philosopher and historian of science, Paul Dühring, who promoted radical anti-relativist ideas, contradicting Einstein's theories of relativity. In 1919, during a debate on science and philosophy, Dühring published critical attacks against Einstein and modern physics, claiming they were flawed. Einstein responded publicly, defending his work and exposing Dühring's inaccuracies. The controversy highlighted tensions between traditional philosophical viewpoints and emerging scientific theories. Ultimately, Einstein's clarifications reinforced the acceptance of relativity and underscored the importance of scientific rigor in debates about foundational principles.