The Bianchi Identities in the Generalized Theory of Gravitation

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Abstract
1. General remarks. The heuristic strength of the general principle of relativity lies in the fact that it considerably reduces the number of imaginable sets of field equations; the field equations must be covariant with respect to all continuous transformations of the four coordinates. But the problem becomes mathematically well-defined only if we have postulated the dependent variables which are to occur in the equations, and their transformation properties (field-structure). But even if we have chosen the field-structure (in such a way that there exist sufficiently strong relativistic field-equations), the principle of relativity does not determine the field-equations uniquely. The principle of “logical simplicity” must be added (which, however, cannot be formulated in a non-arbitrary way). Only then do we have a definite theory whose physical validity can be tested a posteriori.

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