Mach, the Universe, and Foundations of Mechanics
arXiv:1108.3059 · doi:10.1002/andp.201100305
Abstract
Barbour's response to our recent paper on "Mach's principle and higher-dimensional dynamics" describes an approach to Mach's principle in which the universe as a whole is involved in the definition of inertial frames of reference. Moreover, Barbour's theoretical procedure is in agreement with general relativity for a finite universe that is spatially closed. However, we prefer an operational approach that relies ultimately on observational data.
3 pages, response to Barbour's paper (arXiv:1108.3057)