ABSTRACT
Ernst Mach was a philosopher-scientist whose writings, in the later years of the 19th century and the early years of the 20th century, had a profound influence on Einstein’s development of the theory of relativity. Certain aspects of Mach’s philosophy of science were at first accepted, but later rejected by Einstein. Other aspects of Mach’s scholarship had a strong influence throughout the entire development of relativity theory. In addition, and to my mind, of equal importance, was Mach’s critical and sharp analysis of existing theories and ideas in physics and the philosophy of science, having a very beneficial influence on Einstein’s scientific methodology.
