Abstract

In this paper we show that with the use of hyperbolic functions calculus the Einstein formula for velocity addition and the Lorentz transform formulae can be both derived from the Minkowski space-time formula. This simply means that the formulae are fully consistent, although it says nothing about the physical meaning of the symbols used. We claim that two different versions of physical interpretation of the formulae are possible. In the Special Relativity Theory moving objects are considered in two different inertial frames of reference. Except for the Minkowski proper time, other physical quantities are considered as relative. It is believed that even the simultaneity is relative. We propose something quite different, a notion in which we have adopted: the Minkowski formulae as the definition of a local time, proper time as the universal time, relative distance as the absolute distance, and relative time as the local time. In the Minkowski space-time (one frame of reference only) we consider the following: two observers A and B (moving or stationary), their distances from the origin of coordinates and resulting local times. When the distance remains unchanged, i.e. the object or the observer do not move, the difference between the indication of local time and the indication of universal time is constant. With the change of distance (the object or the person moves) the local time depends on an absolute velocity of that movement. In the theory of local time there is no relativity of simultaneity. When comparing the two possible versions of interpretation it is evident that the theory of local time is at least as believable as the Special Relativity Theory.