Clarifying the foundations of Teleparallel Gravity: translational gauge freedom vs. local Lorentz invariance

Abstract

Teleparallel Gravity (TPG) is an alternative, but empirically equivalent, spacetime theory to General Relativity. In its modern formulation, TPG purports to be both a gauge theory of translations (G), as well as locally Lorentz-invariant (L). However, the reasoning invoked in order to implement (L) and (G) is often involved. As such, clarification of the reasoning upon which TPG proponents rely in constructing their theory is sorely needed. The present paper will address this need. It will also offer a succinct methodolog ical assessment of TPG as a theory per se .