Can Special Relativity Be Derived from Galilean Mechanics Alone?

Abstract Special relativity is based on the apparent contradiction between two pos-tulates, namely, Galilean vs. c-invariance. We show that anomalies ensue by holding the former postulate alone. In order for Galilean invariance to be consistent, it must hold not only for bodies ’ motions, but also for the signals and forces they exchange. If the latter ones do not obey the Galilean version of the Velocities Addition Law, invari-ance is violated. If, however, they do, causal anomalies, information loss and conser-vation laws ’ violations are bound to occur. These anomalies are largely remedied by introducing waves and fields that disobey Galilean invariance. Therefore, from these inconsistencies within classical mechanics, electromagnetism could be predicted be-fore experiment proved its existence. Special relativity, it might be argued, would then follow naturally, either as a resolution of the resulting conflict or as an extrapo-lation of the path between the theories. We conclude with a review of earlier attempts to base SR on a single postulate, and point out the originality of the present work