On Tensorial Concomitants and the Non-Existence of a Gravitational Stress-Energy Tensor

Understand

The question of the existence of gravitational stress-energy in general relativity has exercised investigators in the field since the inception of the theory.

• Folklore has it that no adequate definition of a localized gravitational stress-energetic quantity can be given.
• Most arguments to that effect invoke one version or another of the Principle of Equivalence.
• I argue that not only are such arguments of necessity vague and hand-waving but, worse, are beside the point and do not address the heart of the issue.