ar X iv : g r - qc / 0 30 41 06 v 1 2 9 A pr 2 00 3 Gravitation without the equivalence principle

In Einstein's general relativistic description of gravitation, geometry replaces the concept of force. This is possible because of the universal character of free fall and would break down in its absence. On the other hand, the teleparallel version of general relativity is a gauge theory for the translation group and, as such, describes the gravitational interaction by a force similar to the Lorentz force of electromagnetism, a non-universal interaction. Relying on this point it is shown that, in the absence of the weak equivalence principle, although the geometric description of general relativity breaks down, the teleparallel gauge approach remains a consistent theory for gravitation.