Action Principles and Teleology

Stöltzner, Michael

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-48647-0_3

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…In other variational principles, many characteristics take a minimal or maximal value from all possible values. These could include: the optical length, constraint, proper time, curvature of space-time, and thermodynamic potentials (Lanczos, 1986;Landau & Lifshitz, 1975;Stöltzner, 1994;Lemons, 1997;Goldstein et al, 2002;Yourgrau & Mandelstam, 1968;Taylor & Wheeler, 2000;Papastavridis, 2002;Sieniutycz & Farkas, 2005;Hanc & Taylor, 2004;Ogborn & Taylor, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Today, in spite of Planck's hope, the PLA is generally accepted only as a mathematical tool equivalent to the differential equations of motion (Yourgrau & Mandelstam, 1968, p. 178f). However, some physicists have tried to clarify the foundations of the variational principles (Polac, 1959;Asseev, 1977;Lanczos, 1986;Stöltzner, 1994Stöltzner, , 2003Yourgrau & Mandelstam, 1968;Wang, 2008). At the same time, as Butterfield (2004a) stressed, this topic seems wholly ignored in the philosophical literature about variational principles.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Metaphysics of the principle of least action

Terekhovich

2018

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in

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Despite the importance of the variational principles of physics, there have been relatively few attempts to consider them for a realistic framework. In addition to the old teleological question, this paper continues the recent discussion regarding the modal involvement of the principle of least action and its relations with the Humean view of the laws of nature. The reality of possible paths in the principle of least action is examined from the perspectives of the contemporary metaphysics of modality and Leibniz's concept of essences or possibles striving for existence. I elaborate a modal interpretation of the principle of least action that replaces a classical representation of a system's motion along a single history in the actual modality by simultaneous motions along an infinite set of all possible histories in the possible modality. This model is based on an intuition that deep ontological connections exist between the possible paths in the principle of least action and possible quantum histories in the Feynman path integral. I interpret the action as a physical measure of the essence of every possible history. Therefore only one actual history has the highest degree of the essence and minimal action. To address the issue of necessity, I assume that the principle of least action has a general physical necessity and lies between the laws of motion with a limited physical necessity and certain laws with a metaphysical necessity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metaphysics of the principle of least action

Terekhovich

2018

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in

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“…Apparently, because there are vestiges of teleology in the principle of least action, for example. SeeStöltzner (1994).4 See Physics III.…”

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confidence: 99%

Infinities as Natural Places

Neves

2018

Found Sci

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It is shown that a notion of natural place is possible within modern physics. For Aristotle, the elements-the primary components of the world-follow to their natural places in the absence of forces. On the other hand, in general relativity, the so-called Carter-Penrose diagrams offer a notion of end for objects along the geodesics. Then, the notion of natural place in Aristotelian physics has an analog in the notion of conformal infinities in general relativity.

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“…This issue is taken up in McDonough 2008. For discussion of some issues raised neither there nor below, see Stöltzner (1994, 1999, and 2000).…”

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confidence: 99%

Leibniz on Natural Teleology and the Laws of Optics

McDonough

2009

Philos Phenomenol Research

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This essay examines one of the cornerstones of Leibniz's defense of teleology within the order of nature. The first section explores Leibniz's contributions to the study of geometrical optics, and argues that his introduction of the "Most Determined Path Principle" or "MDPP" allows him to bring to the fore philosophical issues concerning the legitimacy of teleological explanations by addressing two technical objections raised by Cartesians to non-mechanistic derivations of the laws of optics. The second section argues that, by drawing on laws such as the MDPP, Leibniz is able to introduce a thin notion of teleology that gives him the resources to respond to the most pressing charges of his day against teleological explanations within natural philosophy. Finally, the third section argues that contemporary philosophers have been overly hasty in their dismissal of Leibniz's account of natural teleology, and indeed that their own generally thin conceptions of teleology have left them with few well-motivated resources for resisting his elegant position.

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Action Principles and Teleology

Cited by 21 publications

References 5 publications

Metaphysics of the principle of least action

Metaphysics of the principle of least action

Infinities as Natural Places

Leibniz on Natural Teleology and the Laws of Optics

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