A miracle creed : the principle of optimality in Leibniz's physics and philosophy / Jeffrey K. McDonough.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McDonough, Jeffrey K., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm, Freiherr von, 1646-1716.

Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm.

Teleology.

Physics--Philosophy.

Physics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiv, 234 pages) : illustrations

Other Title:

Principle of optimality in Leibniz's physics and philosophy

Place of Publication:

New York, New York : Oxford University Press, [2022]

Summary:

A rival to Isaac Newton in mathematics and physics, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz believed that our world--the best of all possible worlds--must be governed by optimality principles. Jeffrey McDonough explores the pursuit of optimality through five of his most important works in natural philosophy and shows how thinking about optimality bridges his scientific and philosophical studies. Chapters include discussions of Leibniz's understanding of teleology, the nature of bodies, laws of nature, and free will. The final chapter explores the legacy of Leibniz's physics in light of his work on optimal form.

Contents:

Introduction

1. Optics and Immanent Lawful Teleology

1.1. A Unitary Principle for Optics (1682)

1.2. Immanent Lawful Teleology

1.3. An Old Myth about Teleology?

1.3.1. First Objection: Thin Teleology Isn't Genuine Teleology

1.3.2. Second Objection: Immanent Lawful Teleology Isn't (Even) Thin Teleology

1.4. Two Realms Revisited

1.5. Conclusion

2. Rigid Beams and the Foundations of Physics

2.1. New Proofs Concerning the Resistance of Solids (1684)

2.2. A Model for Leibnizian Forces

2.3. A Model for Leibnizian Bodies

2.4. Are Monads Spatial Per Se?

2.5. Conclusion

3. Vis viva and the Origins of Leibniz's Natural Philosophy

3.1. A Brief Demonstration of a Notable Error (1686)

3.2. Contingency

3.3. Providence

3.4. Entelechies

3.5. Conclusion

4. Hanging Chains and Monadic Agency

4.1. A String Bending under its Own Weight (1691)

4.2. An Unlikely Model of the Will

4.3. Non-​optimal Agency and Bayle's Dog

4.4. Optimal Form and a Role for Reason

4.5. Conclusion

5. Falling Bodies and the Rise of Variational Mechanics

5.1. The Problem of the Brachistochrone (1696)

5.2. The Triumph of Variational Principles

5.3. Derivative Principles?

5.3.1. An Incomplete Mechanics?

5.3.2. An Unexplanatory Mechanics?

5.3.3. An Upside-​Down Mechanics?

5.4. Conclusion

Epilogue.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-19-762910-5

0-19-762908-3

0-19-762909-1

OCLC:

1268545033