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

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"This book introduces Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz's Principle of Optimality and argues that it plays a central role his physics and philosophy, with profound implications for both. Each chapter begins with an introduction to one of Leibniz's ground-breaking studies in natural philosophy...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: McDonough, Jeffrey K. (Author)
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2022]
Subjects:
Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm, > Freiherr von, > 1646-1716.
Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm, > Freiherr von, > 1646-1716
Teleology.
Physics > Philosophy.
Finalité.
Physique > Philosophie.
PHILOSOPHY.
Modern.
History & Surveys.
Physics > Philosophy
Teleology
Electronic books.
Online Access:Connect to the full text of this electronic book
Table of Contents:
  • Cover
  • A Miracle Creed
  • Copyright
  • Contents
  • Acknowledgments
  • Abbreviations
  • 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
  • Bibliography
  • Index.