Variational principles versus their teleological interpretation Cover Image

Zasady wariacyjne a ich teleologiczna interpretacja
Variational principles versus their teleological interpretation

Author(s): Dominika Domaciuk
Subject(s): Philosophy of Science
Published by: Copernicus Center Press
Keywords: variational principles; theology;

Summary/Abstract: In this paper the problem of philosophical interpretation of variational principles is under investigation. The difference between differential and integral principles is presented and the history of various formulations of integral principles is described. It is argued that the teleological interpretation of integral principles is unjustified. Philosophical interpretations of principles of mechanics might only be valuable only if a thorough analysis of both mathematical and linguistic explanations is made.

  • Issue Year: 2008
  • Issue No: 42
  • Page Range: 52-67
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish