Hamiltonian Privilege
Name
10670_2023_Article_708.pdf
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1.3 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
b5193dbeedd0ad79886bad0e714a71a6
Author(s)
Hunt, Josh
Carcassi, Gabriele
Aidala, Christine A.
Date Issued
June 21, 2023
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Citation
Hunt, Josh, Carcassi, Gabriele and Aidala, Christine. 2023. "Hamiltonian Privilege."
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Abstract
We argue that Hamiltonian mechanics is more fundamental than Lagrangian mechanics. Our argument provides a non-metaphysical strategy for privileging one formulation of a theory over another: ceteris paribus, a more general formulation is more fundamental. We illustrate this criterion through a novel interpretation of classical mechanics, based on three physical conditions. Two of these conditions suffice for recovering Hamiltonian mechanics. A third condition is necessary for Lagrangian mechanics. Hence, Lagrangian systems are a proper subset of Hamiltonian systems. Finally, we provide a geometric interpretation of the principle of stationary action and rebut arguments for privileging Lagrangian mechanics.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Linguistics and Philosophy
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10670-023-00708-0
