Some remarks on Γ-convergence and least squares method

In the study of semicontinuity, relaxation, and Γ-convergence problems, few attention has been devoted, up to now, to questions concerning functionals arising in the study of differential equations or systems by the method of least squares. I think that a systematic study of these functionals could lead to interesting results, as, for instance, a reasonable “variational” definition of “weak solutions” of differential equations or systems.