This book addresses themes in the newly emerging discipline of
philosophy of chemistry, in particular issues in connection with
discussions in general philosophy of science on natural kinds,
reduction and ceteris paribus laws. The philosophical issue
addressed in all chapters is the relation between, on the one hand,
the manifest image (the daily practice or common-sense-life-form)
and on the other the scientific image, both of which claim to be
the final arbiter of "everything."
With respect to chemistry, the question raised is this: Where
does this branch of science fit in, with the manifest or scientific
image? Most philosophers and chemists probably would reply
unhesitatingly, the scientific image. The aim of this book is to
raise doubts about that self-evidence. It is argued that chemistry
is primarily the science of manifest substances, whereas micro or
submicro scientific talk though important, useful, and insightful
does not change what matters, namely the properties of manifest
substances.
These manifest substances, their properties and uses cannot be
reduced to talk of molecules or solutions of the Schrodinger
equation. If submicroscopic quantum mechanics were to be wrong, it
would not affect all (or any) microlevel chemical knowledge of
molecules. If molecular chemistry were to be wrong, it wouldn't
disqualify knowledge of, say, water not at the macrolevel (e.g. its
viscosity at 50 C), nor at the pre- or protoscientific manifest
level (e.g. ice is frozen water)."
General
Imprint: |
Leuven University Press
|
Country of origin: |
Belgium |
Release date: |
2000 |
First published: |
2000 |
Authors: |
Jaap van Brakel
|
Dimensions: |
239 x 160 x 5mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
260 |
ISBN-13: |
978-90-5867-063-2 |
Subtitles: |
English
|
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
90-5867-063-5 |
Barcode: |
9789058670632 |
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