Chemistry: the impure science

by Bensaude-Vincent, Bernadette

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Title Statements

Full title :Chemistry : the impure science / Bernadette Bensaude-Vincent, Jonathan Simon.

Summary

What do you associate with chemistry? Explosions, innovative materials, plastics, pollution? The public's confused and contradictory conception of chemistry as basic science, industrial producer and polluter contributes to what we present in this book as chemistry's image as an impure science. Historically, chemistry has always been viewed as impure both in terms of its academic status and its role in transforming modern society. While exploring the history of this science we argue for a characteristic philosophical approach that distinguishes chemistry from physics. This reflection leads us to a philosophical stance that we characterise as operational realism. In this new expanded edition we delve deeper into the questions of properties and potentials that are so important for this philosophy that is based on the manipulation of matter rather than the construction of theories.

Edition Statements

Publication Date:©2012.
Edition:2nd ed

Publication Statements

Publisher(s):Distributed by World Scientific Pub, Imperial College Press
Place of Publication:London
Language:eng
Publication Date:©2012.

The Physical Object

Description:xvi, 278 pages : : illustrations ; : 24 cm

Edition Identifiers

ISBN:9781848168114, 184816811X
oclc:ocn799794646
LC Classification:QD6
Dewey Decimal:540.1

Introduction: Chemistry and its discontents -- Chemistry and pollution -- The damnation of the alchemist -- The space of the laboratory -- Proof in the laboratory -- Chemistry creates its object -- A duel between two conceptions of matter -- Chemistry versus physics -- Atoms or elements -- Positivism and chemistry -- Atoms as fictions -- Agency and relations -- Taming the nanoworld -- Towards a responsible chemistry.