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71Has the periodic table been successfully axiomatized?Erkenntnis 47 (2): 229-243. 1997.Although the periodic system of elements is central to the study of chemistry and has been influential in the development of quantum theory and quantum mechanics, its study has been largely neglected in philosophy of science. The present article is a detailed criticism of one notable exception, an attempt by Hettema and Kuipers to axiomatize the periodic table and to discuss the reduction of chemistry in this context.
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17The Philosophy of Chemistry (edited book)Oxford University Press USA. 2016.The philosophy of chemistry has emerged in recent years as a new and autonomous field within the Anglo-American philosophical tradition. With the development of this new discipline, Eric Scerri and Grant Fisher's "Essays in the Philosophy of Chemistry" is a timely and definitive guide to all current thought in this field. This edited volume will serve to map out the distinctive features of the field and its connections to the philosophies of the natural sciences and general philosophy of science…Read more
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109Some Aspects of the Metaphysics of Chemistry and the Nature of the ElementsHyle 11 (2). 2005.There is now a considerable body of published work on the epistemology of modern chemistry, especially with regard to the nature of quantum chemistry. In addition, the question of the metaphysical underpinnings of chemistry has received a good deal of attention. The present article concentrates on metaphysical considerations including the question of whether elements and groups of elements are natural kinds. It is also argued that an appeal to the metaphysical nature of elements can help clarify…Read more
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31Editorial 46Foundations of Chemistry 16 (1): 1-2. 2014.This issue begins the sixteenth year of our publication. It consists of the second part of the special issue dedicated to the late Richard Bader and edited by Cherif Matta one of his former students. For an extensive editorial covering the contents of both parts of the special issue readers should consult issue 3 of volume 15.C. Matta, Special issue: Philosophical aspects and implications of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), Foundations of Chemistry, 15, 3, 245–251 (2013).I would…Read more
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6A Tale of Seven Scientists and a New Philosophy of ScienceOxford University Press USA. 2016.In his latest book, Eric Scerri presents a completely original account of the nature of scientific progress. It consists of a holistic and unified approach in which science is seen as a living and evolving single organism. Instead of scientific revolutions featuring exceptionally gifted individuals, Scerri argues that the "little people" contribute as much as the "heroes" of science. To do this he examines seven case studies of virtually unknown chemists and physicists in the early 20th century …Read more
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25Prediction of the nature of hafnium from chemistry, Bohr's theory and quantum theoryAnnals of Science 51 (2): 137-150. 1994.The chemical nature of element 72, subsequently named hafnium, is generally regarded as a prediction from Bohr's theory of the periodic system and hence as a prediction from quantum theory. It is argued that both of these views and in particular the latter are mistaken. The claim in favour of Bohr's theory is weakened by his accommodation of independent chemical arguments and the claim in favour of quantum theory is untenable since the prediction is not strictly deductive
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141On the formalization of the periodic tablePoznan Studies in the Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities 84 (1): 191-210. 2005.A critique is given of the attempt by Hettema and Kuipers to formalize the periodic table. In particular I dispute their notions of identifying a naïve periodic table with tables having a constant periodicity of eight elements and their views on the different conceptions of the atom by chemists and physicists. The views of Hettema and Kuipers on the reduction of the periodic system to atomic physics are also considered critically.
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164Explaining the periodic table, and the role of chemical triadsFoundations of Chemistry 12 (1): 69-83. 2010.Some recent work in mathematical chemistry is discussed. It is claimed that quantum mechanics does not provide a conclusive means of classifying certain elements like hydrogen and helium into their appropriate groups. An alternative approach using atomic number triads is proposed and the validity of this approach is defended in the light of some predictions made via an information theoretic approach that suggests a connection between nuclear structure and electronic structure of atoms.
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108The electronic configuration model, quantum mechanics and reductionBritish Journal for the Philosophy of Science 42 (3): 309-325. 1991.The historical development of the electronic configuration model is traced and the status of the model with respect to quantum mechanics is examined. The successes and problems raised by the model are explored, particularly in chemical ab initio calculations. The relevance of these issues to whether chemistry has been reduced to quantum mechanics is discussed, as are some general notions on reduction.
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Editorial 48Foundations of Chemistry 16 (3): 175-175. 2014.Having just returned from a science education conference in Brazil I can confirm that there is a great deal of interest in the history and philosophy of chemistry in this country that will be hosting the next ISPC meeting in Rio de Janeiro between July 28th and 30th, 2015. The organizer is Professor Waldmir Araujo Neto who can be contacted at [email protected] for further details.The present issue of Foundations of Chemistry has an even more international flavor than usual with articles fro…Read more
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22Response to Barnes’s critique of Scerri and WorralStudies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 36 (4): 813-816. 2005.
Eric Scerri
UCLA
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UCLADepartment of Chemistry and BiochemistryLecturer