Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Chemistry historiography...the not so swift transition, as believed, from the phlogiston theory to Lavoisier’s theory

The discovery of oxygen.

Abstract:

Historians often feel that standard philosophical doctrines about the nature and development of science are not adequate for representing the real history of science. However, when philosophers of science fail to make sense of certain historical events, it is also possible that there is something wrong with the standard historical descriptions of those events, precluding any sensible explanation. If so, philosophical failure can be useful as a guide for improving historiography, and this constitutes a significant mode of productive interaction between the history and the philosophy of science. I illustrate this methodological claim through the case of the Chemical Revolution. I argue that no standard philosophical theory of scientific method can explain why European chemists made a sudden and nearly unanimous switch of allegiance from the phlogiston theory to Lavoisier’s theory. A careful re-examination of the history reveals that the shift was neither so quick nor so unanimous as imagined even by many historians. In closing I offer brief reflections on how best to explain the general drift toward Lavoisier’s theory that did take place.

"The Hidden History of Phlogiston" by Hasok Chang

2 comments:

MissChem said...

I have to write a historiographical essay for the History and Philosophy of Education class. I'm pursuing a master of arts in teaching secondary education chemistry and I want my paper to be about chemistry since that's my subject area. I'm not familiar with writing historiographies. I'm interested in the history of chemistry textbooks. I believe there is too much content in high school chemistry texts and that some of the content is not cognitively appropriate. I believe that is why students don't do as well in high school and some undergraduate chemistry classes. How do I approach this topic historiographically?

Mercury said...

MissChem:

Chemistry historiography is most fascinating and certainly is vital in the teaching of chemistry. It is often overlooked in all educational courses. Maybe the history is too long for it can go as far back as the Greeks. Nevertheless here are some links that may be helpful. The best.

I did my MA on the influence of Nicolas Flamel...mid 14th and early 15th Century alchemist. Alchemists are so misunderstood.

Chemical Heritage Foundation
http://www.chemheritage.org/

HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
http://horizons-2000.org/History%20of%20Western%20Philosophy.html

HYLE/INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PHILOSOPHY OF CHEMISTRY
http://www.hyle.org/

LAVOISIER'S FRIENDS
http://historyofscience.free.fr/Lavoisier-Friends/

Selected Classic Papers from the History of Chemistry
http://web.lemoyne.edu/~giunta/papers.html

The Alchemy Web Site
http://www.alchemywebsite.com/index.html