Stephen Hales (1677–1771) who has isolated it as a product of fermentation, and
degradation of biological material.
The air that could be fixed or released, used as a scientific model system, has
played a critical role not only in the final rejection of the idea about four elements,
but also in the introduction of the discrete—the atomistic concept about the
structure of matter. The scientific sceptic Robert Boyle (1627–1691) in his work
The Sceptical Chymist (1661), written as a dramatic dialogue among the four
representatives of different opinions, has finally discarded the concept about the
four elements that has been useless in explanations of a plenty of observations
collected during the long history of alchemical practice. Boyle has developed the
idea about elements in two directions, from the opinion that this concept is
unnecessary at all, till the redefinition of the element as a “materialized category”,
i.e. directly related to the experimental practice. The notion “element” is in such a
way transformed into “elementary stuff” that can be characterized by observations,
for instance as a substance that cannot be decomposed by chemical methods. Such a
transition from the metaphysical to experienced elementary matter [1] is the
excellent example of the empiricistic epistemology that was actual in the period of
Enlightenment. It is important to point out that from such a “materialistic” definition of element follows the opinion, that the number of elements is not closed. Thus,
the World, the Universe is open!
After these Boylean examinations, the discussion about elements has started its
road towards the scientific revolution in chemistry: what is chemical element at all,
the substance, or an abstract concept? Boyle stood up also for the revitalization of
the atomistic representation of microcosm. Minima naturalia, how Boyle has called
the Leucippus-Democritian atoms are the basic particles of elements, the barriers of
their observable properties.
Robert Boyle has his interest for airs (gases) extended with the additional
examinations in the way, that this new methodology became one of the key factors
which have played the role in the appearance of scientific revolution. He has
examined the relationship between pressure and volume of air by introducing
accurate measuring and the method of correlation of the obtained parameters. The
dependence of pressure on the volume is possible to analyse quantitatively only in
one case: if all the other conditions are unchanged—constant—the principle which
is in epistemology called Ceteris paribus [2]. In the Boyles example, the temperature should be constant, and the experimental system should be isolated. Experiment in isolated systems became the basic condition for all the quantitative
approaches to research. The result was the rigorous law about the constant product
of pressure and volume –the Boyle-Mariotte law. Edme Mariotte (1620–1684) has
independently discovered the same law.
Ceteris paribus methodology has opened the door for new science. Remember
that all physical laws are Ceteris paribus laws, what means that they are valid only
within the a priori given conditions and presumptions [3].
Boyles contemporary John Mayow (1641–1679) has systematically built the
isolated experimental constructions for the study of various airs. His experiment
with the candle that float on water and glows below the glass cylinder is known
60
7 Ceteris Paribus
degradation of biological material.
The air that could be fixed or released, used as a scientific model system, has
played a critical role not only in the final rejection of the idea about four elements,
but also in the introduction of the discrete—the atomistic concept about the
structure of matter. The scientific sceptic Robert Boyle (1627–1691) in his work
The Sceptical Chymist (1661), written as a dramatic dialogue among the four
representatives of different opinions, has finally discarded the concept about the
four elements that has been useless in explanations of a plenty of observations
collected during the long history of alchemical practice. Boyle has developed the
idea about elements in two directions, from the opinion that this concept is
unnecessary at all, till the redefinition of the element as a “materialized category”,
i.e. directly related to the experimental practice. The notion “element” is in such a
way transformed into “elementary stuff” that can be characterized by observations,
for instance as a substance that cannot be decomposed by chemical methods. Such a
transition from the metaphysical to experienced elementary matter [1] is the
excellent example of the empiricistic epistemology that was actual in the period of
Enlightenment. It is important to point out that from such a “materialistic” definition of element follows the opinion, that the number of elements is not closed. Thus,
the World, the Universe is open!
After these Boylean examinations, the discussion about elements has started its
road towards the scientific revolution in chemistry: what is chemical element at all,
the substance, or an abstract concept? Boyle stood up also for the revitalization of
the atomistic representation of microcosm. Minima naturalia, how Boyle has called
the Leucippus-Democritian atoms are the basic particles of elements, the barriers of
their observable properties.
Robert Boyle has his interest for airs (gases) extended with the additional
examinations in the way, that this new methodology became one of the key factors
which have played the role in the appearance of scientific revolution. He has
examined the relationship between pressure and volume of air by introducing
accurate measuring and the method of correlation of the obtained parameters. The
dependence of pressure on the volume is possible to analyse quantitatively only in
one case: if all the other conditions are unchanged—constant—the principle which
is in epistemology called Ceteris paribus [2]. In the Boyles example, the temperature should be constant, and the experimental system should be isolated. Experiment in isolated systems became the basic condition for all the quantitative
approaches to research. The result was the rigorous law about the constant product
of pressure and volume –the Boyle-Mariotte law. Edme Mariotte (1620–1684) has
independently discovered the same law.
Ceteris paribus methodology has opened the door for new science. Remember
that all physical laws are Ceteris paribus laws, what means that they are valid only
within the a priori given conditions and presumptions [3].
Boyles contemporary John Mayow (1641–1679) has systematically built the
isolated experimental constructions for the study of various airs. His experiment
with the candle that float on water and glows below the glass cylinder is known
60
7 Ceteris Paribus