Thus, the appearance of Dalton atomic theory was stimulative for our considerations about the nature of the formation of new scientific concepts and ideas. It is
a matter of speculation whether Dalton has used the inductive method, i.e., from
observation and measuring to atomic theory, or he was already, in advance, fascinated with the old-standing atomic theory as a heuristic model that should be
either confirmed or rejected by experiments. Undoubtedly, Karl Popper would be
inclined to the second explanation.
After Dalton, the science is extended with additional questions and uncertainties:
Are atoms a sort of ad hoc hypothesis? Has the discovery of atoms re-established
the Democritian system? Is phlogiston an ad hoc hypothesis? Is the discovery of
electron, about which I will talk in the XI lecture, in the same way vindicated the
idea about phlogiston, or not?
9.1 Conclusions
Quantitative chemical experiments have changed the epistemology of this science.
By accurate measuring of masses before and after the chemical reaction, Lavoisier
has discovered the Law of conservation of masses. Starting with two quantitative
laws that he discovered, Dalton has been able to take a look deeper in the nature of
the microcosm, and to discover its atomic structure. Both, atomic theory and
quantitative laws represent the base for the conceptualization of the future structural
theory. Analyzing the concepts of atoms that can combine in complex substances
with corresponding elemental composition led us to new approach to the more
general philosophical question about the identity problem.
References
1. Szabadváry F (1962) The birth of stoichiometry. J Chem Ed 39:267
2. Rocke AJ (1984) Chemical Atomism from Dalton to Cannizzaro, Columbus.
3. Needham P (2000) Atomic notation and atomistic hypotheses. Found Chem 2:127–180
78
9 Atoms and Molecules
a matter of speculation whether Dalton has used the inductive method, i.e., from
observation and measuring to atomic theory, or he was already, in advance, fascinated with the old-standing atomic theory as a heuristic model that should be
either confirmed or rejected by experiments. Undoubtedly, Karl Popper would be
inclined to the second explanation.
After Dalton, the science is extended with additional questions and uncertainties:
Are atoms a sort of ad hoc hypothesis? Has the discovery of atoms re-established
the Democritian system? Is phlogiston an ad hoc hypothesis? Is the discovery of
electron, about which I will talk in the XI lecture, in the same way vindicated the
idea about phlogiston, or not?
9.1 Conclusions
Quantitative chemical experiments have changed the epistemology of this science.
By accurate measuring of masses before and after the chemical reaction, Lavoisier
has discovered the Law of conservation of masses. Starting with two quantitative
laws that he discovered, Dalton has been able to take a look deeper in the nature of
the microcosm, and to discover its atomic structure. Both, atomic theory and
quantitative laws represent the base for the conceptualization of the future structural
theory. Analyzing the concepts of atoms that can combine in complex substances
with corresponding elemental composition led us to new approach to the more
general philosophical question about the identity problem.
References
1. Szabadváry F (1962) The birth of stoichiometry. J Chem Ed 39:267
2. Rocke AJ (1984) Chemical Atomism from Dalton to Cannizzaro, Columbus.
3. Needham P (2000) Atomic notation and atomistic hypotheses. Found Chem 2:127–180
78
9 Atoms and Molecules