What Is A Chemical Element?

This volume marks a maturation in the field of philosophy of chemistry...Whether or not the reader is already acquainted with the problem of the element concept, they will find something of interest in this volume, as it builds upon recent literature without assuming a deep familiarity. * Nicholas W. Best, Metascience *
Essential reading for anyone with an interest in the philosophy of Cognitive Science. * Ray Buchanan, Alex Grzankowsk, Metascience *
Whether or not the reader is already acquainted with the problem of the element concept, they will find something of interest in this volume, as it builds upon recent literature without assuming a deep familiarity. They will find multiple answers to the question, 'What is a chemical element?' * Nicholas W. Best, Western Sydney University, Metascience *
This work will be of interest especially to philosophers and historians of science and of chemistry, as well as to practicing chemists and students of chemistry. * R. E. Buntrock, CHOICE *
The essays in this book examine the concept of "element" from a variety of schools of thought, and they should prove interesting and informative to philosophers and historians of science in addition to practicing scientists (especially chemists) with a philosophical bent . . . the authors do a commendable job of illustrating the historical and philosophical points using chemical concepts that should be understandable to anyone who has completed a first-year undergraduate chemistry course. Similarly, most philosophical concepts used . . . are explained for the benefit of readers trained in natural science but not academic philosophy. The book is thus suitable for readers with a wide range of interests and academic backgrounds, and will surely stimulate many useful further discussions and debates. * W. Christopher Boyd, Department of Chemistry, Cleveland State University, Bulletin for the History of Chemistry (American Chemical Society) *
I am not a chemist but I was able to learn from and be challenged by this volume with my interest in philosophy... I think the philosophers of chemistry as represented in this book would benefit from seeing how philosophers without a background in their discipline approach some of the broader questions they try to address. The philosophers in their turn would benefit from some particular knowledge of the sciences and of the work of scientists with a philosophical turn of mind, such as Scerri. This volume will reward reading by those with a serious interest in both philosophy and in the natural sciences. * Robin Friedman, Midwest Book Review *
With his pleasing writing style that combines scientific information, historical perspectives and personal reflection, this book will be an ideal starting point for readers new to Eric Scerri. Meanwhile, those more familiar with his scholarship will find enough that is new in this edition to maintain their interest. * Peter Hodder, Victoria University of Wellington, Chemistry in New Zealand *
This book, therefore, is a must-buy in the context of having a fundamental understanding of this central concept in chemistry... Of all the readers of this review who purchase this book, therefore, it is the chemical educators amongst you who will benefit the most. * Geoff Rayner-Canham, Memorial University, Corner Brook, NL Canada, Centaurus *
The book...offers a series of wide-ranging and in part innovative scholarly analyses of the subject. The attentive reader will not find a final answer to what an element is, but he or she will better appreciate the complexity and many facets of the question. * Helge Kragh, Substantia, An International Journal of the History of Chemistry *