Philosophical Chemistry

[This] book presents a problem-focused intellectual history of chemistry ... with extraordinary conceptual clarity. * International Journal for Philosophy of Chemistry *
Even as a long-time reader of DeLanda's work, I'm struck by the richness and depth of his Philosophical Chemistry. His characteristic clarity and rigor are there, as he relentlessly and patiently traces the shifting population of concepts, methods, and phenomena of chemistry's history. In showing the progressive determinations of the virtual idea of chemistry in its successive individuations across its succeeding generations, DeLanda has given us nothing less than a Deleuzean take on Foucault's Archeology of Knowledge. * John Protevi, Phyllis M Taylor Professor of French Studies and Professor of Philosophy, Louisiana State University, USA *
For more than two decades, Manuel DeLanda has been one of the most challenging philosophers in our midst: a self-taught lone wolf whose sphere of influence ranges from military academies to architecture schools to opium dens. In this new book, he gives us a guided tour through more than two hundred years of the history of chemistry, leading us to a new philosophy of science that contests the unspoken Kuhnian standpoint of most continentally trained philosophers. * Graham Harman, Distinguished University Professor, American University in Cairo *
This book by a distinguished philosopher is an attempt to give a philosophical underpinning to chemistry. In four short but dense chapters, each drawing on a textbook of a given period, DeLanda (European Graduate School, Switzerland) discusses his theories of the philosophy of chemistry with respect to 18th-century inorganic chemistry, 19th-century organic chemistry, 19th-century physical chemistry, and what he terms ‘social chemistry.’ The overall intent is to present an intellectual history of chemistry during the periods described. The author's command of the field is impressive, though there are occasional lapses in chemical understanding. The text covers only 158 pages, and there are over 60 pages of references, many with extensive comments. There are separate author and subject indexes, but no illustrations. A book for serious philosophers and historians of science, not general readers. Summing Up: Recommended. Researchers/faculty and professionals/practitioners. -- H. Goldwhite, California State University, Los Angeles * CHOICE *