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Chemistry: The Impure Science (2nd Edition)

Jonathan Simon author Bernadette Bensaude-Vincent author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Imperial College Press

Published:29th Aug '12

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Chemistry: The Impure Science (2nd Edition) cover

What do you associate with chemistry? Explosions, innovative materials, plastics, pollution? The public's confused and contradictory conception of chemistry as basic science, industrial producer and polluter contributes to what we present in this book as chemistry's image as an impure science. Historically, chemistry has always been viewed as impure both in terms of its academic status and its role in transforming modern society. While exploring the history of this science we argue for a characteristic philosophical approach that distinguishes chemistry from physics. This reflection leads us to a philosophical stance that we characterise as operational realism. In this new expanded edition we delve deeper into the questions of properties and potentials that are so important for this philosophy that is based on the manipulation of matter rather than the construction of theories.

ISBN: 9781848168114

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

296 pages

2nd Revised edition