Abstract
The classical model of the molecule assumes that it has a definite shape and structure like a mechanical object in the world of possible experience. This study deals with this assumption so as to shed some light on the foundations of the model. Arguments based on Kant’s theory of transcendental idealism suggest that neither shape nor structure are attributes of the molecule, but are rather contributions of the subject. This claim has great relevance to the questions of (1) whether or not a quantum treatment of the molecule can derive structure without recourse to any approximation, and (2) the possible existence of emergence and downward causation. The answer to the first question is in the negative, and to the second is that agnosticism is the only possible attitude to have toward this problem. We are creatures who can only imagine what is going on by observing phenomena. All that is accessible to us is the modal structure of the model. The causal structure of the real system is not. From the same point of view and taking the concept of the affordance into account, the adequacy of the concept of molecular structure will be argued. The point is to specify what objects the concept can legitimately be applied to. Also briefly discussed in relation to shape and structure is the idea that molecular chirality might be a probe to reveal the nature of space.
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Notes
‘An intrinsic property’ means that the property does not logically depend on the properties, existence, or nonexistence of any object other than the object in question. On the other hand, ‘an extrinsic property’ means that it logically depends on the properties, existence, or nonexistence of some object other than the object in question.
Emergence is a process whereby higher level properties arise from lower level entities that do not exhibit such properties. The downward causation is the idea that a higher level phenomenon exerts a downward causal influence on a lower level process or entity. Where there are emergent properties and powers, it seems that downward causation should also be possible. That is, complex systems, in virtue of their macro-level properties, are able to bring about changes at lower levels (Campbell and Bickhard).
Chirality refers to the general property of handedness, or a condition in which an object and its mirror image are not superimposable. Such objects are called chiral. A pair of chiral molecules, each having only one chiral center, is called enantiomers.
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Ochiai, H. Does a molecule have structure?. Found Chem 19, 197–207 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10698-017-9284-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10698-017-9284-5