Abstract
This paper widens the scope of our previous paper (Harré and Llored in Found Chem 13:63–76, 2011) by scrutinizing how whole/parts relations are involved in the study of molecules. In doing so, we point out two mereological fallacies which endanger both philosophical and chemical inferences. We also further explore how the concept of affordance is related to our mereological investigation. We then refer to quantum chemistry in order to pave the way for a new mereological approach for chemistry.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
Spelling and orthography of the original text.
‘Affordance’ will be explained in more detail below.
A quick glance at the Internet (‘Library, thinking, quest’ for example) reveals such statements as ‘Schrödinger’s three-dimensional model requires three coordinates… which describe the orbitals where electrons can be found’. And how pray would we do that? Insert an electron probe into the interior of an atom!!
Eugene Schwarz has suggested to us that in the context of quantum chemistry ‘glub’ could be identified with a generic energy field. Maybe but this is not what current chemists are interested in, only physicists might be.
References
Atkins, P., de Paula, J.: Physical chemistry. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2010)
Avogadro, A.: Mémoire sur les masses relatives des molécules des corps simples. J. Phys. July (1811)
Bennett, M.R., Hacker, P.M.S.: Philosophical foundations of neuroscience. Blackwell, Oxford (2003)
Born, M., Oppenheimer, J.R.: On the quantum theory of molecules. Ann. Physik. 84, 457 (1927)
Boyle, R.: The sceptical chemist. Crooke, London (1661)
Boyle, R.: The Origine of Forms and Qualities. Crooke, Oxford (1667)
Cohen, I.B.: Isaac Newton’s papers and letters on natural philosophy. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1958)
Dalton, J.: A new system of chemical philosophy. John Weale, Architectural Library, London (1842)
Davisson, C., Germer, L.: `Diffraction of electrons by a crystal of nickel’. Phys. Rev. 30, 705–740 (1927)
Earley, J.: `There is no salt in the sea’. Found. Chem. 7, 85–102 (2005)
Gibson, J.J.: The senses considered as perceptual systems. Houghton Miflin, New York (1967)
Greene, R.: The principles of the philosophy of the expansive and contractive forces. Motte, London (1727)
Harré, R.: Modeling: gateway to the unknown. In: Rothbart, R. (ed.) Studies in Multidisciplinarity, vol. 1. Elsivier, Amsterdam (2004)
Harré, R., Llored, J.-P.: Mereologies as the grammars of chemical discourses. Found. Chem. 13, 63–76 (2011)
Harré, R.: Affordances and hinges. New tools in the philosophy of chemistry. In: Llored, J.-P. (ed.) Philosophy of Chemistry: Practices, Methodologies and Concepts. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, New Castle (2013)
Kneen, W.R., Rogers, M.J.W., Simpson, P.: Chemistry. Longmans, London (1985)
Llored, J.-P.: Mereology and quantum chemistry: the approximation of molecular orbital. Found. Chem. 12, 203–221 (2010)
Llored, J.-P.: The role and the status of thermodynamics in quantum chemistry calculations. In: Moreno, J.C. (ed.) Thermodynamics—Interaction Studies—Solids, Liquids and Gases, INTECH, Paris (2011)
Matta, C.F.: Applications of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules to Chemical and Biochemical Problems, Ph.D. Thesis, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada (2002)
Maxwell, J.C.: Molecules. Nature 8, (204), 437–441(1873)
Mulliken, R.S.: The vibrational isotope effect in the band spectra of boron nitride. Science 58, 164–166 (1923)
Mulliken, R.S.: The assignment of quantum numbers for electrons in molecules. I. Phys. Rev. 32, 186–189 (1928)
Mulliken, R.S.: Electronic structures of polyatomic molecules and valence I. Phys. Rev. 40, 55 (1932a)
Mulliken, R.S.: Electronic structures of polyatomic molecules and valence II. General consideration. Phys. Rev. 41, 50 (1932b)
Mulliken, R.S.: Interpretation of band spectra, part III. Electron quantum numbers and states of molecules and their atoms. Rev. Mod. Phys. 4, 4–6 (1932c)
Mulliken, R.S.: Electronic structures of polyatomic molecules and valence IV. Electronic states, quantum theory of the double bond’. Phys. Rev. 43, 279–280 (1933)
Mulliken, R.S.: Electronic structures of polyatomic molecules and valence VI. On the method of molecular orbitals. J. Chem. Phys. 3, 376 (1935)
Needham, P.: Mixtures and modality. Found. Chem. 7, 103–118 (2005)
Newton, I.: De Natura Acidorum. In: Harris, J. (ed.) English Dictionary of Arts and Science vol II, London: Brown et al.; reprinted in Cohen, I. B. (ed) (1958) Isaac Newton’s Letters and Papers on Natural Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (about 1692)
Newton, I.: Opticks. Prometheus, Amherst (1710 [2003])
Pauling, L., Sherman, J.: The nature of the chemical bond. VI. Calculation from thermodynamical data of the energy of resonance of molecules among several electronic structures. J. Chem. Phys. 1, 606–617 (1933)
Scerri, E.R.: Some aspects of the metaphysics of chemistry and the nature of the elements. HYLE-Int. J. Philos. Chem. 11(2), 127–145 (2005)
Scerri, E.R.: The periodic table: its story and its significance. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2007)
Stroll, A.: Moore and Wittgenstein on certainty. Oxford University Press, Oxford (1994)
Wittgenstein, L.: Philosophical investigations. Blackwell, Oxford, §67 (1953)
Wittgenstein, L.: On certainty. Blackwell, Oxford (1979)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harré, R., Llored, JP. Molecules and mereology. Found Chem 15, 127–144 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10698-013-9181-5
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10698-013-9181-5