Professor Matthew Daniel Eddy m.d.eddy@durham.ac.uk
Professor
Elements, principles and the narrative of affinity. Mi Gyung Kim : affinity that illusive dream : a genealogy of the chemical revolution
Eddy, M. D.
Authors
Abstract
In the 18th century, the concept of ‘affinity’, ‘principle’ and ‘element’ dominated chemical discourse, both inside and outside the laboratory. Although much work has been done on these terms and the methodological commitments which guided their usage, most studies over the past two centuries have concentrated on their application as relevant to Lavoisier’s oxygen theory and the new nomenclature. Kim’s affinity challenges this historiographical trajectory by looking at several French chemists in the light of their private thoughts, public disputations and communal networks. In doing so, she tells a complex story which points to the methodological and practical importance of industrial and medical chemistry. The following review highlights the advantages and snares of such an approach and makes a few historiographical points along the way.
Citation
Eddy, M. D. (2004). Elements, principles and the narrative of affinity. Mi Gyung Kim : affinity that illusive dream : a genealogy of the chemical revolution. Foundations of Chemistry, 6(2), 161-175. https://doi.org/10.1023/b%3Afoch.0000035061.02831.45
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Publication Date | 2004 |
Deposit Date | Jan 8, 2009 |
Publicly Available Date | Jan 8, 2009 |
Journal | Foundations of Chemistry |
Print ISSN | 1386-4238 |
Electronic ISSN | 1572-8463 |
Publisher | Springer |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 6 |
Issue | 2 |
Pages | 161-175 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1023/b%3Afoch.0000035061.02831.45 |
Keywords | Chemistry, Element, Principle, Affinity. |
Public URL | https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1699220 |
Publisher URL | http://www.springerlink.com/link.asp?id=l62467861789g845 |
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Copyright Statement
The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com
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