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Elements, principles and the narrative of affinity. Mi Gyung Kim : affinity that illusive dream : a genealogy of the chemical revolution

Eddy, M. D.

Elements, principles and the narrative of affinity. Mi Gyung Kim : affinity that illusive dream : a genealogy of the chemical revolution Thumbnail


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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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The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com







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