The Evolution of Chemical Knowledge: A Formal Setting for its Analysis

Chemistry shapes and creates the disposition of the world's resources and provides novel substances for the welfare and hazard of our civilisation at an exponential rate. This book provides formal models and available data to model chemical knowledge as a complex dynamical system based on the mutual interaction of the social, semiotic, and material systems of chemistry. These three systems are brought together in a grand historical narrative to develop a comprehensive picture of the evolution of chemistry, needed for better understanding the past, present, and future of chemistry as a discipline.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 122 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Chemistry plays a pivotal role in shaping the distribution of the world's resources and in generating novel substances that have a profound impact on the well-being and risks of our civilization. The rapid pace at which chemical knowledge is evolving poses a significant challenge: can we model the evolution of chemical knowledge? This book offers a resounding affirmative answer to this question, providing not only a theoretical framework but also comprehensive models and abundant data to describe chemical knowledge as a complex dynamical system driven by the interplay between social, semiotic, and material systems. These systems, which have undergone a gradual evolution over time, encompass the scientists and institutions that support chemical knowledge (social system), the theories, concepts, and forms of communication (semiotic system), and the substances, reactions, and technologies (material system) that constitute the core of chemical practice. Traditionally, these three systems have been studied in isolation, but this book brings them together in a grand historical narrative, supported by extensive data sets and complemented by appropriate analytical tools. By undertaking a comprehensive analysis of these interconnected systems, we gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of chemistry, which is essential for comprehending its past, present, and future.

This book possesses an interdisciplinary nature and employs a non-technical language, making it an ideal complement to more conventional materials in undergraduate and graduate courses in chemistry, history of science, and digital humanities. Its comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis provide students with a comprehensive perspective on the field, equipping them with the tools necessary to excel in their studies and contribute to the advancement of chemical knowledge.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 240 x 168 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031100932
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022