Recent historiography has pointed out the influence on early modern chemistry of different classical theories of matter. Among these the reading and interpretation of the writings of Lucretius is a particularly interesting example. While the De rerum natura has been regarded by religious authorities as a dangerous heterodox work, chemists throughout Europe between 1500 and 1800 became progressively interested in adopting Lucretius’ qualitative atomism. It is argued that such atomism played an important role not only in building an alternative philosophy of matter to that of Aristotle, but also in developing more concrete and operative options, such as the definition of chemical reaction.
Did Lucretius’ Atomism play any Role in Early Modern Chemistry? / M. Beretta. - STAMPA. - 1:(2008), pp. 237-248. (Intervento presentato al convegno Neighbours and Territories : The Evolving Identity of Chemistry. 6th International Conference on the History of Chemistry The Working Party (WP) on History of Chemistry of the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences (EuCheMS) will hold its bi-annual History of Chemistry Conference in Leuven (Belgium) between 28 August and 1 September 2007. The conference will mainly focus on the disciplinary identity of chemistry and the changing relationships with other fields. A major aim of the conferences organised by the WP is to facilitate communication between historically interested chemists and historians of chemistry from all over Europe. tenutosi a Louvain nel 28 agosto-1 settembre 2007).
Did Lucretius’ Atomism play any Role in Early Modern Chemistry?
BERETTA, MARCO
2008
Abstract
Recent historiography has pointed out the influence on early modern chemistry of different classical theories of matter. Among these the reading and interpretation of the writings of Lucretius is a particularly interesting example. While the De rerum natura has been regarded by religious authorities as a dangerous heterodox work, chemists throughout Europe between 1500 and 1800 became progressively interested in adopting Lucretius’ qualitative atomism. It is argued that such atomism played an important role not only in building an alternative philosophy of matter to that of Aristotle, but also in developing more concrete and operative options, such as the definition of chemical reaction.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
