An organic framework for a philosophical appreciation of chemical phenomena.
The aim of this paper is to show how chemistry gives rise to philosophical reflection. Initially, some general remarks on philosophy and science are offered in the light of recent reductive controversy surrounding them both. An appeal is made for a broader and deeper outlook. The philosophical outlook favored is one of openness towards the phenomena: rather than confine them to some "-ism" or other. The phenomena are seen as at least potentially "bathed" in more encompassing levels of being. The term "ontological suppleness" is later introduced in this spirit, to express how something at a given level, say electronegativity in chemistry, has significance at far higher levels of being-in this case, the emergence of life, and our planet's ecology as a whole. Similar consideration is given to the conversion of a carcinogen (benzene) into a "miracle drug" (aspirin). These illustrations are intended to highlight how science in general, including chemistry in particular, offers seamless transitions to what lies beyond the scope of science. What remains for us is to find a language adequate to deal with such transitions.
Khuri
Richard K
RK
Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, Falls Church, Virginia 22041-3736, USA. richardkhuri@yahoo.com