COMPUTER CHEMISTRY
In this month’s Physics Today, there is an article called “Chemistry on the computer”. The first major quote from the article caught my eye. It comes from Auguste Comte, a natural philosopher, in 1830.
Every attempt to employ mathematical methods in the study of chemical questions must be considered profoundly irrational and contrary to the spirit of chemistry. If mathematical analysis should ever hold a prominent place in chemistry — an aberration which is happily almost impossible — it would occasion a rapid and widespread degeneration of that science.
Awesome. I don’t think that Mr. Comte would be very happy with me or a number of people here at Vdov.net.
I wonder what sciences he would tolerate math to be used in?
physics, certainly
Comte’s argument only holds if one believes in the spirit (or spirits) of chemistry.
I was always more comfortable with chemistry (and biology for that matter) when it was primarily used for the production of better alcohol. No math involved.
not really true … the physical chemistry of alcohol production would involve at least some elementary math.
elementary math…like calculating how many beers to brew or bottles to distill.
To clarify, I do believe in the alcoholic spirits of chemistry – not the supernatural ones.