Essai de philosophie chimique

Abstract

PROF. DELACRE of Ghent is in revolt against modern theories. In a “Profession of Faith “which forms the first section of his introduction, he asserts that “Every principle, every a priori conception, every theory, every system, however brilliant it may be, however fertile it may appear, is only an illusion.” He questions even the usefulness of theories, on the ground that they have in the past often provided obstructions to the progress of new ideas, and quotes with approval the view that, if one makes use of theories, one should do so, in-the words of St. Claire Deville, “without believing them.” He appears to have reached this almost morbid point of view as a result of having devoted much time to the study of the pinacone-pinacoline transformation, one of the curious changes which (like the Walden inversion) have never yet found a clear interpretation on the basis of conventional views of atomic linking and molecular structure; but, whereas the average chemist (fortunately) is stimulated by such anomalies, and is always hopeful of finding some clue to the mystery which they conceal, Prof. Delacre prefers to “throw up the sponge “and to denounce all theories as useless frauds. Sir Joseph Thomson has recently stated that “A theory is a tool and not a creed “; this is at least a more cheerful and practical view than the exercise in which Prof. Delacre indulges of finding fault with tools in general, and especially with those of his own trade. They may not be perfect, but they are certainly not useless.