The Sceptical Chymist Book

"Its contents cannot be appreciated without reference to the scientific climate of the seventeenth century, particularly in this country. The physicists of that period--Boyle calls them Ôhermetick philosophers'--upheld the Aristotelian doctrine that all forms of matter could be resolved into the four elements, fire, air, earth and water. The chemists of his day--he calls them 'vulgar spagyrists'--were disciples of the later school of Paraclesus, who maintained that nature was resolvable into three principles: salt, sulphur and mercury. ... After three centuries we now appreciate how completely untenable were the beliefs of the spagyrists and peripatetics, and how significant a part Boyle played in blowing them sky-high."--University of Cambridge chemistry lecturer E. A. Moelwyn-Hughes English chemist Robert Boyle, a major figure in the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century, was the first prominent scientist to perform controlled experiments and to publish his work with elaborate details concerning procedure, apparatus, and observations. This classic of scientific reporting, published in 1661, is the best known of his many works. In it, Boyle defines the term "element," asserting that all natural phenomena can be explained by the motion and organization of primary particles. A dialogue concerning the nature and number of the elements, this exchange of viewpoints among ancient and contemporary men of science includes a figure representing Boyle's opinions. A major contribution to scientific knowledge, the work deserves a place of prominence in the personal archives of chemistry students, teachers, and professionals in the field. 1911 edition.Read More