Reaction Paper Series - Paper 8

Stirring Rationally

            Antoine Lavoisier was an 18^th century chemist sometimes referred to as the father of modern chemistry and the executioner of alchemy. According to Professor of Chemistry Peter Atkins, irrational stirrer might also be an appropriate title.  In the book, On Giants’ Shoulder’s, Professor Atkins contrasts modern chemistry with the chemistry of the18^th century, “Lavoisier really heated and stirred and splashed blindly and we today, when we look at our splashings and stirrings and heatings, see in our mind’s eye the changes in the positions of the atoms that we are stirring around. So he stirred irrationally but hopefully; we stir rationally.” Rather than showing disrespect towards the great Lavoisier, Atkins simply points out that chemistry, and all sciences for that matter, are now done based on scientific knowledge.

            The great and notable scientists build the foundation of scientific knowledge for their respective fields. On that foundation, other great scientists were able to use that scientific knowledge, experiment with it, and explore new ideas that further built onto and expanded scientific knowledge. In this way, science has been built as a progressive stairway to truth and understanding about the natural world.

            The previous work of remarkable scientists thus places a responsibility on current and future scientists. Scientists now have the great responsibility to learn as much as possible from the available scientific knowledge. Then, that knowledge, must applied to explore more ideas, develop further experimentation, and add to the stairway. The legacy of science and the pursuit of truth must go forward as each generation of scientists work to be rational stirrers.