Goodwin, William (2008) How do Structural Formulas Embody the Theory of Organic Chemistry? [Preprint]

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Abstract

Organic chemistry provides fertile ground for scholars interested in understanding the role of non-linguistic representations in scientific thinking. In this discipline, it is plausible to think of textual representation as supplementing theories whose principle expression is diagrammatic. Among the many sorts of diagrams employed by organic chemists, structural formulas are the most important. In this paper, by examining two central episodes in the development of structural formulas -- Kekulé’s proposal of a structure for benzene and Ingold’s explanation of dipole moments in terms of ‘mesomerism’ – I investigate how the norms for the production and interpretation of structural formulas evolve in response to experimental results. I conclude that one principle way in which structural formulas embody the theory of organic chemistry is through these evolving norms.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Goodwin, William
Additional Information:	to be presented at PSA 2008
Keywords:	organic chemistry, visual representation, scientific theories
Subjects:	General Issues > Structure of Theories Specific Sciences > Chemistry
Depositing User:	William Mark Goodwin
Date Deposited:	25 Sep 2008
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:17
Item ID:	4202
Subjects:	General Issues > Structure of Theories Specific Sciences > Chemistry
Date:	February 2008
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4202

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