Eric Scerri

Publications

• Recognizing rhenium.

  Eric Scerri

  Nature chemistry. 07/2010; 2(7):598.

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• Finding francium.

  Eric Scerri

  Nature chemistry. 11/2009; 1(8):670.

• Tales of technetium.

  Eric Scerri

  Nature chemistry. 07/2009; 1(4):332.

• Dr.

  Eric Scerri

  01/2007;
• 2.67

  Impact points

  Constructivism, relativism, and chemical education.

  Eric Scerri

  Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 06/2003; 988:359-69.

  Whereas most scientists are highly critical of constructivism and relativism in the context of scientific knowledge acquisition, the dominant school of chemical education researchers appears to support a variety of such positions. By reference to the views of Herron, Spencer, and Bodner, I claim tha... [more] Whereas most scientists are highly critical of constructivism and relativism in the context of scientific knowledge acquisition, the dominant school of chemical education researchers appears to support a variety of such positions. By reference to the views of Herron, Spencer, and Bodner, I claim that these authors are philosophically confused, and that they are presenting a damaging and anti-scientific message to other unsuspecting educators. Part of the problem, as I argue, is a failure to distinguish between pedagogical constructivism regarding students' understanding of science, and constructivism about the way that scientific knowledge is acquired by expert scientists.

• Response to Vollmer's Review of "Of Minds and Molecules"

  Eric Scerri

  A critique is given of Vollmer's book review of "Of Minds and Molecules". The critique deals mainly with Vollmer's view on the nature of the chemical elements as discussed by Mendeleev, Paneth and Scerri.... [more] A critique is given of Vollmer's book review of "Of Minds and Molecules". The critique deals mainly with Vollmer's view on the nature of the chemical elements as discussed by Mendeleev, Paneth and Scerri.

• Philosophy of Chemistry�A New Interdisciplinary Field?

  Eric Scerri

  Philosophy of Chemistry�A New Interdisciplinary Field? What could possibly be the connection between chemistry and philosophy, apart from the obvious superficial one of their both representing quests for knowledge? How do contemporary chemists and philosophers generally view one another? These are s... [more] Philosophy of Chemistry�A New Interdisciplinary Field? What could possibly be the connection between chemistry and philosophy, apart from the obvious superficial one of their both representing quests for knowledge? How do contemporary chemists and philosophers generally view one another? These are some of the questions I will try to put before going on to describe the connections that have recently been forged between these two seemingly very diverse fields of academic study..

• The Case for Philosophy of Chemistry

  Eric Scerri, Lee McIntyre

  The philosophy of chemistry has been sadly neglected by most contempory literature in the philosophy of science. This paper argues that this neglect has been unfor-tunate and that there is much to be learned from paying greater philosophical attention to the set of issues defined by the philosophy o... [more] The philosophy of chemistry has been sadly neglected by most contempory literature in the philosophy of science. This paper argues that this neglect has been unfor-tunate and that there is much to be learned from paying greater philosophical attention to the set of issues defined by the philosophy of chemistry. The potential contribution of this field to such current topics as reduction, laws, explanation, and supervenience is explored, as are possible applications of insights gained by such study to the philosophy of mind and the philosophy of social science.

• Some aspects of the metaphysics of chemistry and the nature of the elements

  Eric Scerri

  There is now a considerable body of published work on the epistemology of modern chemistry, especially with regard to the nature of quantum chemistry. In addition, the question of the metaphysical underpinnings of chemistry has received a good deal of attention. The present article concentrates on m... [more] There is now a considerable body of published work on the epistemology of modern chemistry, especially with regard to the nature of quantum chemistry. In addition, the question of the metaphysical underpinnings of chemistry has received a good deal of attention. The present article concentrates on metaphysical considerations including the question of whether elements and groups of elements are natural kinds. It is also argued that an appeal to the metaphysical nature of elements can help to clarify the re-emerging controversies among chemists regarding the placement of the elements hydrogen and helium in the periodic system and the question of whether there exists a best form of the periodic table.

• Principles and Parameters in Physics and Chemistry

  Eric Scerri

  The paper examines critically some recently published views by Ramsey on the contrast between ab initio and parametrized theories. I argue that, all things being equal, ab initio calculations are indeed regarded more highly in the physics and chemistry communities. A case study on density functional... [more] The paper examines critically some recently published views by Ramsey on the contrast between ab initio and parametrized theories. I argue that, all things being equal, ab initio calculations are indeed regarded more highly in the physics and chemistry communities. A case study on density functional approaches in theoretical chemistry is presented in order to re-examine the question of ab initio and parametrized approaches in a contemporary context.

• What if the periodic table starts and ends with triads?

  Eric Scerri

  The purpose of this paper is to propose a new design for the presentation of the periodic system of the elements. It is a system that highlights the fundamental importance of elements as basic substances rather than elements as simple substances. Furthermore the fundamental nature of atomic number t... [more] The purpose of this paper is to propose a new design for the presentation of the periodic system of the elements. It is a system that highlights the fundamental importance of elements as basic substances rather than elements as simple substances. Furthermore the fundamental nature of atomic number triads of elements is put to use in obtaining a new perfect triad by relocating hydrogen among the halogens to give the triad H, F, Cl. An unexpected regularity in the period lengths of successive rows is obtained on rearranging the table to start with the halogens on the left-hand side. The relative virtues of this table, as compared with the medium-long form and the left-step table, are discussed.

• On the Continuity of Reference of the Elements. A Response to Hendry.

  Eric Scerri

  Robin Hendry has recently argued that although the term ‘element’ has traditionally been used in two different senses, (basic substance and simple substance), there has nonetheless been a continuity of reference. The present article examines this author’s historical and philosophical claims and sugg... [more] Robin Hendry has recently argued that although the term ‘element’ has traditionally been used in two different senses, (basic substance and simple substance), there has nonetheless been a continuity of reference. The present article examines this author’s historical and philosophical claims and suggests that he has misdiagnosed the situation in several respects. In particular it is claimed that Hendry’s arguments for the nature of one particular element, oxygen, do not generalize to all elements as he implies. The second main objection is to Hendry’s view that the qua problem can be illuminated by appeal to the intention of scientists

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