The Philosophy of Chemistry as a New Resource for Chemistry Education

Abstract

In this paper the problem of the relationship between chemistry and physics is addressed. We argue for the need of introducing philosophical issues in the teaching of chemistry in order to face that traditional and subtle problem. In particular, we reject the widespread assumption of ontological reduction according to which, although the properties of a chemical system cannot be effectively derived from physical properties, chemical entities, when analyzed in depth, are no more than physical entities. From our perspective, the ontological autonomy of the chemical world should be defended on the basis of an ontological pluralism philosophically founded. In this sense, the philosophy of chemistry proves to be an essential resource for chemistry education, to the extent that it contributes to a better understanding of the nature of chemistry and its place in the context of natural sciences.