Berson, Jerome A. (Author)
Foundations of Chemistry
Volume: 10
Pages: 147--156
Edition Details: Part of a special issue on the intersections of theory and practice in the chemical sciences.
Language: English
Many theories require empirical patches or ad hoc assumptions to work properly in application to chemistry. Some examples include the Bohr quantum theory of atomic spectra, the Pauli exclusion principle, the Marcus theory of the rate-equilibrium correlation, Kekule's hypothesis of bond oscillation in benzene, and the quantum calculation of reaction pathways. Often the proposed refinements do not grow out of the original theory but are devised and added ad hoc. This brings into question the goal of constructing theories derived from first principles and the concept of ranking the merit of theories according to their freedom from empirical contamination. Keywords Merit of theories - Empirical content - Pragmatic imperatives
...MoreDescription On application of empirical and ad hoc modifications to chemical theory.
Article Spector, Tami I. (2008) ISPC 2007 Editorial. Foundations of Chemistry (p. 145).
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