This Cambridge Elements series offers concise yet rigorous introductions to the central themes of the philosophy of chemistry. It explores traditional topics—such as chemical kinds, the periodic table, chemical bonding, and molecular structure—alongside newly emerging topics—such as the philosophy of biochemistry, chemical ethics, and nanotechnology.
The series also revisits chemistry’s past, from alchemy and the chemical revolution to chemical atomism, and engages with foundational issues such as atoms-in-molecules, catalysis, acid–base chemistry, and mathematical chemistry.
What sets the series apart is its dual purpose: combining clarity with originality. Each Element—authored by a leading senior scholar or a bright junior scholar—is designed to be accessible enough for students, yet original enough to offer fresh perspectives for specialists.
Every Element thus begins with a short, up-to-date survey of the literature—tracing a topic’s historical development, current debates, and future directions—before advancing novel arguments and original insights. In this way, the series serves as both entry point and scholarly contribution, welcoming newcomers to the field, while helping to establish the philosophy of chemistry as a young but vibrant and rapidly expanding academic discipline.