%0 Journal Article
%T Chemicals as Instruments. A Language Game
%A Luigi Cerruti
%J Hyle : International Journal for Philosophy of Chemistry
%D 1998
%I HYLE Publications, Karlsruhe and University of Karlsruhe
%X Meaning is use: Wittgenstein's well-known dictum is used as starting point for a language game on the English word 'instrument' in historical discourse. In this way it is possible to collect a set of words (and corresponding objects) so heterogeneous that the likening 'chemicals as instruments' does not seem misplaced. Looking for a better understanding, three classes of chemicals are considered: solvents, indicators, and reagents (just a couple!). The first two classes comprise chemicals, which create new experimental conditions (as the classical air pump), or measure 'something' (as the classical thermometer). The third class is more peculiar to chemistry, in that reagents are typical chemical instruments for operating at the microscopic level. In addition, a second language-game is proposed, and it is stressed the deep epistemological difference between physics, which creates 'phenomena', and chemistry, which synthesizes substances.
%K philosophy of chemistry
%K chemicals
%K instruments
%K language game
%K epistemology of solvents
%K physical phenomena
%K chemical substances
%U http://www.hyle.org/journal/issues/4/cerruti.pdf