An Introduction to Chemical Principles [antikvár]

CHE/1/1ISTRY-/I PROLOGUE 1-1. INTRODUCTION Over 50 centuries ago the inhabitants of the Nile valley began to preserve for posterity their view of the world. In the 30 centuries that followed, several civilizations rose to heights of achievement that in many ways rival our own. During the six centuries before the Christian era, the Greeks introduced a new subject to civilization—philosophy. Although preceeding peoples had employed the secrets of nature to their advantage in the form of technology, it was left to the Greeks to begin the process of reducing the countless phenomena of our universe to a comprehensible body of ideas. Even though they did not perform experiments, the Greeks had conceived the spirit of science. The remaining 20 centuries of our history have seen many upheavals. But during this time science was undergoing its inexorable gestation. During all the ups and downs of these centuries science grew, sometimes almost imperceptibly, but always toward a fuller, more consistent, and more comprehensive understanding of nature. Now, science has come to its full power. The scientific method has achieved the status of faith. Man has merely to will, and science can do. Or so it seems. The growth of science has brought about many side effects. Some of these— pollution, overpopulation, wars of indescribable horror—threaten mankind itself. It is as though man has created, with great patience and skill, a giant slave who has suddenly become uncontrollable. Perhaps the analogy will be thought over-dramatic but few will think it untrue. Science, to serve man truly, must be under his control. This control can be realized only if man understands science. It is with this end in mind that this book is written—to make the science of chemistry accessible to all citizens of a free society, both future scientists and others. Failure of our citizenry to be aware of the nature, scope, power, and limitations of science could be disastrous.