Aristole’s Theory of Chemical Reaction and Chemical Substances

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to formulate the Aristotelian idea that a substance is potentially, and not actually, present in a mixture or combination, and to consider some problems to which it gives rise.1 This conception was adopted and adapted by Duhem (1902) as the basis of his understanding of the diversity of chemical substances systematized by chemical formulas and for providing what he thought was the natural interpretation of matter as treated by thermodynamics. Aristotle’s theory is pursued here from this Duhemian perspective, with an eye to its relation to contemporary macroscopic conceptions of chemical substance. Despite Duhem’s many suggestions and allusions, however, questions remain which need to be resolved if the interpretation is to be at all definite.2 Much the same might be said of Aristotle’s own writings, and leading commentators have sought to fill out perceived lacunas with reconstructions which, as for example Freudenthal readily concedes, are “not explicit in Aristotle’s writings” (1995, 200).