Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) en de scheikunde op het einde van de achttiende eeuw

Abstract

SUMMARY: In this article, we investigate the relation between Kant and the development of chemistry, especially the phlogiston controversy, at the end of the 18th century. Three items have been dealt with : 1. Kants' attitude towards the antiphlogistic theory of Lavoisier;2. Kant's knowledge of chemistry;3. The relation between Kant and some German participants in the phlogiston controversy. Our conclusions may be summarized as follows : 1. Kant took no part in the controversy between phlogistians and antiphlogistians,only sporadically and indirectly this controversy is mentioned in his writings; 2. Probably Kant accepted the antiflogistic theory in the years 1795-96, maybe under the influence of the German chemist K.G. Hagen; 3. Kant had very little knowledge of chemistry. 4. He had no influence on the attitude of German chemists, involved in the phlogiston controversy, and except Richter. on their chemical opinions and methods in general; 5. Some chemists, e.g. Girtanner, were impressed by his metaphysics.