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Work #538 · Mid

The Sceptical Chymist

Robert Boyle
1661 · English
Chemical-philosophical dialogue · English Royal Society experimental philosophy

Boyle's 1661 foundational chemistry text — questioning the four elements and three principles

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute The Sceptical Chymist (Mid)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature Flat
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Total
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency Cosmic-ordering
Observer · Moral Authority Reason
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

The Sceptical Chymist

The temporal time of experimental chemistry.

Space

The Sceptical Chymist

The space of experimental apparatus.

Matter

The Sceptical Chymist

Central — chemical substances analyzed.

Observer

The Sceptical Chymist

The experimental chemist.

Energy

The Sceptical Chymist

Energies of chemical transformation.

Information

The Sceptical Chymist

Foundational experimental-chemical framework.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

The Sceptical Chymist

Boyle's sceptical-experimental orientation foundational for modern chemistry, while retaining alchemical interests.