The conceptual bases of chemistry and the development of integrated science

Summary A paradigmatic model of the evolution of scientific thought encourages awareness of the provisional nature of present scientific explanations, sensitizing us to aspects of observed reality which they are unable to adequately explain. The self-organizing capabilities of open systems, exemplified by the clock-reactions investigated by Prigogine, not only demonstrate the inadequacies of the present probabilistic scientific interpretations but also point towards a more adequate model of scientific explanation which would place man at the centre of scientific development and encourage the integration of science.Dr Paolo Manzelli, as the senior author of this paper, is Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florence. John Eaton is responsible for Educational Studies at Farnborough College of Technology.