The aesthetics of chemical biology
Highlights
► Debate persists over the role of aesthetic factors in scientific theory choice. ► Aesthetics also figures in many other aspects of chemistry. ► The beauty of molecules raises special questions for aesthetics. ► The maxim ‘Form follows function’ is relevant to the aesthetics of molecules. ► Future applications will require a broader view of aesthetics in chemical biology.
Section snippets
The traditional debate
Most discussion of the role of aesthetics in science has focused on one branch of science—theoretical physics—and on one philosophical issue—the role of aesthetic factors in the choice between competing theories [7, 8]. This issue arises owing to the fact that our culture generally views science as a rational and empirical inquiry into natural processes. On this view, scientific theories win support based on their empirical accuracy and explanatory power. Yet, the history of science shows many
Aesthetics in chemistry
The debate concerning the role of aesthetics in theory choice has focused mainly on physics, but can be extended to theories within chemistry also [17••]. Within chemistry, however, aesthetic factors come into play in other ways as well, at the visible level of materials, such as crystals and liquids (see Figure 1; [22]) but also with regard to imperceptible molecules which chemists may regard as particularly beautiful. In these other contexts, the connection between truth and beauty is less of
Molecular delights
So what makes for beauty in a molecule? Chemists have offered lists of features that supposedly give a molecule aesthetic value [23••, 28, 29••]. To fully address the question, however, we need some account of what aesthetic value is. While philosophers disagree on this issue, a traditional and still widely accepted view holds that we can at least say that aesthetic value is distinct from other values such as ethical merit or usefulness. On this view, a painting may promote a morally
Form and function
What then are the features that make a molecule aesthetically appealing? Some molecules have striking geometrical features: consider the regularity and symmetry in a molecule such as dodecahedrane. There are also other formal properties, such as the tension of certain molecular structures “tightly wound and ready to spring into forms with lower energy states” [29••] or the complex repeated pattern of atoms in large molecules [23]. Other plausible beauty-making features cited by chemists include
From the invisible to the visible
The molecular realm thus offers a beguiling array of beauties for the chemist. It is sometimes objected that because appreciating this beauty requires specialized knowledge of chemistry, it is esoteric [22] or gnostic [28]. However, this is the case for much aesthetic appreciation of art as well. To fully appreciate works of religious art, or literature from other cultures or time periods, we often require knowledge of the relevant background.
The aesthetics of molecules could be said to be
References and recommended reading
Papers of particular interest, published within the period of review, have been highlighted as:
•• of outstanding interest
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