British Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“You have heard of the new chemical nomenclature endeavored to be introduced by Lavoisier, Fourcroy, &c. Other chemists of this country, of equal note, reject it, and prove in my opinion that it is premature, insufficient and false. These latter are joined by the British chemists; and upon the whole, I think the new nomenclature will be rejected, after doing more harm than good. There are some good publications in it, which must be translated into the ordinary chemical language before they will be useful.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to Dr. John Adams, 1791
New chemical naming systems may be premature and confusing; existing language should be preserved until improvements are proven.
In simple terms: New nomenclature may be harmful.
Key Takeaway
Use proven terminology.
Themes
science
communication
tradition
innovation
skepticism
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- Academic publishing
- laboratory work
- educational curricula
- policy making
Key Concepts
Chemistry
epistemology
history of science
Questions to Reflect On
- Should we prioritize stability or innovation?
- How can new ideas be tested responsibly?
A Different Perspective
Resistance to change can slow scientific progress.
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