explore the notion of disinterested contemplation for the chemist and art critic. Does the utility of a compound or art work affect the pleasure we take from it? should it? what is the role of background knowledge in science and art. 2 ex

what idea of beauty does Hoffmann have? does it agree with traditional accounts (natural versus articifial, symmetry, complexity, static vs dynamic etc)? how does the beauty of an object generally relate to its simplicity, unity, epistemic value?

They are subfield – org chem, phy chem – dependent, like dialects, rituals, costumes of tribal groups

aesthetic judgments made by chemists about chemistry are perhaps more cognitively informed than aesthetic judgments in the arts which ensures that those judgments are jargon laden

geometry – simple or it can be exquisitely intricate

simple, symmetrical and devilishly hard to make

3d molecular models or 2 d portrayals are abstractions of reality, no unique privileged model of a molecule, infinite variety of representations, each constructed to capture some aspect of the essence fo the molecule – 7a and 7b

departure from ideality? – symmetrical asymmetry as one of those complexities that makes life interesting

they kink in a less straightforward but still symmetrical way. one gets the feeling that nature is insubordinate – what really is going on is that we, in the weakness of our minds, fix on the first, most symmetrical suggestion of how things might be.

which is at once symmetrical and unsymmetrical in which the beauty of this aesthetic object resides , beauty is in the incredible interplay of dimensionality

selfassembles in small black srystals, an aesthetic testimonial to the natural forces that shape the molecule and to the beauty of the human mind and hands that unnaturally brought this structure to being

there are no ugly molecules, purpose in life is not clear

frog that is a prince, beautiful, chemistry is molecules and it is chemical change the transformations of molecules. Beauty or elegance may reside, static, in the very structure or it may be found in the process of moving from where one was to where one wants to be. Historicity and intent have incredible transforming power; this molecule is beautiful because it is a waypoint or intermediate

catenane – no reason, best: none was made before

making: doing chemistry on a molecule: transformations of functional groups and particularly the predictability of their reactions are crucial element in the conceptual design of synthesis in organic chemistry

synthesis is architecture*

15 – intermediate for cantenene

although 20 is sweet, it should be clear that what is important is getting to the process

any step in a linear chain of transformation a – b – c – d – e could claim primacy of significance

middle: most complicated relative to the starting and the goal, molecule most disguised, yet the one bearing in it, obvious to its conceiver but to few other, the surprise, the essence of what is to come

purposive intent in abundance in 15, but it is powered by purpose, the catenane

Kant: object that is of utility whose valuation is not sensually immediate but requires cognitive action, cannot quality as being beautiful. impoverishing restriction on our aesthetic judgement

knowledge of origins, causes, ulity, relations (iconography) enhances pleasure. not just to science, poem

complexity poses problems in any aesthetic – arts, music, chemistry

complex and simple coexist and reinforce each other, Greek temple – sculptural set off

science: complexity is central, richness, the realm of the possible

chemistry: science of molecules and transformations, infinite variety of molecules that may be built from them

hemoglobin a and b change twice in the course of fetal development, optimize oxygen uptake, bring oxygen from lungs to cells

side chains are not adornment, they make for function

globular tumble of helical sections nothing simple but functionally significant emerges

- hold, change

folding – purpose in the structure and function

nature is a tinkerer – chance variation

structures: imperfect representations, ideograms

classical beauty: real objects are an approximation to that form, art to Greeks are mere imitation or a search for the essential core

archetype – simple parent molecule

epitome or essence – typical, feautures of a class to a high degree

- one of the determinants of beauty in chemistry - 26: several disjoint examples ot one - more than the sum of its parts, concentration it enhances our aesthetic response

strong intrusion of cognitive into judgments of the beauty of the molecules

- beauty is dependent - novelty links interesting and beautiful

o 4 C bonds – excess, surpricse, interesting and lovely

molecules beaty:

- quantized motions they undergo- miracles: penicillin or morphine- production

object including utilitarian perspective as an aesthetic criterioin

chemists: use is an element, not the most important one but an element of chemical beauty

aesthetic response entails importantly a degree of detachment on the part of the viewer or listener and the elements of intensity (26), unity and complexity in the object

strcutures cannot be viewed as beautiful except in the context of knowledge of other molecules

aesthetic strength of simplicity – parent molecule, symmetrical molecule, reactions, simple mechanism, math eqn,

science and art as cognitive processes, differ only in intensity of elaboration or manipulation of symbols

we feel that these molecules are beautiful that they express essences, knowing, seeing relationships

describe beauty not just say it

There are many examples on this paper entitled ‘Molecular Beauty’ to back his

statement up. An example of a beautiful molecule that does not have any known use to

humanity is catenane and its aesthetic value can be seen in its molecular structure alone. On

the other hand, compound number 15 is considered as a beautiful molecule although it does not

have the same strikingly beautiful molecular structure like cantenane. It is because its beauty is

disguised and seen in its use as an intermediate into producing catenane and in its process in

getting to the desired product. Without this, catenane would not even exist at all.

As a Biochemistry student, I can easily understand what Hoffmann is trying to say since I

have experiences regarding this in class. There are many complicated mechanisms and

molecules that we have to understand and memorize especially in Organic Chemistry. Instead

of hating cursing the scientists who have discovered these crazy reactions, I came to see their

beauty even more because of their use in real life.