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Von Apollo zu Prometheus und Herakles: Ziele und Methoden der chemischen Verfahrenstechnik
Author(s) -
Prausnitz John M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
chemie ingenieur technik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1522-2640
pISSN - 0009-286X
DOI - 10.1002/cite.330630506
Subject(s) - apollo , scholarship , philosophy , process (computing) , mythology , epistemology , sociology , humanities , political science , computer science , law , theology , zoology , biology , operating system
From Apollo to Prometheus and Hercules: Objectives and methods of the chemical process engineering. The objectives and the methods of process engineering can be illustrated by comparison with three figures from Greek mythology: Apollo , the spirit and patron of scholarship, particularly philosophy; Prometheus , visionary in the application of ideas, who stole fire from the gods to use it in the service of mankind; and Hercules , who on behalf of all slayed the dragons which tormented mankind. Classical philosophy provides the historical foundation for process engineering (rational thinking which brings order to the chaos of nature); in the same way, contemporary philosophy can serve as the basis for the definition of the role of process engineering in present day society. The central message of modern philosophy (hermeneutics) is the softening of boundaries and devaluation of differences in methods of cognition; reconciliation between the sciences and society, and emphasis of horizontal rather than vertical thinking. These philosophical concepts have direct implications for the training of process engineers and for the development of new chemical products and processes.