Why teach organic chemistry

who hive cluttered minds. ~ n a l y t i c d ability is one quality the medical schools look for in prospective candidates. After teaching organic chem...
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edited by: DAVIDA. PHILLIPS Wabash College Crawfordsville, IN 47933

PRUDENCEPHILLIPS Crawfordsville High School Crawfordsville, IN 47933

Why Teach Orlanic Chemistry Medical st h . n k -~~dgcst that ~ d c u l u and s organic chemistry distinguish .;tudt.nti who haw ;unnlvtical ahilitiez from those who hive cluttered minds. ~ n a l y t i c dability is one quality the medical schools look for in prospective candidates. After teaching organic chemistry at several levels for 42 years I would not quarrel with this view. However, I do doubt whether learning to think analytically in one field transfers to another situation. For example, I can think of more than one famous chemist whose views on political questions were completely prejudiced and unreasoned. In the history of chemistry there are examples of scientists who clune to theories lone after evidence was overwhelming against