Carl Schorlemmer and Marxist Chemical Philosophy

Carl Schorlemmer (1834–1892) was a German chemist, historian of chemistry, and one of the founders of modern organic chemistry. He was not only a scientist who consciously applied dialectical materialism to scientific research, but also an outstanding communist and dialectical materialist. As a close comrade-in-arms of Marx and Engels, Schorlemmer often discussed philosophical questions of natural science with them, making important contributions to the development of Marxist chemical philosophy.

卡尔·肖莱马（Carl Schorlemmer，1834—1892）是德国化学家、化学史家、近代有机化学的奠基人之一。他不仅是一位自觉把唯物辩证法用于科学研究的科学家，还是一位优秀的共产主义者、辩证唯物主义者。作为马克思和恩格斯的亲密战友，肖莱马常与他们讨论自然科学的哲学问题，为马克思主义化学哲学的发展作出了重要贡献。

Research in Chemistry and Chemical Philosophy

化学与化学哲学研究

Schorlemmer applied dialectical materialism to his research in organic chemistry, firmly believing that the paraffin hydrocarbons (CnH2n+2) were the key to unlocking many secrets in the field of organic chemistry, thereby achieving breakthrough progress in this area.

肖莱马运用唯物辩证法从事有机化学研究，坚信脂肪烃（CnH2n+2）是揭开有机化学领域多种秘密的钥匙，从而在有机化学领域取得了突破性进展。

First, Schorlemmer put forward scientific theoretical predictions. He firmly believed that there was no insurmountable gap between organic and inorganic substances, and advanced the prediction that “the riddle of life can only be solved through the synthesis of protein compounds.” Drawing on the method Marx used in *Capital* to examine capitalist society, he regarded the paraffin hydrocarbons as the “cell” from which all organic compounds are derived, holding that all other organic compounds are derivatives of the paraffin hydrocarbons and that the chemistry of paraffin hydrocarbons is the foundation of organic chemistry. Engels affirmed Schorlemmer’s research method, believing that Schorlemmer selected the simplest substances in organic matter as his research object and was convinced that this would lay the foundation for this new science. Schorlemmer treated the paraffin hydrocarbons as the cell or elemental form of all organic matter and began studying organic chemistry from them. In this way, he initiated many important classical experiments and theoretical studies in organic chemistry.

首先，肖莱马提出了科学的理论预见。他坚信有机物与无机物之间并不存在什么不可逾越的鸿沟，提出了“生命之谜只有靠蛋白质化合物的合成才能解决”这一预见，并借鉴马克思在《资本论》中考察资本主义社会时所用的方法，将脂肪烃看成衍生一切有机化合物的“细胞”，坚信其他有机化合物都是脂肪烃的衍生物，认为脂肪烃化学是有机化学的基础。恩格斯对肖莱马的研究方法表示肯定，认为肖莱马挑选了有机物中最单纯的物质作为研究对象，并坚信其能够奠定这门新科学的基础。肖莱马将脂肪烃看成所有有机物的细胞或元素形式，并从研究脂肪烃开始研究有机化学。由此，肖莱马在有机化学领域开创了许多重要的经典实验和理论研究。

Second, Schorlemmer revealed the dialectical process of the generation of organic matter. When he first began his research in organic chemistry, the chemistry of paraffin hydrocarbons was still in its infancy. Taking the paraffin hydrocarbons in coal tar as his research object, he not only analyzed and verified that the components of this light oil were saturated hydrocarbons, but also determined their boiling points, vapor densities, elemental compositions, and molecular weights, and conducted systematic research on the composition of these hydrocarbons. Schorlemmer was the first to synthesize a series of corresponding derivatives such as chloroheptane, chlorooctane, heptyl acetate, octyl acetate, and n-heptanol, and discovered more complex organic compounds, marking a new development in modern organic chemistry. In summarizing and evaluating the status and significance of the paraffin hydrocarbons, he pointed out that hydrocarbons are not only the simplest carbon compounds but, from a theoretical perspective, the most important carbon compounds, because all other carbon compounds are derived from hydrocarbons by replacing hydrogen with other elements. Therefore, this branch of organic chemistry is often called the chemistry of hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Schorlemmer revealed the dialectical process by which matter progresses from basic elements forming inorganic and organic substances to complex living matter (protein bodies, etc.) and organic life—a process from the lower to the higher, from the simple to the complex, from the inorganic to organic living beings—and pointed out the interconnections among disciplines such as “inorganic chemistry → organic chemistry → biochemistry → biology.”

其次，肖莱马揭示了有机物生成的辩证过程。在他刚开始从事有机化学研究时，脂肪烃化学还处于襁褓阶段。他以煤焦油中的脂肪烃为研究对象，不仅分析和检验了这种轻油的成分是饱和的碳氢化合物，还测定了这些烃的沸点、蒸汽密度、元素组成和分子量等，并对这些碳氢化合物组成进行了系统研究。肖莱马首次合成制得氯庚烷、氯辛烷、醋酸庚脂、醋酸辛酯、正庚醇等一系列相应的衍生物，发现了更复杂的有机化合物，标志着近代有机化学的新发展。他在总结评价脂肪烃的地位及意义时指出，碳氢化合物（烃）不只是最简单的碳化合物，从理论观点看，它们还是最重要的碳化合物，因为一切其他碳化合物都是由烃中借其他元素取代氢而衍生出来的。因此，有机化学的这部分科学通常被称为烃及其衍生物的化学。肖莱马揭示了物质由基本元素构成无机物和有机物再到复杂生命物质（蛋白体等）和有机生命这个由低级到高级、由简单到复杂、由无机到有机生命体的辩证过程，并指出了“无机化学→有机化学→生物化学→生物学”等学科的相互关联。

Furthermore, Schorlemmer also studied so-called theoretical chemistry, that is, the fundamental laws of chemical science and its connections with neighboring sciences (physics and physiology). He believed that a new science is not created all at once; chemistry, as the science of atoms, is a product built on the foundation of physics, or the science of molecules, while physics itself is built on the foundation of mechanics, or the science of mass. Therefore, the development of chemistry cannot be separated from the development of physics and mechanics. Schorlemmer clarified the mutual transitions, connections, and historical order of development among chemistry, physics, and mechanics—an idea consistent with Engels’s view on the transformation of forms of motion of matter.

此外，肖莱马还研究了所谓理论化学，即化学科学的基本规律及与邻近科学（物理学和生理学）的联系。他认为，一门新的科学不是一下子就创造出来的，化学作为关于原子的科学，是建立在物理学或关于分子的科学基础之上的产物，而物理学又是建立在力学或关于质量的科学基础之上的。因此，化学的发展离不开物理学和力学这两门学科的发展。肖莱马指明了化学学科与物理学和力学之间的相互过渡、联系以及历史发展顺序，这一思想与恩格斯关于物质运动形态转化的观点相一致。

As a chemist, Schorlemmer not only applied dialectical materialism effectively to his own specialized field but also used chemical examples and historical materials to demonstrate the dialectical materialist principle concerning the relationship between productive practice and scientific theory. Through his own practical actions, he proved that engaging in natural science, the history of natural science, and the philosophy of natural science requires mastering a correct worldview and theoretical thinking, so as to achieve major breakthroughs.

作为化学家的肖莱马，不仅把唯物辩证法卓有成效地运用到自己的专业领域，还结合化学事例和化学史料论证了辩证唯物主义关于生产实践与科学理论的关系原理。他用自己的实际行动证明了从事自然科学、自然科学史和自然科学哲学研究必须掌握正确的世界观和理论思维，这样才能取得重大突破。

Research in the History of Chemistry

化学史研究

Influenced by Hermann Franz Moritz Kopp, Schorlemmer also conducted profound research on the general history of chemistry. He organically integrated chemistry teaching, chemical research, and the history of chemistry, studying the history of chemistry from the standpoint of historical materialism. He believed that chemists must master knowledge of the history of chemistry in order to have a higher vantage point and a broader perspective.

肖莱马受柯普（Hermann Franz Moritz Kopp）影响，对化学通史也有精深的研究。他把化学教学、化学研究和化学史这三者有机结合在一起，站在历史唯物主义的立场上研究化学史，认为化学家必须掌握化学史知识，才能有更高的站位、更广阔的视野。

Schorlemmer skillfully applied Marx’s dialectical materialism and historical materialism, systematically expounding the organic chemistry knowledge up to the 1870s in the form of chemical structure theory, thereby turning it into a scientific system of great historical significance. Schorlemmer’s *Textbook of Carbon Compounds or Organic Chemistry* (1871) was the first textbook written according to the principles of chemical structure theory. Once the German edition was published, it quickly became a standard textbook popular in various countries and was translated into many languages. This work is clear and concise, and still holds important academic reference value today. After becoming a professor of organic chemistry at Owens College, Schorlemmer offered a series of courses on the history of the development of organic chemistry for senior students, during which he collected a large amount of historical chemical materials and began writing a history of organic chemistry. His *The Rise and Development of Organic Chemistry* (1879) was the world’s first monograph on the history of organic chemistry.

肖莱马熟练运用马克思的辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义方法，将截止到19世纪70年代的有机化学知识，以化学结构理论的方式进行了系统阐述，使其成为科学体系，具有重大的历史意义。肖莱马编写的《碳化合物教程或有机化学教程》（1871）是第一部按化学结构原理撰写的教科书，德文版一经问世，很快成为各国流行的标准教本，并被译成多种文字出版。这部著作清晰、简练，至今依然有重要的学术参考价值。肖莱马在成为欧文斯学院有机化学专业的教授后，为高年级学生开设了一系列关于有机化学发展史的课程，其间收集了大量的化学史料，并着手有机化学史的写作。他撰写的《有机化学的产生和发展》（1879）是世界上第一部有机化学史专著。

In Schorlemmer’s time, writing a history of organic chemistry was extremely difficult. There were no existing similar works for reference, and the science was in rapid development, highly specialized, and rich in materials. The task required a comprehensive overview, familiarity with the chemical literature of various countries, and strong theoretical thinking. Schorlemmer’s ability to complete this history of organic chemistry was inseparable from his years of accumulated knowledge and his application of scientific research methods. He valued theoretical thinking and consciously applied the principles of dialectical materialism. When analyzing the general historical laws of the development of organic chemical theory, he clearly pointed out that existing theories are not dogmas but change constantly according to the laws of dialectics. Precisely because Schorlemmer could take a comprehensive view in his research on the history of chemistry, was adept at using dialectical thinking, and drew wisdom from it, he was not only familiar with the historical development process of human thought but also with the views on the universal interconnections of the external world that emerged in various eras. Thus, he completed this arduous and pioneering work in the history of organic chemistry. After its official publication, *The Rise and Development of Organic Chemistry* was widely welcomed and highly praised, and for a long time it was recognized as the only classic work on the history of organic chemistry available for citation.

在肖莱马那个时代，编写一部有机化学史是有极大难度的。当时没有现成的类似著作可供参考，并且这门科学又处于迅速发展中，专业性强，资料繁多，需要通观全局、熟悉各国化学文献且有极强的理论思维才能胜任这项工作。肖莱马能够完成这部有机化学史的撰写，离不开他多年的知识积累和科学研究方法的运用。他重视理论思维，自觉运用唯物辩证法的原理，在分析有机化学理论发展的普遍历史规律时，他明确指出，现有的理论并不是教条，而是按辩证法的规律不断变化的。正是因为肖莱马在化学史研究中能够统观全局，善于运用辩证思维，并从中汲取智慧，所以他不仅熟知人的思维的历史发展过程，而且熟知各个时代所出现的关于外在世界普遍联系的见解，从而完成了有机化学史研究这项艰辛的开创性工作。《有机化学的产生和发展》这部著作正式出版后，受到广泛欢迎和高度评价，并在很长一段时间内被认定为唯一一部可供引用的有机化学史经典著作。

The Spirit of a Scientist

科学家精神

Schorlemmer came from a poor background. Through his unceasing thirst for knowledge, he rose from an apprentice to a world-renowned scientist, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a professor of organic chemistry. He did not become arrogant; on the contrary, the more his knowledge grew, the more he became aware of his own shortcomings. Schorlemmer was optimistic, open-minded, warm-hearted, and frugal in his daily life. Even after his living conditions improved, he continued to live simply and plainly. In Engels’s view, Schorlemmer’s entire life circumstances served only to “provide the means for the laboratory and for theoretical work,” and not to seek comfort for himself. Schorlemmer was thrifty in his own life but very generous toward friends and comrades, always enthusiastically helping friends and students in need. As a chemist with communist convictions, Schorlemmer’s modest and selfless qualities set a model of the spirit of a scientist.

肖莱马出身贫寒，自身通过对知识的不断渴求，从学徒工到世界闻名的科学家、英国皇家学会会员、有机化学教授，他没有骄傲自大，甚至越随着学识的增长越是发现自己的不足。肖莱马乐观豁达、热情开朗、生活俭朴，即使生活条件改善后也依然过着简单朴素的生活。在恩格斯看来，肖莱马的全部生活处境，仅为“提供实验室和从事理论工作的手段”，而并不为自己谋求生活上的舒适。肖莱马生活节俭，对待朋友和同志却非常慷慨，总是热情帮助身边有困难的朋友、学生。作为一个有着共产主义信仰的化学家，肖莱马谦逊、无私的优秀品质，树立了科学家精神的典范。

As an outstanding chemist and a great communist, Schorlemmer possessed noble scientific ethics and ideological qualities. His scientific spirit of disregarding fame and gain, asking nothing in return, and devoting himself wholeheartedly to research, as well as his philosophical cultivation in consciously applying the dialectics of nature, are all worthy of praise. Schorlemmer’s research in Marxist chemical philosophy and the outstanding achievements he attained were the inevitable result of adhering to the guidance of scientific theory, providing important insights for scientific workers to deeply contemplate the relationship between scientific research and theoretical thinking.

作为杰出的化学家和伟大的共产主义者，肖莱马具有高尚的科学道德和思想品质。他不计名利、不问得失、一心钻研的科学家精神和自觉运用自然辩证法的哲学素养都值得称赞。肖莱马的马克思主义化学哲学研究以及取得的突出成就，是坚持科学理论指导的必然结果，为科学工作者深入思考科学研究与理论思维的关系提供了重要启示。

First, natural scientific research should attach importance to methods of theoretical thinking. In his chemical research, Schorlemmer consciously adhered to the guidance of the theoretical thinking methods of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, achieving remarkable scientific accomplishments in the fields of organic chemistry and the history of chemistry, thereby setting an example for contemporary scientific workers to value Marxist theoretical thinking methods. Scientific workers should actively study and master the theoretical thinking methods of Marxist science and use them to guide the practice of scientific research.

首先，自然科学研究应当重视理论思维方法。肖莱马在化学研究中，自觉坚持辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义理论思维方法的指导，在有机化学和化学史领域取得了令人瞩目的科学成就，为当代科学工作者重视马克思主义理论思维方法提供了榜样。科学工作者应主动学习和掌握马克思主义科学理论思维方法，并用以指导科学研究实践。

Second, adapting Marxism to the needs of the times requires the support of the natural sciences. In his interactions with Marx and Engels, Schorlemmer frequently discussed issues related to the natural sciences. When Marx was writing *Capital*, he needed to study the question of ground rent and required knowledge of agricultural chemistry. In his letter to Engels on January 3, 1868, he specifically asked Engels to consult Schorlemmer on the relevant issues and research progress. It is evident that Marx placed great importance on learning from and absorbing the theoretical achievements of the natural sciences when he was creating the theories of dialectical materialism and historical materialism. At present, in the process of advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the needs of the times, it remains necessary to pay attention to new developments and new achievements in the field of natural science. On the one hand, we must consciously absorb innovative achievements within the natural sciences, continuously enrich, perfect, and develop the theoretical system of Marxist science, so that it better reflects the demands of the times and leads the development of the times. On the other hand, Marx’s theory of science and technology is an important component of the Marxist ideological system; strengthening research on the Marxist theory of science and technology is of great significance for Marxism to continue to maintain its vitality and vigor.

其次，马克思主义时代化需要自然科学的支持。肖莱马在与马克思、恩格斯的交往中，经常讨论有关自然科学的问题。马克思在撰写《资本论》时，要研究地租问题，需要了解农业化学方面的相关知识。他在1868年1月3日致恩格斯的信中，专门托恩格斯向肖莱马咨询相关问题和研究进展。可见，马克思在创立辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义理论时非常重视学习和吸收自然科学的理论成果。当前，在推进马克思主义时代化的进程中，仍然需要重视自然科学领域的新发展、新成果。一方面，要自觉吸收自然科学领域内的创新性成果，不断丰富、完善、发展马克思主义科学理论体系，使其更好地体现时代要求并引领时代发展。另一方面，马克思的科学技术理论是马克思主义思想体系中的重要内容，加强马克思主义科学技术理论的研究，对于马克思主义继续保持生机与活力具有重要意义。

Online editor: Paul

网络编辑：保罗