Some comments on the views of Niaz, Rodriguez and Brito on Mendeleev’s periodic system

Many articles have been written about the value of incorporating an understanding of history and philosophy of science into science education and this has included the teaching of chemistry Given the immense role that the periodic table plays in chemistry it is important to be clear about a historical and philosophical perspective on the periodic table and its possible ramifications for the way in which chemistry is presented. The article presents a critique of a paper by Niaz, Rodriguez and Brito who have addressed the relevance of historical and philosophical aspects of the periodic table in an article in which they have claimed that Mendeleev’s periodic table should be regarded as a theory In addition they have claimed that Mendeleev was a supporter of the atomic theory and have addressed some general philosophical questions concerning inductivism and the role of prediction and accommodation in the acceptance of scientific discoveries.