Structuralism in Chemistry

An analysis of the use of the notions of "structure" and "function" in chemistry is presented. It is investigated how this can contribute to illuminate the current discussion concerning self-organization and natural selection in biology. Starting from the methodology used in organic syntheses it will be illustrated that in chemistry the natural way to link structure and function is offered by a reaction mechanism i.e. a particular sequence of events. Analysis of the methodology used in the kinetic modeling of complex chemical processes reveals that this link is being exploited but becomes obliterated in the final description of the behavior of the process. The relation with semiosis, the genotype/phenotype dichotomy, development system theory (P. Griffiths), process structuralism in biology (B. Goodwin) and the local/global dichotomy will be examined. Recent models on the origin of life as presented by S. Kauffman and Fontana's Alchemy will be discussed from this point of view.