In human thermodynamics, John Francis Wojcik (1938-) is an American physical chemistry professor emeritus, of Catholic Villanova University, Pennsylvania, noted for his very opinionated objections, in the 2006 Rossini-Leonard-Wojcik debate, to assertions that chemical thermodynamics could be used to explain aspects of freedom and security in the human condition. [1]
Overview
In 2006, Wojcik, in his “A Response to Chemical Thermodynamics in the Real World”, gave the following argument in objection to chemical thermodynamics being used to explain and solve real world problems, such as freedom and security regulations in a post 9/11 world: [2]
“There is the danger that some will think that true human freedom can be measured in terms of some sort of calculus of simultaneous maximums and minimums. And worst of all, there is the danger that chemical thermodynamics will have ascribed to it a power that it simply does not have, namely, the power to ‘explain’ the human condition.”
Wojcik's underlying objection is a religious objection, similar to Christoph Wieland (1809), Pitirim Sorokin (1928), and Christopher Dawson (1957).
Education
Wojcik completed his PhD on “the Radioisotope Exchange of Nickelous, Cobaltous and Cupric Ions with their Ethylenediaminetetraacetato Complexes” in Ithaca, New York, in 1965. [3] Wojcik taught chemistry for one year, in 1965, at St. Francis College in Loretto, Pennsylvania. In 1966, Wojcik joined the chemistry department at Villanova University. He served as Chair of the chemistry department from 1990-1994. Wojcik announced his retirement from teaching chemistry effective August 15, 2006. [4]
References
1. Thims, Libb. (2007). Human Chemistry (Volume Two), (section: Rossini’s political thermodynamics, pgs. 679-88). (preview). Morrisville, NC: LuLu.
2. (a) Leonard, Harold, E. (2006). “Chemical Thermodynamics in the Real World.” (PDF) Letters, Journal of Chemical Education, (83) 39, Jan, No. 1. pg. 39.
(b) Wójcik, John F. (2006). ‘A Response to Chemical Thermodynamics in the Real World.’ (PDF) J. Chem. Educ. (83) 39.
3. Wojcik, John Francis. (1965). “the Radioisotope Exchange of Nickelous, Cobaltous and Cupric Ions with their Ethylenediaminetetraacetato Complexes”, Thesis/Disseration, Ithaca, N.Y.
4. Anon. (2006). “Departmental News”, June 01, Villanova University.
External links
● Wojcik, John Francis (1939-) – WorldCat Identities.
● John Wojcik (faculty) – Villanova University.