The problem of alternative formalisms for the mathematical foundation of chemical thermodynamics

Chemical Thermodynamics, either considered as a part of Physical Chemistry or viewed as an autonomous science per se, appears in the literature usually in an applications-oriented form without any pretensions about a rigorous mathematical foundation. An immediate result of this practice is that its true conceptual structure is falsified, finally creating the impression that it is not a unified gnosiological entity but a compilation of heterogeneous principles or cliched computational algorithms. In this paper an attempt is made to point out the unified character of the principles of Chemical Thermodynamics. Out of the multitude of schools that in principle could be considered as candidates for the consecration of the proper school for the mathematical foundation of Chemical Thermodynamics, three are analysed: the Clausius-Kelvin school, the Gibbs school and the Hatsopoulos-Keenan school. Next, the view is analysed that each of these schools can be expounded in either of three ways: historically, heuristically or deductively. Finally, it is maintained that, the most effective way to indicate the unified character of the concepts and principles of Chemical Thermodynamics is the right choice of school for its mathematical foundation and the proper combination of the three basic methodologies in its presentation.