How much science should there be in philosophy?

Conference season means a lot of travelling and catching up with friends. This year I have been particularly fortunate to present my work on chemical reactions not just in conferences that are dedicated to the philosophy of chemistry, but also in events that are interested more broadly in philosophy and philosophy of science. 

Discussing chemistry in philosophy conferences is not particularly common, and it is difficult to find more than three or four researchers of chemistry at such events. In fact, the more international, popular or competitive a conference, the harder it is to find philosophers of chemistry participating in it. Part of the reason is that philosophers are more interested in studying mathematics, physics and biology. What motivates interests in these sciences over chemistry has partly to do with one’s views on how chemistry relates to fundamental physics. But another reason for having a smaller representation in the community has to do with a very passionate debate about the role science in general should play in philosophical investigations.