In his hands it produced a revolution in chemistry.
The abandonment of the phlogistic theory is an illustration of the readiness with which scientific hypotheses are surrendered, when found to be wanting in accordance with facts.

Authority and tradition pass for nothing.

Every thing is settled by an appeal to Nature.

It is assumed that the answers she gives to a practical interrogation will ever be true.
Comparing now the philosophical principles on which science was proceeding, with the principles on which ecclesiasticism rested, we see that, while the former repudiated tradition, to the latter it was the main support while the former insisted on the agreement of calculation and observation, or the correspondence of reasoning and fact, the latter leaned upon mysteries; while the former summarily rejected its own theories, if it saw that they could not be coordinated with Nature, the latter found merit in a faith that blindly accepted the inexplicable, a satisfied contemplation of "things above reason." The alienation between the two continually increased.

On one side there was a sentiment of disdain, on the other a sentiment of hatred.