Quo vadis, analytical chemistry?

This paper presents an open, personal, fresh approach to the future of Analytical Chemistry in the context of the deep changes Science and Technology are anticipated to experience. Its main aim is to challenge young analytical chemists because the future of our scientific discipline is in their hands. A description of not completely accurate overall conceptions of our discipline, both past and present, to be avoided is followed by a flexible, integral definition of Analytical Chemistry and its cornerstones (viz., aims and objectives, quality trade-offs, the third basic analytical reference, the information hierarchy, social responsibility, independent research, transfer of knowledge and technology, interfaces to other scientific-technical disciplines, and well-oriented education). The framework of our discipline in the coming years can be inferred from the description of the accurate general and specific paradigms taking into account the wrong, obsolete paradigms of the past. Finally, the three possible responses of analytical chemists to the proposed changes in our discipline are discussed.