![]() ![]() Although these were not the only uses for the science, they were the ones most documented and well known. The best known goals of the alchemists were the transmutation of common metals into gold or silver, and the creation of a " panacea," a remedy that supposedly would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely. The creation of an elixir that would prolong life indefinitelyĪlchemy as a philosophical and spiritual discipline ![]() Throughout the history of the discipline, alchemists struggled to understand the nature of these principles, and find some order and sense in the results of their chemical experiments-which were often undermined by impure or poorly characterized reagents, the lack of quantitative measurements, and confusing and inconsistent nomenclature.Ģ. They had to rely on experimentation, traditional know-how, rules of thumb-and speculative thought in their attempts to uncover the mysteries of the physical universe.Īt the same time, it was clear to the alchemists that "something" was generally being conserved in chemical processes, even in the most dramatic changes of physical state and appearance that is, that substances contained some "principles" that could be hidden under many outer forms, and revealed by proper manipulation. These innovators attempted to explore the nature of chemical substances and processes. ![]() The common perception of alchemists is that they were pseudo-scientists, liars and charlatans, who attempted to turn lead into gold, believing that the universe was composed of the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water, and spent most of their time concocting miraculous remedies, poisons, and magic potions.Īlthough some alchemists were indeed posers, liars and charlatans, most were well-meaning and intelligent scholars and distinguished scientists such as Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle. "The alchemist", by Sir William Fettes Douglas, 1853 Nevertheless, alchemy was one of the main precursors of modern sciences, and many substances and processes of ancient alchemy continue to be the mainstay of modern chemical and metallurgical industries.Īlthough alchemy takes on many forms, in pop culture it is most often cited in stories, films, shows, and games as the process used to change lead (or other elements) into gold. ![]() Today, the discipline is of interest mainly to historians of science and philosophy, and for its mystic, esoteric, and artistic aspects. In the course of the early modern period, mainstream alchemy evolved into modern chemistry. These two disciplines influenced the birth of Rosicrucianism, an important esoteric movement of the seventeenth century. Western alchemy has always been closely connected with Hermeticism, a philosophical and spiritual system that traces its roots to Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretic Egyptian-Greek deity and legendary alchemist. Alchemy has been practiced in Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Persia, India, and China, in Classical Greece and Rome, in Muslim civilization, and then in Europe up to the 19th century-in a complex network of schools and philosophical systems spanning at least 2500 years. In the history of science, alchemy refers to both an early form of the investigation of nature and an early philosophical and spiritual discipline, both combining elements of chemistry, metallurgy, physics, medicine, astrology, semiotics, mysticism, spiritualism, and art. ![]()
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