Alchemy

Alchemy is an early protoscientific practice combining elements of chemistry, physics, astrology, art, semiotics, metallurgy, medicine, and mysticism. These practices were usually used outside of what is now known as the scientific method, however, alchemy can be regarded as the precursor of the modern science of chemistry prior to the formulation of the scientific method.

Overview

The common perception of alchemists is that they were pseudo-scientists who attempted to turn lead into gold, believed all existence was composed of the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water, which they saw as similar in concept to the 'phase states' of modern chemistry (rather than types of atoms, as modern science uses the word 'element.')

Related Topics:
Pseudo-scientists - Lead - Gold - Four elements

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They were attempting to explore and investigate nature before the basic scientific tools and practices were available, relying instead on rules of thumb, traditions, basic observations, and mysticism to fill in the gaps. Alchemists were often involved in mysticism and magic.

Related Topics:
Rules of thumb - Mysticism - Magic

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To the alchemist, there was no compelling reason to separate the chemical (material) dimension from the interpretive, symbolic or philosophical one. In those times a physics devoid of metaphysical insight would have been as partial and incomplete as a metaphysics devoid of physical manifestation. So the alchemical symbols and processes often had both an inner meaning referring to the spiritual development of the practitioner as well as a material meaning connected to physical transformation of matter. In this way his view might be said to have been something of a chemical Gestalt.

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In one aspect of the alchemical world view the transmutation of base metals into gold symbolized an endeavour toward perfection or the utmost heights of actual existence. The alchemists believed that the whole universe was tending towards a state of perfection; and gold, due to its immunity to decay, was considered to be the most perfect of substances. By attempting to transmute base metals into gold, they were, in effect, trying to give the universe a helping hand. It was also logical to think that understanding the secret of gold's immutability might provide the key to ward off disease and organic decay; hence the intertwining of chemical, spiritual and astrological themes that was characteristic of medieval alchemy.

Related Topics:
Transmutation - Metal - Astrological

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Thus, the naïve interpretations of some alchemists, or the fraudulent hopes fostered by others should not diminish the undertakings of the more sincere practitioners. From the point of view of modern science, looking back, the field of alchemy evolved greatly over time, beginning as a practical approach to mystical discipline, maturing into a rich field of study in its own right, devolving into mysticism and outright charlatanism, and in the end providing some of the fundamental empirical knowledge of the fields of chemistry and modern medicine. The alchemists themselves suggest that the eventual development of chemistry, out of the Hermetic tradition, was a corruption of one (more base) aspect of alchemy.

Related Topics:
Empirical knowledge - Medicine

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Up to the 18th century, alchemy was actually considered serious science in Europe; for instance, Isaac Newton devoted considerably more of his time and writing to the study of alchemy than he did to either optics or physics, for which he is famous, (see Isaac Newton's occult studies). Other eminent alchemists of the Western world are Roger Bacon, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Tycho Brahe, Thomas Browne, and Parmigianino. The decline of alchemy began in the 18th century with the birth of modern chemistry, which provided a more precise and reliable framework for matter transmutations and medicine, within a new grand design of the universe based on rational materialism.

Related Topics:
18th century - Isaac Newton - Isaac Newton's occult studies - Roger Bacon - Thomas Aquinas - Tycho Brahe - Thomas Browne - Parmigianino

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In the first half of the nineteenth century, one established chemist, Baron Carl Reichenbach, researched on concepts similar to the old alchemy, such as the Odic force, but his research did not enter the mainstream of scientific discussion.

Related Topics:
Carl Reichenbach - Odic force

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Matter transmutation, the old ideal of alchemy, enjoyed a moment in the sun in the 20th century when physicists were able to convert lead atoms into gold atoms via a nuclear reaction. However, the new gold atoms, being unstable isotopes, lasted for under five seconds before they broke apart. More recently, reports of table-top element transmutation — by means of electrolysis or sonic cavitation — were the pivot of the cold fusion controversy of 1989. None of those claims have yet been reliably duplicated.

Related Topics:
20th century - Nuclear reaction - Isotope - Electrolysis - Sonic cavitation - Cold fusion

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Alchemical symbolism has been occasionally used in the 20th century by psychologists and philosophers. Carl Jung reexamined alchemical symbolism and theory and began to show the inner meaning of alchemical work as a spiritual path. Alchemical philosophy, symbols and methods have enjoyed something of a renaissance in post-modern contexts, such as the New Age movement. Even some physicists have played with alchemical ideas in books such as The Tao of Physics and The Dancing Wu Li Masters.

Related Topics:
20th century - Psychologists - Carl Jung - Spiritual - Post-modern - New Age - The Tao of Physics - The Dancing Wu Li Masters

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The history of alchemy has become a vigorous academic field. As the obscure—hermetic, of course—language of the alchemists is gradually being "deciphered", historians are becoming more aware of the intellectual connections between that discipline and other facets of Western cultural history, such as the Rosicrucian society and other mystic societies, witchcraft, and of course the evolution of science and philosophy.

Related Topics:
Rosicrucian society - Witchcraft - Science - Philosophy

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