In an era not so long ago, there lived a particular group of scientists who believed in the symbolic unity of the human race and the cosmos. As such, their fundamental beliefs were heavily derivative from mythological and spiritual aspects, with scientists trying to achieve two main things. That is, the Philosopher's Stone, and the Elixir of Life. These are the long ago alchemists, in the singular, alchemist.
The Philosopher's Stone was an incredible stone believed to possess the ability to transform simple elements, base metals, into noble form. That is, into metals such as silver and gold. Whereas they might not have succeeded, this search could well be identified as one of the main driving factors of alchemy as a science.
The Elixir of Life was believed to cure all illnesses and extend life and youth. Its main attraction came from its eternal life offering. This desire could probably have arisen from the desire to extend life's pleasures, or life quality, probably on the basis that the gods gave them the intelligence to do so.
As much as the fundamental aspects and beliefs held by alchemists of early time might amuse many in the 21st century, their means and methods of research, analysis, and deduction may be looked upon as the first foundation stones of modern science. In fact, one could even suppose that the truly differentiating difference between these two factions relies on the fact that alchemy believed in a natural and symbolic unity between humanity and the cosmos, whereas modern science puts that to rest.
It is, of course, true that alchemists' objectives might seem pretty lofty minded in the light of modern day knowledge, but the contribution to the development of modern science cannot be overestimated. It is this rudimentary scientist who, for instance, developed the preliminary methods of classification, the first instruments of experimentation, the first names of several elements, and probably most importantly, the scientific culture of conjuring hypotheses, carrying out research, analysis, and scientific deduction to test these same hypotheses.
Alchemy, thus, might have been a stumbling block to itself, as simple answers and means might not have provided the intellectual satisfaction of the philosophy-loving early scientists. But perhaps scientific knowledge of today might have been limited, had not these alchemist pioneers vested so much research into their seemingly pointless search.
The Philosopher's Stone was an incredible stone believed to possess the ability to transform simple elements, base metals, into noble form. That is, into metals such as silver and gold. Whereas they might not have succeeded, this search could well be identified as one of the main driving factors of alchemy as a science.
The Elixir of Life was believed to cure all illnesses and extend life and youth. Its main attraction came from its eternal life offering. This desire could probably have arisen from the desire to extend life's pleasures, or life quality, probably on the basis that the gods gave them the intelligence to do so.
As much as the fundamental aspects and beliefs held by alchemists of early time might amuse many in the 21st century, their means and methods of research, analysis, and deduction may be looked upon as the first foundation stones of modern science. In fact, one could even suppose that the truly differentiating difference between these two factions relies on the fact that alchemy believed in a natural and symbolic unity between humanity and the cosmos, whereas modern science puts that to rest.
It is, of course, true that alchemists' objectives might seem pretty lofty minded in the light of modern day knowledge, but the contribution to the development of modern science cannot be overestimated. It is this rudimentary scientist who, for instance, developed the preliminary methods of classification, the first instruments of experimentation, the first names of several elements, and probably most importantly, the scientific culture of conjuring hypotheses, carrying out research, analysis, and scientific deduction to test these same hypotheses.
Alchemy, thus, might have been a stumbling block to itself, as simple answers and means might not have provided the intellectual satisfaction of the philosophy-loving early scientists. But perhaps scientific knowledge of today might have been limited, had not these alchemist pioneers vested so much research into their seemingly pointless search.
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