Alchemys Influence on the Rise of Modern Chemistry

Abstract

“Alchemy: How a philosophical world view led to modern chemistry” By Student’s Name Professor’s name 5th May 2021 Paper outline Introduction Alchemy was a significant element of the intellectual discussion in the era of scientific revolution and it had a substantial influence on the development of modern chemistry General Alchemy Archaic outline of art, Lead into Gold and Spiritual representation Western Alchemy Philosophers Stone, Life and longevity, Ancient Egyptians, Influence of Alexander the great, Islamic world and alchemical ideas India Alchemy Influence of Alexander the Great, Rasayana, Dharmic Faith, Pre-Vedic period , Elixir of life and Tantric cult Chinese Alchemy Dzou Yen, Alchemy in ruling and secret to immortality, Cinnabar, Mercury And Characteristics (Taoism) The Collapse of Alchemy Modern sciences, Religion influence, Contemporary society, Rosicrucian and Freemasons Alchemy in Modern Science Background Symbolism and Secrecy (venomous dragon or mother egg to symbolize mercury), Religious influence and the components of water, fire, earth and air Main Examples: Robert Boyle (1627-1691) and Isaac Newton: Theory of universal Gravitation Other Examples Andreas Libavius (1540-1616), The introduction of metallurgy and Andreas Libavius by 1555-1616 AD Comparison Examination of elements by experiment and Flaws of Alchemy ideas Impact Experimental approach into chemistry, Chemical substances and their transformation, Flame and color tests (acid-base indicator), Use of hydrochloric acid, Recognition of language (chemical categorization & naming principles), Chemical composition, Increase in the number of elements and Scientific revolution Conclusion Work cited Introduction Alchemy was a significant element of the intellectual discussion in the era of scientific revolution and it had a substantial influence on the development of modern chemistry. The field of chemistry gained from many fields such as alchemy, glass production, medicine, making of pottery and metallurgy (Chandler). Alchemy is commonly recognised as an ancient proto-science founded on false notion that is of less significance to the contemporary chemistry. The facts however show how chemistry is derived from alchemy, which contains philosophical customs and chemical records across many millennia in Europe, Middle East, India, and China (The Spaced-Out Scientist). In truth, alchemy has participated in substantial function in the events that led to modern chemistry, psychology and medicine. General Alchemy The term Alchemy can in general be described as an archaic outline of art that seeks for cleansing of the soul and wickedness. This is in comparison with the transformation of chemical components where gold represents perfection. Alchemists created pharmaceuticals and medicines towards their attempts to comprehend the material foundation of the universe (The Spaced-Out Scientist). Even though these alchemists focused on concrete chemistry and medicine, transforming lead into gold represented a spiritual change similar to a new awareness existing in every form that created the world. Western Alchemy The Western alchemy attained perfection through the activities of the philosophers Stone. The supposed truth of these alchemists was that it could alter any substance into gold, increase life span and heal diseases (The Spaced-Out Scientist). The term Philosophers Stone is derived from “prima material” meaning a prehistoric formless foundation of every matter, same as our modern ideas of dark matter. The Ancient Egyptians are considered as among the first experts of Alchemy during the period of 2000 BC. In the past, a great deal of chemical concepts in Egypt was connected to preserving the deceased and spiritual practices (The Spaced-Out Scientist). In history, Alexander the Great, the archaic Greek king triumphed over Egypt and discovered Alexandria during 331 BC (The Spaced-Out Scientist). These Alexandria developed into the intellectual and cultural point of the old world. It also became a serious focus for alchemy that brought together Jewish, Egyptian and Greek knowledge and civilization. The era of 400 to 600 AD, is characterised with the loss of many Alchemical texts. The remaining texts were modified to Islamic world. This was due to the recurring obliteration of anti-Christian texts and the Library of Alexandria all through the late Roman Empire (The Spaced-Out Scientist). In turn, the Islamic world developed into a serious central part for alchemical ideas. Gradually, the movements that started in 1096 AD introduced the West into the Islamic world knowledge and this resulted to re-appearance of alchemy in medieval Europe Empire (The Spaced-Out Scientist). It recovered recognition in Renaissance Europe and at the end of 17th century, several distinguished modern scientists such as Isaac Newton and Robert Boyle, categorised as the father of chemistry were already alchemists. Indian Alchemy In 325 BC, Alexander the Great attacked India and this signifies that there is a probable extent of influence that exists between Greco-Egyptian and Indian alchemy. The past of Indian alchemy can be drawn to pre-Vedic era. It obtained its color and essence majorly from the Tantric cult (Murray). Subsequently in iatro-chemical era, all the earlier build up alchemical concepts were touchable (Murray). The definition of Indian alchemy (Rasayana) that represents the art of influencing Rasa, symbolizing nectar/mercury, was strongly connected to the Dharmic faiths (The Spaced-Out Scientist). These faiths include Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. During 18th century, the word rasa-Rasayana originally appeared Hindu and Buddhist tantric books in indication to the supernatural influence (siddhi) of getting a mysterious elixir. The beginning of Indian alchemy was nearly in 1200 BC derived from Ayurvedic medicine centred on prolonging life (Murray). The Indian alchemists developed medicines consisting of different metals, such as mercury and additional substances that were mixed with the herbs. The archaeological mining at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro that exist in Indus valley provides evidence that indicate that archaic India were having chemical knowledge at the beginning of pre-historic time (Murray). During the era of Vedic, single herbs were imposed while animals and mineral substances were also stipulated with exception of compound preparations (Murray). Alchemy began in India with the objective of organizing an elixir of existence to prolong life span and gradually for the process of transmutation to help change base metals into gold. Chinese Alchemy The approximation of the beginning of Chinese Alchemy is between 400 BC – 100 AD. The subjective evidence derived from sources states an alchemist known as Dzou Yen who existed in the 400 BC and was highly recognised by the dignified and royal courts (Chandler). He is considered to have assured his patrons that he had the ability of using alchemy to supplement the coffers and utilize occult powers to show them on strategies of ruling their kingdoms and territories to impeccable results (Chandler). Another alchemist made entrance into the palace to proclaim that he had identified the secret to immortality. This ideology of increasing life span developed into the foundation of Chinese alchemists as their type of Philosopher’s Stone (Chandler). At this point, Chinese alchemy became connected with customary Chinese medicine, which operated by attempting to create peace to the body and soul. Chinese alchemy was characterised to Taoism and Chinese customary medicine, Tai Chi, Qigong and Acupuncture. Taoism is centred on theory of opposite forces such as the Yin as the female (passive element) and the Yang as the male (active element) (Chandler). According to alchemist, adding more substance containing Yang would give a long life. The features of pure gold was linked to substance rich in Yang while cinnabar as a mineral was viewed as the most appropriate (Chandler). Cinnabar is rich in mercury seen an element of life and longevity. However, this method was not successful but the popularity of gold increased as alchemists figured out that eating mercury does not provide good health while gold only had fewer consequences. It is also centred on the cleansing of the body in spirit with the expectations of achieving immortality (The Spaced-Out Scientist). The approach of Chinese alchemists was the invention of alchemical medicines which in most cases consisted of metals such as gold, and silver. Most of the core ideas of Western, Chinese and Indian alchemy are extremely the same. It is not clear whether these categories of alchemy share mutual origin and influence (The Spaced-Out Scientist). But as of 334-323 B.C., Alexander the Great won over major regions of the East, which promoted the exchange of knowledge between the cultures of the west and East, hence the possibility of the influence. The Collapse of Alchemy Alchemy as a significant intellectual and philosophical custom existing for many millennia unexpectedly declined from the Western knowledge. The reason behind this sudden change was due to the concepts of Indian and Chinese alchemy being soaked up by modern science and chemistry (The Spaced-Out Scientist). Other features were sustained in diverse systems like Qigong, Acupuncture, Ayurvedic and Hindu customary medicines. During 18th century, Western alchemy began to decline after disconnecting itself from religion and accepting the concepts of scientific approach. Since alchemy was generally viewed as the concept of making gold, it enabled the popular notion that alchemy is superstition and false (The Spaced-Out Scientist). In addition, inappropriate translations of matured texts with obscure and religious interpretations enabled the collapse of alchemy. However, alchemy is still present in the contemporary society by few practitioners who concentrated on symbolic and religious components of alchemy mixed with a new era method. A small number of alchemical methods are still strongly practiced in customary medicines by mixing pharmacological and religious concepts (The Spaced-Out Scientist). This also includes several undisclosed societies like Rosicrucian and Freemasons who have constantly harbour interest towards alchemical representation. Alchemy in Modern Science Alchemy managed to influence major aspects of modern science. For instance, it played a major role to manufacture of gunpowder, dyes, cosmetics, paints, and also in refining, and metalwork (The Spaced-Out Scientist). Alchemists developed a thought about chemical components into the first basic periodic tables and established the procedure of representation to Western Europe. Background Originally, the work of alchemists was focused on symbolism and secrecy all through the middle ages. This was due to strong religious situations of that time. Majority of alchemists encountered inquisition intimidation in case their experiments were viewed critically (The Spaced-Out Scientist). This inquisition was introduced by Catholic Church in the 13th century with the hopes of punishing individuals who went against the religious power (The Spaced-Out Scientist). The methods of punishment consisted of serious infliction of injuries and probable death. Furthermore, alchemists dreaded the thought that important surreptitious they discovered were probable to cause evil at the hands of immoral individuals. The outcome compelled alchemists to use symbols and oblique language that caused difficulties for strangers to understand their work for instance, using names like venomous dragon or mother egg to symbolize mercury. Alchemists recognised that all matter was derived from the components of water, fire, earth and air in various arrangements and parts. This means silver was believed to constitute of these four components same as were bricks or any other thing in the world (The Spaced-Out Scientist). Alchemy focused on attempting to change the parts of these components into creating appropriate substances. Basing on the idea that matter consists of four components, all chemical reaction was a type of transmutation, which is described as a transformation in which a kind of matter changes into another (The Spaced-Out Scientist). Take for example the probability that lead could transmute to gold. However, it is clear today that...