Magic and Science: Alchemy

Justin Maher, Timothy Scribner,

Sam Notelovitz, & Noah Merle

Scientific Revolutions October 21, 2010

Magic and Science: A Fine Line - Abstract

Magic and science are generally considered to be starkly contrasting concepts, but while they may be polar opposites, there does exist a grey area between them. This grey area is Alchemy, a curious blend of magic, mysticism, pseudo-science, and chemistry that was, at one point, considered the number one form of “science” in medieval times.

Generally-speaking, the majority of ancient alchemical literature seems to originate from Egypt and China. Most scholars conclude from this that both countries can be considered the “birthplace” of Alchemy. While both countries had very different cultural stylings, they both embraced similar rules and doctrines when they developed Alchemy. It is worth noting, however, that these origins are still subject to considerable scholarly debate due to the fact ancient western alchemic writings are highly diverse in style and doctrine.

Interestingly enough, the Egyptians are the ones credited, however, with creating the concept of the “essential unity” of matter, which is the key concept that allowed philosophers much like Aristotle, to believe in the transmutation of gold from other substances.

When Alchemy expanded into Europe, Alchemy morphed into a new form often referred to as “Pseudo Alchemy”. Those that studied this version of Alchemy did not do so to help others or to explore its mysticism, rather, they studied and performed alchemy for personal gain. Many of these people were con-artists selling fake elixirs to uninformed citizens (this was a major contribution to some of the negative energy some alchemists received). By colleagues and other members of the community, these “alchemists” were simply called “puffers”. As the alchemic expansion continued through Europe, personal greed took over and alchemists became obsessed with finding a way to create gold, and the majority of Alchemyʼs original mysticism was tossed aside. Alchemyʼs final major change came with the publishing of “The Skeptical Chemist” by Robert Boyle, which provided valid chemical observations to certain phenomena, and an over all more scientific approach to chemical processes.

But what really is Alchemy? If we know science to be the objective study of the world around us, and magic to (seemingly) be a supernatural force that exerts control over the world around us, then what is Alchemy? The answer isnʼt very simple Iʼm afraid. Alchemy encompasses many of the concepts and methods modern science currently does, but at the same time readily employs the supernatural as explanation for things that cannot be explained by observation with the naked eye. Where Science would investigate something more aggressively and thoroughly if it met an obstacle it could not explain, Alchemy offers far more limited interest in further research. Instead it utilizes mysticism and the four elements to explain what it cannot.

Justin Maher, Timothy Scribner,

Sam Notelovitz, & Noah Merle

Scientific Revolutions October 21, 2010

Works Consulted

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