The Art and (Proto)Science of Alchemy - Deepstash
The Art and (Proto)Science of Alchemy

The Art and (Proto)Science of Alchemy

Curated from: thoughtco.com

Ideas, facts & insights covering these topics:

6 ideas

·

4.04K reads

17

Explore the World's Best Ideas

Join today and uncover 100+ curated journeys from 50+ topics. Unlock access to our mobile app with extensive features.

Medieval Alchemy

Medieval Alchemy

Alchemy in the Middle Ages was a mixture of science, philosophy, and mysticism. Alchemists approached their craft, believing that purity of mind, body, and spirit was necessary.

Medieval alchemy was centered around the idea that all matter was composed of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. They theorized that the right combination could produce any substance on earth.

159

1.07K reads

Origins and History of Alchemy

  • Alchemy emerged independently in China, India, and Greece, but degenerated into superstition. It drifted to Egypt and survived as a scholarly discipline.
  • In the 12th century, it was revived in Europe when scholars translated Arabic works into Latin.
  • By the end of the 13th century, philosophers, scientists, and theologians started discussing is more seriously.

143

675 reads

The Goals of Medieval Alchemists

  • To discover the relationship of man to the cosmos.
  • To find the ingredient to make an elixir of immortality and transform common substances into gold.
  • Late in the Middle Ages, to use alchemy as a tool in the progress of medicine.

146

609 reads

Achievements of Alchemists in the Middle Ages

  • Medieval alchemists made hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, potash, and sodium carbonate.
  • They identified the elements arsenic, antimony, and bismuth.
  • They invented and developed laboratories that are still used today in a modified form.
  • The practice of alchemy laid the foundation for further development of chemistry as a scientific discipline.

140

569 reads

Disreputable Associations of Alchemy

  • Due to the secrecy of alchemists, the Catholic Church viewed alchemy with suspicion and ultimately condemned it.
  • Alchemy was never taught in Universities but passed on from teacher to apprentice or student.
  • Followers of the occult were attracted to alchemy.
  • Alchemy was used to defraud people.

138

543 reads

Famous Medieval Alchemists

  • Thomas Aquinas, a theologian, studied alchemy before it was condemned by the Church.
  • Roger Bacon was the first European to describe how to make gunpowder.
  • Paracelsus used his knowledge of chemical processes to benefit the science of medicine.

140

575 reads

IDEAS CURATED BY

olie_kaur

Zen All Day All The Way ☮️

Olivia Kaur's ideas are part of this journey:

The Imposter Cure

Learn more about personaldevelopment with this collection

Strategies for building self-confidence

Techniques for embracing your strengths and accomplishments

Tips for seeking support and feedback

Related collections

Read & Learn

20x Faster

without
deepstash

with
deepstash

with

deepstash

Personalized microlearning

100+ Learning Journeys

Access to 200,000+ ideas

Access to the mobile app

Unlimited idea saving

Unlimited history

Unlimited listening to ideas

Downloading & offline access

Supercharge your mind with one idea per day

Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.

Email

I agree to receive email updates