The Scientific Idea we are proposing as a worthwhile field of exploration is the theory of the Philosopher’s Stone. The idea behind the Stone is that it is a powerful healing device, and is also capable of turning lesser metals into the purest gold with a touch. We feel the Stone’s ability to create gold is far outweighed by its potential healing capabilities. Theophrastus Paracelsus, a leading alchemist of the Renaissance, stated in one of his writings, “[With the Philosopher's Stone}, I have cured the leprosy, venereal disease, dropsy, the falling sickness, colic, scab, and similar afflictions; also lupus, cancer, noli-me-tangere, fistulas, and the whole race of internal diseases, more surely than one could believe.” (Paracelsus). As preposterous as this sounds, the idea of the Philosopher’s Stone is by no means the dream of some crazy loon. There are references referring to objects of various names that share all the qualities of the Philosopher’s Stone that date as far back to the time of Islam’s Abraham. By following in the footsteps of Alchemy’s pioneers, and adapting their take on the world, we hope that one day the science of Alchemy will be developed and explored enough to transmute a successful Philosopher’s Stone, capable of unfathomable feats of healing. The vastly beneficial medicinal implementations of a true Philosopher’s Stone could improve the standard of living for all humans. It is for this reason that our presentation will attempt to convince an audience of Renaissance men and women that studying Alchemy and the Philosopher’s stone will benefit their lives directly.
Click here to learn more about what was standard medical practice at the time.
Paracelsus, Theophrastus B. The Book Concerning the Tincture of the Philosophers. London: J.H. Oxon, 1660.
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13 comments:
This presentation has a lot to prove but I think it is important to talk about. You state that a lot of people thouht he was crazy or did not know what he was saying and I am curious to find out what their beliefs currently were and why they were so against him changing them. I think this will be an interesting presentation but one that has to be closely paid attention to
The existence of the philosophers stone was, more than likely, seen as a quack fantasy. Though, the concept of the stone probably would bring about a striving for bettering medical science. As Darrien said, I'm really interested in what their beliefs were about this particular idea of an all healing stone.
-Maureen Bonsignore
As opposed to my groups project, which was linked directly to science, this deals with a whole new strand of ideas. I would really like to understand further what the Philosopher's Stone really is. I understand that it is supposed to have healing power, but was it seen to be an object or a state of being? Could many people attain this "stone " or only a few people?
Has there been anything close to what we would comsider a Philosopher's Stone created or found? Do you think that there would be a difference in what would be more valuable now as opposed to back then? I.E- A supstance that cures cancer, rather than something that turns all other elements to gold.
I think the idea of a stone that can heal all kinds of diseases seems like something people during this time period would believe. My question is, how many of these stones were there? Was it only one and all mighty, or multiple?
This will be an interesting presentation. I would like to know more about the philosopher stone and how it was obtained. How did they come to find that the stone had healing powers?
Very interesting concept, that a pure stone could have so much potential. What led Paracelsus to believe that this Philosopher's stone had these powers? Was there any evidence of the stone being found? How much science is really involved within Alchemy?
The thought of the philosophers stone sounds like a miracle but if it does exist and works what would happen to the population? how much would it rise and would the world get over populated?
The thought of the philosophers stone sounds like a miracle but if it does exist and works what would happen to the population? how much would it rise and would the world get over populated?
It will be interesting to see how our class as a "historical audience" will react to this topic. I am curious about how this idea was received and how it benefited people during the renaissance. Was any object ever discovered that is known as a healing device that benefits all?
This idea is very interesting to me and i wonder how it is dispersed throughout society...wouldn't everyone want it and perhaps fight over it??? And who was allowed to be around it? if not just anyone.
What modern science has come from this discovery? I personally would like to know if this philosophers stone has been found or recreated recently, and if it was what was claimed at the time.
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