What is the Philosopher's Stone?
1 Answer
Long sought by Medieval Alchemists, the Philosopher's Stone was a legendary substance that would let base metals be turned to gold, and even to confer long life.
Explanation:
The 'grand theory' of everything that dominated scientific thinking for centuries from the end of Rome, all through until the 18th century could best be explained in the Quadrivium. This was a school of thinking that linked mathematics, architecture, music, and astronomy into a single integrated whole. It was simple enough to try to tack on Astrology and Alchemy to the contents of the Quadrivium.
The Philosopher's Stone was a substance -- a pure or ideal 'element' from which all other elements (earth, air, fire, and water) derived. If this 'prima materia' could be found, it should then be possible to manipulate matter. Thus lead could be turned into silver and gold... and the Alchemist who discovered this would be come rich! Of course, amateur dabbling with mercury, early acids, and heavy metals had its many hazards.
The other belief was that if the substance could be discovered, it could bring the 'Humours' in the body (Blood, Yellow Bile, Black Bile and Phlegm) back into balance and perfect one's health.
Any number of 'Natural Philosophers' from 300 AD to 1650 believed it would be possible to find the Philosopher's Stone.
