...In modern times, the ancient science of alchemy appears to have drifted in to the realm of science fiction. Regarded as nonsensical, many view alchemy as pointless. After all, their goals were impossible and their methods dangerous. Compared to the rationality of modern science, alchemy was full of supernatural fiction. Yet, it would be foolish to claim it was unimportant when it clearly influenced many modern sciences. Many great scientists were themselves alchemists. Many methods modern chemists use derive from methods of alchemy. While unsuccessful in its endeavors, it was alchemy that birthed chemistry as we know it today. The main goal of alchemy is change: to change lead into gold, to change old into youth, to change sickness into health...
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...There are many ways to examine the subject of alchemy, including alchemy as a source of symbolism, psychology, and mysticism. It has also been an influence on the world view of various writers, artist, and musicians. The focus of this report is alchemy as a pre-chemistry, which gave a new impulse towards the preparation of medicinal remedies and also was a major influence on today's scientific investigations. Alchemy is an ancient art, practiced in the Middle Ages. The fundamental concept of alchemy stemmed from Aristotle's doctrine that all things tend to reach perfection. Because other metals were thought to be less perfect than gold, it was reasonable to believe that nature created gold out of other metals found deep within the earth and that a skilled artisan could duplicate this process. It was said that once someone was able to change, or transmute a "base" chemical into the perfect metal, gold, they would have achieved eternal life and salvation. In this way, alchemy turned into not only a scientific quest, but a spiritual quest as well. Although the purposes and techniques were often times ritualistic and fanciful, alchemy was in many ways the predecessor of modern science, especially the science of chemistry. The birthplace of alchemy was ancient Egypt, where, in Alexandria, it began to flourish during the Hellenistic period. Also at that time, a school of alchemy was developing in China. The writings of some Greek philosophers may be considered to be among the...
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...14579 First-Year Byrne Seminar Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist: A contemporary quest of self-fulfillment and joy HCK 131 Tuesdays 2:15-3:35 Dr. Dámaris M. Otero-Torres Department of Spanish and Portuguese 104A Carpender Hall DC Office hours: by appointment e-mail: dotero@spanport.rutgers.edu phone: 732. 848.6874 seminar description: Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is as a modern classic. Originally published in Portuguese in 1988, this novel has since been translated into 67 languages, becoming one of the best-selling books in history. Inspired by the teachings of ancient alchemy, the story narrates the adventures of a shepherd named Santiago, as he travels through the African desert in the pursuit of his dream: to see the pyramids in Egypt. As he journeys through the desert, Santiago becomes the ultimate alchemist when he learns to transform his life by tapping into the language of the soul. Our first goal in the seminar will be two-fold: to explore the contemplative principles of ancient alchemy as the foundation for this allegorical text and to delve into the “messy” stages of a hero’s journey. In medieval times, alchemy was considered a science, aimed specifically to transmute base metals into gold, to discover a universal cure for disease, and to prolong life. In our days, “alchemy” is basically understood as a metaphor for personal transformation. Indeed, the poetic connotations of the word “alchemy” underscore its lack of substantive merit to make it...
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...doubt that it won’t be an easy process, there will be obstacles, and there will be challenges, how you overcome these things are up to you. Your reaction to these hardships could in fact make it or break it. This process of achieving your dreams is shown in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Coelho’s novel was written to show the importance of dreams and having something to live for. In an interview with a magazine, Coelho explained, “The Alchemist is about -- well, it is a fable about the necessity we have to follow our dreams.” Coelho also added, “They will lose their jobs, they will start having problems, but it is the only choice because in any case, you have to pay a price for your dreams,” when he was asked about the problems that may evoke when people would start chasing their dreams. To Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist was written to show the self sacrifice that needed to be made to follow your dreams. The Alchemist outlines the adventures of Santiago, as young shepherd, as he travels from his homeland in Spain to Egypt in search of a treasure that appears in his dreams. During this journey he meets many people such as a wise king, a merchant in fear to live out his dreams, his true love and the Alchemist. On the way to the pyramids, he comes across numerous difficulties and temptations but moves on undeterred to fulfill his dreams. Santiago must go on a journey alone, sacrificing his sheep, his love, and comfort of his...
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...Aristotle and other Greek philosophers believed that only pure thought was reliable and the senses could not be trusted. They used deductive reasoning, or going from one truth to another, such as “All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore Socrates is mortal.” This prevented verifiable experiments from taking place. Alchemists, on the other hand, used inductive reasoning by conducting experiments. Alchemists allowed for the advancement in science. The Greek idea that only thoughts were pure and that senses were tainted halted scientific progress, but the alchemists changed that. Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan, a famous alchemist, said, “He who performs not practical work nor makes experiments will never attain to the least degree of mastery.”...
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...Background Information In the past, alchemy grew in popularity from as early as 300BC for the hopes of changing matter of lesser value into its greatest potential. Alchemy mainly practiced the act of transmutation: the changing of one element into another element. The practice is most commonly known for the goal of converting metals, such as lead, into gold. However, around the 17th and 18th century, alchemy’s relevance diminished as chemistry went on the rise during this time. With this decline of alchemy continuing, should alchemy be titled as a dead science, pseudoscience or to never actually be considered as a science? In recent history, chemistry emerged from alchemy, and ever since then alchemy was only a thing of the past. Ultimately, one classifies the practice of alchemy as no more than just a pseudoscience. Alchemy has been practice universally and has undergone multiple forms causing a lack of accuracy and clarity in its purpose. The practice of alchemy also revolved around the spiritual view of the world,...
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...“Marigolds”, by Eugenia Collier, the marigolds represent hope and all positive aspects. In the novel, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, there are profuse amounts of symbolism, yet the most noteworthy being that of alchemy which represents Santiago's, or the protagonists, need to rid himself of impurities. These symbols are similar seeing as the marigolds are too perfect amongst the destruction surrounding them, making them an impurity which Lizabeth, the primary character in “Marigolds,” destroys as her right of passage; equivalent to Santiago having to rid himself of impurities to...
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...Even a short story taking place during the Great Depression and a novel about a young man's journey across a vast desert can have similarities. In the short story, “Marigolds”, by Eugenia Collier, the marigolds represent hope and all positive aspects. In the novel, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, there are profuse amounts of symbolism, yet the most noteworthy being that of alchemy which represents Santiago's, or the protagonists, need to rid himself of impurities. These symbols are similar seeing as the marigolds are too perfect amongst the destruction surrounding them, making them an impurity which Lizabeth, the primary character in “Marigolds,” destroys as her right of passage; equivalent to Santiago having to rid himself of impurities to...
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....2. Definition of literary criticism Literary criticism is the study, analysis, and evaluation of imaginative literature. Everyone who expresses an opinion about a book, a song, a play, or a movie is a critic, but not everyone’s opinion is based upon thought, reflection, analysis, or consistently principles. A single thought does not reflect a complete criticism. To develop literary criticism or any type of academic criticism, a student needs to support his/her ideas with examples from the text. 4. Examples (Frankenstein and Hamlet) Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is an early product of the modern Western world. Written during the Romantic movement of the early 19th century, the book exemplifies themes that were born from the romantic era. The liberation of European revolutions came with high ideals and a strong belief in man's influence over his environment. In Shelley's novel, the reader can see the harsh reality that takes hold of such ideals. The book provides the concepts of the romantic disillusionment with the established order produced a crisis of idealism, faith in human perfectibility, and revolutionary energy. 6. Historical Analysis of the story How does the work reflect the time in which it was written? * In the XIX century, the creationism was in crisis, so that the positivism appeared, -although not totally- the faith in science replaced faith in God. In the story, science itself becomes religion not only for Aylmer but also for Georgina (along...
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...Zachary Pashenee College Writing/Research Mr. Kreiner 4/14/11 Critical Analysis The Alchemist Paulo Coehlo’s novel “The Alchemist” is a narrative story written in third person omniscient. On the surface, the title may be viewed simply as the title of a key character in the story. However, the title holds a much deeper meaning. The author, in the novel “The Alchemist,” is actually drawing many parallels from the teachings of alchemy and he is applying them to a healthy lifestyle. As you read deeper you discover an ever deeper level of connection as Paulo creates a philosophical map to reach your goals and dreams. Alchemy at its very basic fundamentals is an ancient practice of taking something invaluable and, through change, making it valuable. A teaching that allows insight into a very important life quality: using the resources you have to your advantage. “When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises” (29). This is a quintessential element in “The Alchemist.” Santiago, the main character, embarks on a journey after a dream reveals to him a destination of hidden treasure in the Egyptian desert. Each day Santiago faces new challenges on the road to his treasure, and each time he accepts these challenges and turns them into steps that bring him closer to his treasure. The author makes Santiago very relatable throughout the novel by creating the absence of a name. Allowing...
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...In the following research paper, it will be argued that Lavoisier single-handedly advanced chemistry from the long-lasting period of alchemy to the era of modern chemistry that we know today. In support of such claim, Lavoisier’s discrediting of the phlogiston theory in 1778 and subsequent publication of “Elements of Chemistry” in 1787 will be discussed, with mention being made to Lavoisier’s implementation of algebra into his chemical equations. The question that will be asked is why did alchemy have to be replaced? What made the public and scientific community shy away from alchemy, and what were Lavoisier’s effect in that? When chemistry emerged, it became a concise practice that aided in bridging the gap between the natural sciences....
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...and so does every grain of sand. Soul doesn’t only keep us alive but it supports our existence as well. Soul gives meaning and purpose to our existence. God created every soul in a different way, no soul resembles to one another, soul is an 'inner identity'. As you age, your body gets older, weak, tired, but spiritually you don't feel it. You hear people say, " I don't feel 50 years old!" That's because you are feeling your soul. Your soul never ages, get sick, or dies. The 'soul of the world' is according to various systems of thoughts, an essential connection between all living things on the planet. 'Soul of the world' is related to our world in much the same way as the soul is connected to human body. According to “Alchemist” In "The Alchemist", Santiago goes on a journey for his own personal treasure. He comes to know about this treasure by soul of the world. "The Soul of the World is nourished by people’s...
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...Ben Jonson (1572–1637). The Alchemist. The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. | | | | |Introductory Note | | | | | |BEN JONSON was born of poor parents at Westminster in 1573. Through the influence of Camden, the antiquary, he got a good | 1| |education at Westminster School; but he does not seem to have gone to a University, though later both Oxford and Cambridge gave | | |him degrees. In his youth he practised for a time his stepfather’s trade of bricklaying, and he served as a soldier in Flanders. | | | It was probably about 1595 that he began to write for the stage, and within a few years he was recognized as a distinguished | 2| |playwright. His comedy of “Every Man in His Humour” was not only a great immediate success, but founded a school of satirical | | |drama in England. “Sejanus” and “Catiline” were less popular, but are impressive pictures of Roman life, less interesting but more| | |accurate than the Roman plays of Shakespeare. ...
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...or Maria the Jewess also known as Maria Prophetissima in Latin, Maria Hebraea, Maria Prophetissa, Miriam the Prophetess; Mariya the Sage and Mary the Prophetess, was an alchemist who first appears was in the works of the Gnostic Christian writer Zosimos of Panopolis, another well-known alchemist. According to him, she's identified with Miriam the sister of Moses and lived between the first and third century A.D. She is attributed with the invention of several kinds of chemical apparatus and is considered to be the first non-fictitious alchemist in the Western world. In the 4th century, Zosimos wrote his book “Peri kaminon kai organon” (On Furnaces and Apparatuses) which is considered to be the oldest book about alchemy. In it, he describes several of her experiments and instruments. In his writings, Mary is almost always mentioned as having lived in the past and being one of the “sages.”...
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...The History of Ancient Chemistry © Copyright 2002 by Lois Fruen This article accompanies the textbook The Real World of Chemistry 6th ed by Lois Fruen Kendall/Hunt Publishing ISBN 0-7872-9677-5 (Information from Alan Shapiro’s History of Science class at the University of Minnesota and Early Greek Science: Thales to Aristotle by G.E.R. Lloyd.) __________________________________________________________________ It is said that science began with the Greeks. However, development of science in Greece drew on the older, more mature cultures of Egypt and Babylonia. Scientific thought advanced and literature flourished in Babylon under King Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC) due to the stability of his reign. Babylonian astrologers kept records of the movement of planets and made detailed lists of stars and constellations. Known metals such as gold, silver, mercury, lead, tin, iron, and copper were matched with the brightest heavenly bodies: sun, moon, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, and Venus respectively. Symbols assigned to these metals by the ancient Babylonians are used today by astronomers as the symbols for the planets. The early Greek (Presocratic) philosophers were particularly concerned about the origin of the universe and began to explain natural phenomenon by natural causes rather than supernatural acts. Philosophers who lived in Miletus (on the coast of modern-day Turkey) were the most influential early thinkers. Thales of Miletus (582 BC) suggested that water was the basic...
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