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ALCHEMY - WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER?
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INTRODUCTION
While planning a trip to the great city of Paris, I was researching for blog topics when I came across the story of a certain Nicolas Flamel.
Some of you may know the name from the Harry Potter book/films about the fabled Philosopher's Stone.
There he is portrayed as a man who found a way to live forever.
You may not know that the character in the movie is based on a real person who lived in Paris.
He was born in 1340 and died 1418 according to official records. Some people believed, however, that, through alchemy, he achieved immortality.
His story (see later), therefore, brought my attention to the fascinating aims and history of the "science" of alchemy.
Although Jon Bon Jovi might have memorably sung " I don't want to live forever", many people might be attracted to this idea.
Imagine what miracles you might experience given enough time on this earth. For example, Werder Bremen winning Champions League or a politician saying something that was true (Ok the latter is a bit ambitious!)
WHAT IS ALCHEMY ?
Here are a couple of dictionary definitions :
Here are a couple of dictionary definitions :
Alchemy : A type of chemistry, especially in the Middle Ages*, that dealt with trying to find a way to change ordinary metals into gold and with trying to find a medicine that would cure any disease
CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY
CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY
Alchemy : A medieval* chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life.
MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY
MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY
* Refers to the approximate period from year 500 to 1500 AD
Research sources differ on when alchemy actually began although the consensus is around 2000 years ago in Egypt,
In those days, it was more a pursuit of spiritual knowledge, even magic, than scientific experimentation.
For example, these very early alchemists believed that nature was controlled by a number of different Gods and that whatever knowledge was gained would be the gift of those Gods
There is also a debate on the origin of the name "alchemy" but the most likely theory is that it comes from the ancient name for Egypt, "Khem" meaning "darkness" and possibly derived from the darkness of Egypt's fertile soil.
However all sources do agree that the modern word "chemistry" evolved from "alchemy"
Irrespective of the above formal dictionary definitions, most people understand that the alchemists sought to change lead into gold and to find a way to live forever.
To many people, that would seem to qualify all alchemists as innocents or tricksters or just plain nuts.
However, this is very far from the truth.
In fact, given the available knowledge in their time, we can say they were skilled and logical experimenters, following a clear path.
They recognised that, in nature, materials did change (eg their appearance, form - gas/liquid or other properties), when heated or mixed with other materials
Given that such changes are natural and proven, it was quite reasonable for alchemists to imagine that, under the right conditions, one metal could be changed into another.
(it is important to note that alchemists were mainly working with impure materials or compounds, rather than pure elements. This may have misled them regarding what changes were possible)
It was this concept of changing "stuff" which was at the heart of the alchemist's thinking and work. the word for the kind of changes they were seeking is "transmutation", a word which appears a lot when researching this subject.
Not unreasonably, they extended this "theory" to the human body, believing that this too could be changed and corrected when diseased. From there, it was a small step to proposing that the body could be maintained or modified to defy death itself.
Alchemists pursued their objectives in two different directions.
Some approached their work seeking individual solutions/processes which would perform a specific task like curing an known illness, whilst others focused on finding one special material that would grant eternal life and enable transmutation (The so-called Philosopher's Stone)
Research sources differ on when alchemy actually began although the consensus is around 2000 years ago in Egypt,
In those days, it was more a pursuit of spiritual knowledge, even magic, than scientific experimentation.
For example, these very early alchemists believed that nature was controlled by a number of different Gods and that whatever knowledge was gained would be the gift of those Gods
There is also a debate on the origin of the name "alchemy" but the most likely theory is that it comes from the ancient name for Egypt, "Khem" meaning "darkness" and possibly derived from the darkness of Egypt's fertile soil.
However all sources do agree that the modern word "chemistry" evolved from "alchemy"
Irrespective of the above formal dictionary definitions, most people understand that the alchemists sought to change lead into gold and to find a way to live forever.
To many people, that would seem to qualify all alchemists as innocents or tricksters or just plain nuts.
However, this is very far from the truth.
In fact, given the available knowledge in their time, we can say they were skilled and logical experimenters, following a clear path.
They recognised that, in nature, materials did change (eg their appearance, form - gas/liquid or other properties), when heated or mixed with other materials
Given that such changes are natural and proven, it was quite reasonable for alchemists to imagine that, under the right conditions, one metal could be changed into another.
(it is important to note that alchemists were mainly working with impure materials or compounds, rather than pure elements. This may have misled them regarding what changes were possible)
It was this concept of changing "stuff" which was at the heart of the alchemist's thinking and work. the word for the kind of changes they were seeking is "transmutation", a word which appears a lot when researching this subject.
Not unreasonably, they extended this "theory" to the human body, believing that this too could be changed and corrected when diseased. From there, it was a small step to proposing that the body could be maintained or modified to defy death itself.
Alchemists pursued their objectives in two different directions.
Some approached their work seeking individual solutions/processes which would perform a specific task like curing an known illness, whilst others focused on finding one special material that would grant eternal life and enable transmutation (The so-called Philosopher's Stone)
It is most important to be aware that alchemists, in pursuit of their studies, were responsible wholly or partially for the discovery of the following :
* The concept of germs, viruses, bacteria and their effect on the body.
* Gunpowder.
* Laboratory equipment still used today.
* The elements zinc, phosphorus and arsenic
* Pure Alcohol (ethanol)
* The metal compound used in printing type
* Pigments
* The concept of germs, viruses, bacteria and their effect on the body.
* Gunpowder.
* Laboratory equipment still used today.
* The elements zinc, phosphorus and arsenic
* Pure Alcohol (ethanol)
* The metal compound used in printing type
* Pigments
ALCHEMY : DID IT WORK ?
So, the big question - did any of these historical alchemists ever succeed in changing lead into gold or gaining eternal life ?
Well ...probably not ... but we don't know for sure.
Actually, we know very little of the details of their experiments and results
The main problem is that the alchemists recorded all their work in heavily coded writings. Not only did they use word codes but they very often used strange illustrations to describe their activities. For example a picture of a animal eating a sun might mean heating up one or another compound.
To confuse people, they would even use real words like "tin" or "gold" but to mean something different like lead and silver.
It seems that alchemists believed that the ordinary man would neither understand nor appreciate what they were trying to do. Thus they kept any discussions and exchanges of knowledge to a restricted circle
Here are a few examples of their visual communications.
FAMOUS ALCHEMISTS
Despite the fact that alchemists were often seen in a negative way, the science of alchemy did attract some "big names"... here are just 3 examples...
Isaac Newton (1643-1727)
Arguably, the most famous scientist in the modern era.
Well known as the man who discovered gravity (although having an apple fall on your head doesn't really seem to be a accomplishment to me !) and formed his famous Laws of Motion, he was also a highly-admired astronomer, a member of Parliament and a theologian.
He also co-developed the principles of calculus (I don't think many maths students will thank him for this)
Only after his death did it become generally known that he was also a practicing alchemist
In fact, around 10% of his writings concerned this subject although only his closest friends were aware of this part of his life.
One reason Newton may have kept his alchemy studies secret was because of the time period in which he lived.
His lifetime co-incided closely with a period of enlightenment when people became less superstitious, less believing in magic and more trusting of true science. As a result, alchemists were seen increasingly as disreputable.
Clearly, as a man renowned for his scientific and mathematical work, his reputation and credibility would have definitely suffered if it became generally known he was a "secret" alchemist.
Incidentally, as with other alchemists, Newton is believed to have suffered serious mental problems (from which he recovered) caused by exposure to dangerous compounds, especially those related to mercury.
Arguably, the most famous scientist in the modern era.
Well known as the man who discovered gravity (although having an apple fall on your head doesn't really seem to be a accomplishment to me !) and formed his famous Laws of Motion, he was also a highly-admired astronomer, a member of Parliament and a theologian.
He also co-developed the principles of calculus (I don't think many maths students will thank him for this)
Only after his death did it become generally known that he was also a practicing alchemist
In fact, around 10% of his writings concerned this subject although only his closest friends were aware of this part of his life.
One reason Newton may have kept his alchemy studies secret was because of the time period in which he lived.
His lifetime co-incided closely with a period of enlightenment when people became less superstitious, less believing in magic and more trusting of true science. As a result, alchemists were seen increasingly as disreputable.
Clearly, as a man renowned for his scientific and mathematical work, his reputation and credibility would have definitely suffered if it became generally known he was a "secret" alchemist.
Incidentally, as with other alchemists, Newton is believed to have suffered serious mental problems (from which he recovered) caused by exposure to dangerous compounds, especially those related to mercury.
Pope John XXII
Born Jacques Duese, in France, Pope John XXII reached his position through skillful use of personal contacts and friends (today, I guess we would call this his "network")
He was certainly a controversial figure through his radical religious pronouncements (not relevant to this blog) and his greed for money.
There are varying views on his involvement with alchemy but, on balance, it seems he believed in the objectives and he definitely worked to discover the long-sought Philosopher's Stone.
Strangely, while he was a practicing alchemist, Pope John XXII also introduced the most harsh of laws directed at other alchemists. This apparent contradiction was justified on the basis that he was only trying to punish "fake" alchemists who promised results but did not deliver them.
Punishment would include seizing their equipment and any gold they had actually produced.
It seems much more likely, therefore, that the Pope just wanted to make sure that if anybody else discovered the secret of making gold from base metals, the benefit would go to him
Born Jacques Duese, in France, Pope John XXII reached his position through skillful use of personal contacts and friends (today, I guess we would call this his "network")
He was certainly a controversial figure through his radical religious pronouncements (not relevant to this blog) and his greed for money.
There are varying views on his involvement with alchemy but, on balance, it seems he believed in the objectives and he definitely worked to discover the long-sought Philosopher's Stone.
Strangely, while he was a practicing alchemist, Pope John XXII also introduced the most harsh of laws directed at other alchemists. This apparent contradiction was justified on the basis that he was only trying to punish "fake" alchemists who promised results but did not deliver them.
Punishment would include seizing their equipment and any gold they had actually produced.
It seems much more likely, therefore, that the Pope just wanted to make sure that if anybody else discovered the secret of making gold from base metals, the benefit would go to him
Queen Elizabeth 1 (1533-1603)
Queen Elizabeth 1st reigned for 44 years and, generally, is viewed in a positive manner.
This is due, mainly, to the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the growth of trade and the development of the arts (William Shakespeare etc).
It is not often mentioned that she was extremely interested in alchemy.
She was a very close friend of John Dee (1527-1608) a very famous alchemist and writer.
(John Dee, for unknown reasons, often used the pseudonym/pen-name "007", presumably making him the first James Bond, beating Sean Connery by about 400 years!)
Elizabeth was a keen reader of all publications on the subject and even had her own laboratory for conducting alchemy-related experiments.
So she was not just a patron of alchemy but a real hands-on practitioner
Queen Elizabeth 1st reigned for 44 years and, generally, is viewed in a positive manner.
This is due, mainly, to the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the growth of trade and the development of the arts (William Shakespeare etc).
It is not often mentioned that she was extremely interested in alchemy.
She was a very close friend of John Dee (1527-1608) a very famous alchemist and writer.
(John Dee, for unknown reasons, often used the pseudonym/pen-name "007", presumably making him the first James Bond, beating Sean Connery by about 400 years!)
Elizabeth was a keen reader of all publications on the subject and even had her own laboratory for conducting alchemy-related experiments.
So she was not just a patron of alchemy but a real hands-on practitioner
ALCHEMY TODAY - TURNING LEAD INTO GOLD
Having read about the alchemists and their ideas about transmutation, it would be reasonable for you to assume that they were chasing an impossible dream.
But you would be mistaken in this belief.
In fact, we have known for over a hundred years that transmutation was achievable.
This new understanding had it's origin in 1901 at McGill University in Canada
Here, Ernst Rutherford, later to be famous for splitting the atom (... he must have used a very small knife !) and Frederick Soddy made a starting observation.
They found that a small amount of the element Thorium had, over time, spontaneously changed into the element Radium ( some accounts say Argon).
Soddy was excited and immediately proclaimed that they had discovered transmutation.
Rutherford was much less enthusiastic and was reported to have said " Don't say that, they will have our heads as alchemists", reflecting the current opinion of those times that all alchemists had been disreputable scam artists.
Perhaps due to Rutherford's concerns, the discovery was not officially announced for a further two years or so.
And it was be some more years before what had happened was fully understood.
So, what had taken place.... ?
First, you need to understand the basics of atomic theory (which you probably discuss frequently over afternoon tea. I certainly do..)
ATOMIC THEORY FOR BEGINNERS
1. Atoms are very small
2. There are some things even smaller than atoms
3. Everything including people is made up of these very small things
4. This means that humans are closely related to everything non-human including digital watches and Tax Inspectors
1. Atoms are very small
2. There are some things even smaller than atoms
3. Everything including people is made up of these very small things
4. This means that humans are closely related to everything non-human including digital watches and Tax Inspectors
Until the time of this event, scientists were divided as to whether or not, the atom was the smallest form of matter (Soddy had believed it was and had even argued the case with Rutherford before their working partnership had begun.)
However, it was becoming generally accepted that atoms were made up of even smaller particles, neutrons, photons and electrons.
Elements were differentiated by the relative numbers of these particles in their atoms and, therefore, if the relative numbers of these particles were changed, then a different element would be created.
All that most of us need to know (and about all I could understand) about Rutherford and Soddy's discovery is that an unstable element, Thorium, lost a number of sub-atomic particles through natural radioactive decay until the remaining particles were the correct numbers for Radium.
If your brain and heart feel the urge to understand more, then this Wikipedia entry will probably satisfy that wish
So, the big question is ..are we anywhere near making gold from lead ?
Well.. yes and no....
Throughout the 20th century, many scientists achieved different forms of transmutation and this even included the production of gold.
BUT....
The main problem is that the process of breaking up atoms takes huge amounts of energy and generally produces unstable versions of the resultant element.
In other words, gold can now be made from other elements but the gold produced is unstable, tiny in quantity and at a cost some 100,000 times the value of the gold.
The most significant experimentation into this subject is acknowledged as being the work conducted at Harvard in 1941. At this time, Harvard scientists used the newly invented particle accelerator to bombard 400 gms of mercury with neutrons and transform the mercury into minute quantities of gold.
Returning to the alchemists specific objectives, whatever progress might be made in our understanding of transmutation, it is not considered likely that the traditional aim of using lead to make gold will ever succeed. This is because lead is a very stable element and even huge amounts of energy cannot remove it's protons,a step which would be necessary towards making it into gold.
ALCHEMY TODAY - IMMORTALITY
We have not found the means to achieve immortality and it looks like we are a long way from getting there.
Were the alchemists on a path to nowhere in this respect ?
Well, it depends on how you view things.
Their idea that damaged or diseased parts of the body could be "renewed" could be seen as fulfilled by modern transplant surgery and, more recently, stem cell treatments.
"Correction" of faulty parts of our bodies is likely to go forward as we continue to understand every aspect of DNA.
However, immortality is now seen as being dependent on man conquering the ageing process rather than pure medical or surgical maintenance of the body.
And there is real progress in this. DNA research has already identified the genes responsible for ageing.
Further, in 2016, researchers at the SALK Institute, California successfully reversed the ageing process in mice and foresee human trials in the next decade.(I already put my name down..)
One other interesting concept which is being actively researched is called "Digital Immortality"
The basic principle is that the entire contents of a person's brain ( including memories) could be preserved on digital media and, therefore, that could be regarded as a kind of immortality.
So, basically, you would live forever in some kind of container maybe a robot or a laptop or an iPhone.
* Just a side point... there is an excellent story by the writer Roadl Dahl called "William and Mary" about a man who has his brain (and eye) preserved after death.Things don't go well!
We have not found the means to achieve immortality and it looks like we are a long way from getting there.
Were the alchemists on a path to nowhere in this respect ?
Well, it depends on how you view things.
Their idea that damaged or diseased parts of the body could be "renewed" could be seen as fulfilled by modern transplant surgery and, more recently, stem cell treatments.
"Correction" of faulty parts of our bodies is likely to go forward as we continue to understand every aspect of DNA.
However, immortality is now seen as being dependent on man conquering the ageing process rather than pure medical or surgical maintenance of the body.
And there is real progress in this. DNA research has already identified the genes responsible for ageing.
Further, in 2016, researchers at the SALK Institute, California successfully reversed the ageing process in mice and foresee human trials in the next decade.(I already put my name down..)
One other interesting concept which is being actively researched is called "Digital Immortality"
The basic principle is that the entire contents of a person's brain ( including memories) could be preserved on digital media and, therefore, that could be regarded as a kind of immortality.
So, basically, you would live forever in some kind of container maybe a robot or a laptop or an iPhone.
* Just a side point... there is an excellent story by the writer Roadl Dahl called "William and Mary" about a man who has his brain (and eye) preserved after death.Things don't go well!
ALCHEMY : CONCLUSIONS
Considering that alchemists were often accused of being disreputable, dishonest and crooked, we have to say that history has proved most of their ideas to have some validity.
Gold can be produced from other metals and we are on the edge of understanding (and maybe reversing) the ageing process.
So, alchemists were not chasing some kind of impossible dream and, given the level of knowledge and equipment available to them, have to be admired for their imagination, ambitions and achievements.
THE REAL NICOLAS FLAMEL
In keeping with much of the history of alchemy, it is difficult to separate truth from fiction in the case of Nicolas Flamel
In fact, his early normal life is quite well documented but the many alchemy-related stories which arose after his "official" death in 1418 are largely unproven and speculative.
Flamel lived in Paris and was a bookseller and scrivener.
A scrivener was simply someone who could read and write on behalf of people who could not. They also copied documents and might also have possessed some record-keeping or business skills to offer.
He had 2 bookshops and appeared to have enjoyed a pleasant life with his wife, Perenelle
He also owned several properties around the city so, clearly, was financially secure.
His fame in his lifetime came from his reputation as a generous philanthropist.
As well as many gifts to the church (particularly St Jacques -de-la Boucherie), it is known that he provided housing to the poor of Paris in the form of alms-houses. (houses often supervised by the church and provided to low income families.)
He also owned several properties around the city so, clearly, was financially secure.
His fame in his lifetime came from his reputation as a generous philanthropist.
As well as many gifts to the church (particularly St Jacques -de-la Boucherie), it is known that he provided housing to the poor of Paris in the form of alms-houses. (houses often supervised by the church and provided to low income families.)
Fortunately, one of these alms-houses (51 Rue de Montmorency) has survived and I was able to find it.
Now, a restaurant, the exterior with it's largely religious inscriptions has survived.
In fact, it is also the oldest stone house in Paris.
Now, a restaurant, the exterior with it's largely religious inscriptions has survived.
In fact, it is also the oldest stone house in Paris.
Another interesting part of the Flamel story is that he designed his own tombstone but it was not actually used for his burial (I guess he wasn't happy about that.)
The tombstone was supposed be at the Museum de Cluny in Paris. However, when I went there, to my disappointment, I learned that it had been sent on loan to a museum in Brazil (I wish I had known that before paying the entrance fee!) .. I have no idea of the connection between Flamel and Brazil but there must be one I suppose.
Flamel was actually buried under his favourite church of St Jacques.
Today, only the magnificent tower is still standing and no-one is quite sure where Flamel's remains are located.
Nearby, there are two streets, one named after Flamel himself and the other after his wife, Perenelle
As this point we move from what was definitely real about Nicolas Flamel to the stories which evolved much later, mainly in the 17th century
Around 200 years after Flamel's death, alchemy-related manuscripts written in his name began to circulate
Amongst other writings, there were stories of a special book of magic and alchemy (Book of Abramelin the Mage), found and, eventually, decoded by Flamel and said to have revealed the secrets of the long-sought Philosopher's Stone.
It was said that Flamel had received the book by chance in his bookshop and that he had spent more than 20 years travelling around Europe seeking help in it's de-coding
Today, we talk of things on social media "going viral" meaning that a story (often of doubtful origin) gets spread far and wide and acquires believers as it does so.
This seems to have been what happened in the case of Nicolas Flamel.
The generosity of him and his wife was said to prove that they had unlimited and sudden wealth gained by turning lead into gold and silver
Rumours also spread that, having successfully made the Philosopher's stone, Flamel became immortal. He was said to been seen by witnesses some 3-400 years after his alleged death. He was even said to have visited coffee shops when 600 years old, offering to pass on his knowledge. Just imagine dropping in your local Starbucks and being offered eternal life with your soy-milk. decaf Americano !
In reality, there is zero evidence for any of these stories.
Yes, Flamel and his wife were generous but they had successful businesses and Perenelle, who had been widowed twice is said to have been already very rich when she married Nicolas.
As a bookseller, he might have received old and interesting books but, if I understand correctly, there are no reliable reports of him trekking around Europe for many years trying to find someone who could read any mysterious book.
I am grateful that the story of Nicolas Flamel brought me to the subject of this blog but, in reality, it is now doubtful he had more than a small interest in alchemy despite some publications still describing him as one of the more important alchemists. It seems that "fake news" did not begin with Facebook and Twitter but has always been with us.
As this point we move from what was definitely real about Nicolas Flamel to the stories which evolved much later, mainly in the 17th century
Around 200 years after Flamel's death, alchemy-related manuscripts written in his name began to circulate
Amongst other writings, there were stories of a special book of magic and alchemy (Book of Abramelin the Mage), found and, eventually, decoded by Flamel and said to have revealed the secrets of the long-sought Philosopher's Stone.
It was said that Flamel had received the book by chance in his bookshop and that he had spent more than 20 years travelling around Europe seeking help in it's de-coding
Today, we talk of things on social media "going viral" meaning that a story (often of doubtful origin) gets spread far and wide and acquires believers as it does so.
This seems to have been what happened in the case of Nicolas Flamel.
The generosity of him and his wife was said to prove that they had unlimited and sudden wealth gained by turning lead into gold and silver
Rumours also spread that, having successfully made the Philosopher's stone, Flamel became immortal. He was said to been seen by witnesses some 3-400 years after his alleged death. He was even said to have visited coffee shops when 600 years old, offering to pass on his knowledge. Just imagine dropping in your local Starbucks and being offered eternal life with your soy-milk. decaf Americano !
In reality, there is zero evidence for any of these stories.
Yes, Flamel and his wife were generous but they had successful businesses and Perenelle, who had been widowed twice is said to have been already very rich when she married Nicolas.
As a bookseller, he might have received old and interesting books but, if I understand correctly, there are no reliable reports of him trekking around Europe for many years trying to find someone who could read any mysterious book.
I am grateful that the story of Nicolas Flamel brought me to the subject of this blog but, in reality, it is now doubtful he had more than a small interest in alchemy despite some publications still describing him as one of the more important alchemists. It seems that "fake news" did not begin with Facebook and Twitter but has always been with us.
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