Long before an English writer living on Government support decided to write a novel on a boy wizard and his search for the Philosopher’s stone, the quasi magic powder has been the stuff of legends. From the whispers in the hashish filled rooms of Constantinople to the lifelong tolls in the secretive laboratories of Bavaria, the ‘prime substance’ has been the issue of much debate and drive.
What is Philosopher’s stone?
For the novice it can be best described as a chemically evolved substance that has the ability to turn base metals into Gold. It is also said to have the ability to cure diseases and prolong the life of a mortal man indefinitely or make him immortal! No wonder that it has been the subject of such myth, speculation and obsession. In the Western tradition of Alchemy (traditional word for modern chemistry) the Philosopher’s stone is also known as the ‘tincture’ or the ‘powder’. The first mention of the mythical chemical substance dates as far back as 300 A.D., with the text of Plato and other Greek philosophers mention it. In the 8 Century an Arab/Persian scholar Jabir ibn Hayyan revived interest in the legend by creating al-iksir from which the western word elixir is derived. His work has said to have been replicated in Europe with at least one credible account of witnessing of turning base metal into gold by Albertus Magnus in the 13 century.
Domino effect
While the mainstream science still disputes the existence or even the possibility of the philosopher’s stone or a akin object, there is no denying that the early chemist’s interest in the same ignited revolutions in the fields of chemistry, metallurgy, and pharmacology from which we benefit even till this day.
Popular culture
We have all heard of the mythological story of King Midas, king of Pessinus in Phrygia that was awarded the ‘golden touch’ by the Roman God Dionysus by which everything the King touched was turned into Gold. There have been numerous other stories, plays and movie based on the same premise that have enthralled and intrigued generations of readers and viewers. Like the hugely successful novel ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho published in 1988. And of course the Harry Potter series with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone as the first adventure of the boy wizard. The popular online game World of Warcraft also has the ‘Philosopher’s stone’ in one of its advanced levels.
Philosophy and Spirituality
It is a mistake to see the philosopher’s stone as purely a chemical substance borne out of chemical processes in a laboratory. And therein lays its conflict with mainstream science that is still unresolved. It is said a seeker of the Philosopher’s stone needs to synthesize and purify himself in stages akin to the chemical process he is following. Not only the chemical substance in the glass pot over the fire synthesizes and purifies but the same happens to the chemist or alchemist who is conducting the exercise.
Another bone of contention is the claim that the elixir can cure many life threatening diseases and can prolong life. The claim of immortality is too harshly contented and lack evidence to mention or debate here.
Parting thoughts
While the existence or plausibility of the Philosopher’s stone per-se is debatable there is no denying the way it has inadvertently helped the evolution of various branches of science. And if it is indeed possible to turn base metals into Gold or to cure life threatening disease, if not achieve immortality then there is nothing wrong for continuation of research into the creation of the elixir of life that is primarily a individual chemist’s private and secret enterprise. On one level each one of us coverts a Philosopher’s stone that can transform and enrich our lives. Do we not?
Popular Books - Author Vickram E. Diwan 