It turns out Sir Isaac Newton ~ one of the most influential scientists in history ~ was a closet alchemist. In fact, he was a passionate practitioner of alchemy for over three decades, according to Indiana University professor William Newman.
According to Discovery News:
Newton invented calculus, described the law of universal gravitation and built the first reflecting telescope. Just a few resume highlights for someone considered to be the most influential scientist in history.
That's why alchemy is a strange hobby for someone who clearly mastered the scientific method. Alchemy involves transmuting one element into another. Only not so much focusing on chemical reactions, as invoking spiritual and philosophical approaches.
Alchemy is now considered a pseudo-science. But even during its height, critics such as Chaucer characterized alchemists as charlatans, and it was banned by Pope John XXII and King Henry IV.
But before you think less of Newton, consider that most experimental scientists of the 17th century believed in it too. Professor Newman also counters that alchemists of the time were more similar to chemists than wannabe magicians. They helped create new drugs, brighter pigments and improved booze distillation.
Newton's involvement in alchemy was never fully secret, more like neglected, Newman believes. Only recently have science historians fully analyzed Newton's extensive writings on the subject.
2 comments:
The last sentences are key. Newton wrote extensively, recording most of his work. He also was invested in a system of prophecy using the Bible, certain he had a key. He was not alone in pursuing this as well. He did keep his alchemy low key, for certain obvious reasons. Alchemists of serious stripe had to deal with the fact of charlatans. There were exploiters about who were interested in making the fast buck and were carnival entertainers rather than serious experimenters. I tire of scientific arrogance casting judgement from a false height on such a different time and place. Serious alchemists were highly learned in multiple disciplines, perhaps the most educated people of their day. Certainly others could only match them for erudition.
However, Newton was a strange man and by many accounts quite difficult to take.
I enjoyed your elaboration, Christopher. The article I based my post on had little more than what I wrote, so your comments added a valuable perspective.
And I agree about the aspersion too often cast on alchemy. As you know better than I, its teachings ~ taken on a symbolic level ~ continue to influence psychology and many metaphysical areas.
Thanks for taking the time to write your thoughts on this!
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