Philosopher's Stone

The philosopher's stone is a substance, tincture, or item created through alchemy that is supposed to change base metals into more precious ones and has the ability to extend one's life, cure sickness, and even grant immortality. Western traditions of alchemy are more closely associated with the concept of the philosopher's stone; the Eastern traditions of alchemy were more closely associated with the concept of the elixir of life.

Europeans probably discovered Islamic alchemy following the influence brought about by the Crusades. Islamic alchemy has its roots in Alexandria, which combined various traditions of both Greece and Egypt. The Western traditions were much more involved with the idea of changing base metals into higher or noble metals (gold or silver from lead) with longevity as a secondary effect. That is not to say that there was no interest in longevity, but that wealth was the primary motivator for many alchemists in Western Europe.

There were some European alchemists, however, who pursued the aspects of longevity as well as those of healing. Paracelsus (1493–1541) was both a physician and alchemist, using alchemy to cure the sick and pursuing the art in a different manner than others before him. He was one of the first to separate the pursuit of transmuting metals (alchemia transmutatoria) from that of healing (alchemia medico). Paracelsus is also considered the founder of toxicology. He died at the age of 48, possibly of cancer, somewhat young for one devoted to pursuing longevity and healing.

Another well-known alchemist associated with the philosopher's stone is Nicolas Flamel (1330–1418). He began a career as a scrivener but found a small book on alchemy that he wanted to understand and began his career as an alchemist. Several books are attributed to him and describe his pursuit of the philosopher's stone, but many scholars now believe that some of these works were written later by others to lend legitimacy to the field of alchemy and the pursuit of longevity. There are myths surrounding the death of Flamel and his wife; notably, the legend that he did not die but faked his death and is still living today on his discovery of the philosopher's stone. Again, these legends are attributed to those who want to add to the legitimacy of the field of alchemy.

As with the Eastern tradition of alchemy, the Western tradition became more and more philosophical or transcendental. The idea that the transmutation of a human was less a physical process and more of a spiritual exercise, and not achievable through any physical process, became important as the role of science became more prevalent. Scientists continued to make discoveries regarding the immutability of metals and, by extension, humans also could not physically transmute. Therefore, they had to do so internally, through mysticism, philosophy, or some other transcendental means.

In one respect, Nicolas Flamel and others have achieved a kind of immortality. As seen in some of [Page 987]today's popular media (e.g., the Harry Potter movies, and the Da Vinci Code novel by Dan Brown), Flamel has lived on, although not in the way he intended.

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