2006-12-21 08:24:46 · 7 answers · asked by JETT 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
To understand the philosopher's stone, you need to understand alchemy.
Alchemy in the old days was concerned greatly with purifying and separating qualities of things. It was a practice that was supposed to bring enlightenment not only for its practitioner but also to many of the things he transmuted. This is symbolized in the legendary goal of turning lead into gold. The metal in this case, is supposed to be 'purified' and its 'essence' drawn out... and the enlightened essence of metal was supposed to be gold.
To an alchemist, the two are intertwined. If you can bring perfection to something else, you can achieve perfection in yourself. And unless you can achieve perfection in yourself, you cannot bring perfection to something else. This is why it is the PHILOSOPHER'S stone - the word 'philosopher' literally means 'loving wisdom'. Which is why so many intelligent people in history tried their hand at alchemy (Isaac Newton is a good example).
There are many stories of those few select alchemists who have discovered the philosopher's stone. Though they have the means to turn lead to gold, they seldom use it because they have progressed beyond mundane material needs. They can also use it to extend their own lifespan indefinitely, or in some stories to be re-incarnated if they wish. And they usually in stories are found travelling the world, keeping a low profile, and generally doing good.
2006-12-21 08:36:58 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The philosopher's stone, in Latin "lapis philosophorum," is a mythical substance that supposedly could turn inexpensive metals into gold and/or create an elixir that would make humans younger, thus delaying death. It was a longtime "holy grail" of Western alchemy. In the mystic view of alchemy, making the philosopher's stone would bring enlightenment upon the maker and conclude the Great Work. It is also known by several other names, such as materia prima. There is also a cool book called "The Alchemist" by author Paulo Coelho.
2006-12-21 16:29:33 · answer #2 · answered by psych student 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The philosopher's stone, in Latin lapis philosophorum, is a legendary substance that supposedly could turn inexpensive metals such as lead into gold ("chrysopoeia") and/or create an elixir that would make humans younger, thus delaying death. It was a longtime "holy grail" of Western alchemy. In the view of spiritual alchemy, making the philosopher's stone would bring enlightenment upon the maker and conclude the Great Work. It is also known by several other names, such as the 'Golden Wedding Garment', the 'Soul body', the 'Astral body' and the 'Living Stone', spoken of in some of the ancient philosophies as the 'Diamond Soul' [1].
2006-12-21 16:27:10 · answer #3 · answered by Blunt Honesty 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
the philosophers stone was made by a famous alchemist in the middle ages named Nicholas Flamel (J.K Rowling used him in her 1st Harry Potter book) he has been rumored to have actually created gold, like all the other alchemists were trying to do. the stone was said to give the owner eternal life. some, but not all of Flamel's notes have been found, and everthing has worked just as he said so far, so whos knows what he discovered...
2006-12-21 16:33:32 · answer #4 · answered by M T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The philosopher's stone can give one the power to avoid the fundamental rules of alchemy. Especially the one of equivalent exchange, which is why the philosopher's stone is coveted by many.
2006-12-21 16:27:22 · answer #5 · answered by WhitneyR 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's what the Alchemists tried to find. A way to turn base metals into gold, and immortality.
2006-12-21 16:27:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
over rated kids wizard book.
2006-12-21 16:32:16 · answer #7 · answered by Daniel_Son_Bonsai 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋