What is the Philosopher's Stone?

Question

I'd like to hear any theories on what it is and what it could do. Yes, I know that it's probably not real, but hey, what if it was?

Answer 1

The philosopher's stone, in Latin lapis philosophi, is a legendary substance that supposedly could turn inexpensive metals such as lead into gold ("chrysopoeia" in the Greek language) 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.[1]

Alchemy itself is mostly an original concept and science practiced in the ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece, and India. However the concepts of more easily transmutating one metal into a more precious one (silver or gold) and ensuring youthful health apparently originated in China and from the theories of the 8th century Arab alchemist, Jabir ibn Hayyan, Latinized as `Geber'. He analyzed each Aristotelian element in terms of the four basic qualities of hotness, coldness, dryness, and moistness. Fire was both hot and dry, earth cold and dry, water cold and moist, and air hot and moist. He further theorized that every metal was a combination of these four principles, two of them interior and two exterior.

From this premise, it was reasoned that the transmutation of one metal into another could be effected by the rearrangement of its basic qualities. This change would presumably be mediated by a substance, which came to be called al-iksir in Arabic (from which the Western term "elixir" is derived). It is often considered to exist as a dry red powder made from a legendary stone — the "philosopher's stone".[

16th-century Swiss alchemist Philippus Paracelsus believed in the existence of alkahest which he believed to be an undiscovered element from which all other elements (earth, fire, water, air) were simply derivative forms. He believed that this element alkahest was, in fact, the philosopher's stone.

Jabir's theory and the concept of knowledge that metals like gold and silver could be hidden in alloys and ores, from which they could be recovered by the appropriate chemical treatment. Jabir himself is believed to be the inventor of aqua regia, a mixture of muriatic (hydrochloric) and nitric acids, one of the few substances that can dissolve gold (and which is still often used for gold recovery and purification).

Gold was particularly valued as a metal that would not rust, tarnish, corrode or otherwise grow corrupt. Since the philosopher's stone would turn a corruptible base metal to incorruptible gold, naturally it would similarly transform human beings from mortal (corruptible) to immortal (incorruptible).

Essentially one of the many theories was that gold was a superior form of metal, and that the philosopher's stone was even purer and superior to gold, so much so that if combined with lesser metals would turn them into superior gold.

A mystical text published in the 17th century called the Mutus Liber proported to be a sort of symbolic instruction manual towards concocting a philosopher's stone. Called the 'wordless book', this was a collection of 15 illustrations.


Contemporary interpretations
The Latin American spiritual teacher Samael Aun Weor stated that the Philosopher's Stone is synonymous with the symbol of the stone found in many other spiritual and religious traditions, such as the stone Jacob rests his head upon, the cubic stone of Freemasonry, and the rock upon which Christ lays the foundation of the temple.[2]

“ Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on it shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe it is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. - 1 Peter 2: 6-8 ”

He states that this "stone of stumbling" and "rock of offense" is the creative-sexual energy, which in Kabbalah is Yesod ("foundation") that must be transmuted through sexual alchemy. It is said to be rejected by the "builders," meaning those who seek spiritual edification, because they reject the transmutation of sexual energy, and instead use it to achieve sensual pleasure.[3]

Video and computer games
In Lifeline (video game), a stone based on the philosopher's stone was created by a scientist on board the Space Hotel which the game is set.
In Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, it is related to the Ebony Stone and the Crimson Stone.
In Civilization: Call to Power, the Philosopher's Stone is a Wonder of the World. The civilization which builds it has free embassies established in all other civilizations.
In Darklands, "Philosopher's Stone" is a substance used to create higher quality potions using alchemy. It itself can have higher or lower quality depending on where it is purchased. The game manual refers to it as a "universal chemical catalyst".
The Philosopher's Stone is one of the many themes examined concerning the mystery of Rennes-le-Chateau in Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned.
In Devil May Cry, it is a key required to enter the underworld.
In Dragon Quest (a.k.a. Dragon Warrior) the Philosopher's Stone (or "Sages' Stone") restores the player's points.
In Earthbound, the Philosopher's Stone most likely is the 'rock' on-stage in the Stoic Club of Summers, which is why the patrons of the aforementioned establishment were seen philosophizing though this fact has little to do with the 'true' Philosopher's Stone.
In Embodiment of Scarlet Devil and Immaterial and Missing Power, "Philosopher's Stone" is one of Patchouli Knowledge's spell cards.
In Golden Sun, it is called "Stone of Sages".
In Ragnarok Online, a key item to evolve the "Homunculus" to its second form.
In Shadow of Destiny, it is the source of the Homunculus.
In Skies of Arcadia the philosopher's stone appears as a discovery over the northern part of the Valuan Empire.The only benefits from finding the stone is a cash reward from the Sailors Guild.
In Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, it is used to recruit Ansala, a highly skilled alchemist.
In Valkyrie Profile the Stone is referred to as "the ten-billion-page codex." Said to grand the owner unlimited acces to knowledge.
In Tomb Raider: Chronicles in one part Lara is on a quest to recover the famed Philosopher's Stone.
In Zork Nemesis
In Might and Magic 7;8, it is a catalyst (power 75) used to ameliorate potions
In Final Fantasy XI it is used by alchemists in item synthesis.
In World of Warcraft it is used to transmute metals.

Answer 2

The philosopher's stone is a mythical substance that was able to transform base metals such as lead into gold. It was also the main ingredient in creating an elixir of youth. In alchemy, the quest for the philosopher's stone was the objective of many alchemists. If it was real, imagine the wealth one could create with this stone.

The Philosopher's stone and the quest for it has appeared in many books, comics and games, most well known being the first Harry Potter novel - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. However the title was changed to Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone for the American audience.

Answer 3

There is no difference between the two. The original title was Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, but the book and movie were marketed in America as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, as it was thought that American children might not be familiar with the term 'philosopher'.

Answer 4

A Philosophers stone is a legendary stone which provides the Elixir of life and can turn any metal into pure gold. It is found a lot in mythology but was most noticed in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.

Answer 5

The Philosopher's Stone is as much metaphorical as real.

While following the arduous and arcane steps to successfully make it would indeed yield a means of transmuting base materials (notably lead) into gold, it was thought that it would also work its power on the maker.

Through following the discipline of alchemy the alchemist him(or her)self was similarly transformed into a (spiritually) 'perfect' being with an understanding of the true workings of the Universe.

And while there is little evidence that the actual stone itself was ever successfully produced, it seems much more likely that a number of Alchemists attained a degree of enlightenment.

After all, given the risks, poverty, frustration and time the process was said to take, it was probably no less effective than a few years in a Zen monastery!
.

Answer 6

Read the first Harry Potter :)

It's a stone that can 'apparently' give the holder a long/everlasting life and can also turn metal into gold

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Philosophers stone is a name given to the hallucengenic fungus Psilocybe Mexicanca. Which trruffle like from resembles stones.

By all accounts the Aztecs were reffereing to them by this name long before any western ideaology concerning Alchemy.

They produce a euphoric state with mild hallucination in comparison funghi in the Psilocybe genus. After the initial euphoric state the consumer enters a more calm reflective state which promotes philosophical thought. They are believed to have been amongst the selective plants used by Shamans of the central american indian tribes for several millenia.

Probably not what you were expecting in an answer.

Answer 9

The Philosopher's Stone is a mythical stone said to produce the elixer of life, which (If drank regularly) gives the drinker immortal life. It is also said to turn inexpensive metals (such as lead) into gold.

Answer 10

It was the aim of the ancient alchemists to turn base metal into gold as the process was ongoing a phenemenon known as "The Philosophers Egg " appeared in the furnace,this turned to stone as it cooled,therefore "The Philosophers Stone" inside which was supposedly the transmuted gold'

Answer 11

read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone it will tell you there
it is reali fantasy