The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Muir, M. M. Pattison (Matthew Moncrieff Pattison), 1848-1931.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Story of Alchemy and the Beginnings of Chemistry" by M. M. Pattison Muir is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work delves into the evolution of alchemical practices and beliefs, exploring the transition from mystical alchemy to the foundational principles of modern chemistry. At the start of the text, Muir establishes a framework for discussing the pre-scientific understanding of material changes, highlighting how ancient Greek philosophers laid the groundwork for chemical inquiry, contrasting early speculative ideas with burgeoning empirical methods. In this opening portion, Muir reflects on ancient theories about matter, introduces quotes from notable alchemists, and describes the symbolic language and concepts that characterized their work. Throughout, Muir aims to present the evolution of thought regarding material transformations in an accessible way for modern readers, bridging the gap between mystical alchemical traditions and contemporary scientific understanding. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

E-text prepared by Feòrag NicBhrìde, Victoria Woosley, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team

Notes:

Reading ease score: 51.7 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2004-11-30