1.Alchemy differs from magic and traditional science because it refers to the “one Being” who is responsible for producing the earth and other resources. While many monotheistic religions use stories of how God created earth and everything related, Alchemy borderlines towards traditional science by explaining how the sun rises or sets (line 8).
2.Holistic medicine basically treats the individual as a whole and examines any underlying reason for why the illness might occur. It also looks at the mental, spiritual, and emotional aspect of the person. In line 2 of the Emerald Tablet, it states, “What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of one thing.” The ending words “one thing” describes the statement as a whole, similar to holistic medicine, and refers to below and above as the same thing.
3.While Alchemy isn’t practiced or well known in today’s society, there are other means where the Elixir or Youth and the Philosopher’s stone are being researched today. Although it is not called these particular names, ideas such as embryonic research or cloning can be viewed as “the Elixir” to create new life. Similarly, while the philosopher’s stone was said to turn inexpensive metals into gold, drilling for oil in countries in the Middle East is an example of a quest to turn a relatively inexpensive substance into pure profit.
The Emerald Tablet
The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus
The Precepts of Hermes, engraved upon the Emerald Tablet
1. Speak not fictitious things, but that which is certain and true.
2. What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of one thing.
3. And as all things were produced by the one word of one Being, so all things were produced from this one thing by adaptation.
4. Its father is the sun, its mother the moon; the wind carried it in its belly, its nurse is the earth.
5. It is the father of perfection throughout the world.
6. The power is vigorous if it be changed into earth.
7. Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, acting prudently and with judgment.
8. Ascend with the greatest sagacity from the earth to heaven, and then again, descend to the earth, and unite together the powers of things superior and things inferior. Thus will you obtain the glory of the whole world, and obscurity will fly far away from you.
9. this has more fortitude than fortitude itself; because it conquers every subtle thing and can penetrate every solid.
10. Thus the world was formed.
11. Hence proceed wonders, which are here established.
12. Therefore, I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.
13. That which I had to say concerning the operation of the sun is completed.
The Precepts of Hermes, engraved upon the Emerald Tablet
1. Speak not fictitious things, but that which is certain and true.
2. What is below is like that which is above, and what is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of one thing.
3. And as all things were produced by the one word of one Being, so all things were produced from this one thing by adaptation.
4. Its father is the sun, its mother the moon; the wind carried it in its belly, its nurse is the earth.
5. It is the father of perfection throughout the world.
6. The power is vigorous if it be changed into earth.
7. Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle from the gross, acting prudently and with judgment.
8. Ascend with the greatest sagacity from the earth to heaven, and then again, descend to the earth, and unite together the powers of things superior and things inferior. Thus will you obtain the glory of the whole world, and obscurity will fly far away from you.
9. this has more fortitude than fortitude itself; because it conquers every subtle thing and can penetrate every solid.
10. Thus the world was formed.
11. Hence proceed wonders, which are here established.
12. Therefore, I am called Hermes Trismegistus, having three parts of the philosophy of the whole world.
13. That which I had to say concerning the operation of the sun is completed.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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7 comments:
Your answer for number three really helped me understand the question because I was having some difficulties doing so. I took some of your ideas since I thought they were great, I hope it doesn’t bother you. Overall I like how you analyzed the concept of “like cure like”:
I have not quite looked at it that way until I read it here. The comment about youth and the embryo and cloning were far from what I interpreted the question as. I thought it was more about making an individual that already exists, feel younger and happier, but you are bringing up a good point that it is also possible to create new life.
Although I myself, did not fully explicate the Philosphers stone. I do believe that the Elixir of youth pertains to the natural process of maintaining a young spirit and staying physically fit. I believe that its more like the fountain of youth, your body and soul will feel a sense of new energy. I didnt see it as creating new life though.
I interpreted the elixir of life as a potion of everlasting life that prevents death from only natural causes. Cloning can be a first step in understanding or finding how to make the aging process slower or stop it altogether. It is an appealing thought but there will always be controversy and moral questions that come with cloning and human life.
I like the example of oil being compared to gold. It is just like our economy because we actually use oil and gold as a guide of how our economy is doing. Everyone needs oil and everyone is interested in gold.
I am not sure that embryonic cloning to bring about new life is exactly what they are talking about as far as the elixir is concerned. I have been reading up on parents banking their baby's cord blood for possible use of the cells in the future if a medical issue arises. While that is not cloning, there is a way to extend life expectancy.
I liked the way you went about to approach question number three, I never thought of embryonic research as an example for "The Elixir of Youth." However the way you explained this example I would definetly have to agree, the embryonic research can be a key to finding this "Elixir of Youth", because maybe through this research you can derive a way to maintain a kind of eternal youth.
I dont know if i so much agree on alchemy being part of traditonal science...I do somewhat believe traditional science was influenced by alchemy however i also think that with alchemy a supernatural being is involved such as in principle 2 where he talks about what is being above, i think this refers to a world beyond our world and some supreme force is out there.
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