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ALCHEMY: An
ancient and medieval philosophy combining an occult cosmology with practical
chemical experimentation. Originating independently in Helenistic Alexandria
and ancient China, alchemy remained a legitimate branch of philosophy
in Europe and the Islamic world for 1500 years. In its practical aspects,
it became the precursor of modern chemistry. Basing their view upon Aristotelian
physics, the alchemists sought to isolate the materia prima out
of which they believed all other objects in the physical world could be
created. Strong Neoplatonic and Kabbalistic influences pervade Renaissance
alchemical tracts and a mystical approach based on occult correspondences
and 'sympathies' became increasingly apparent. The practical alchemist
sought three things: the Elixir of Life, the Universal Panacea, and the
means of transmuting base metals into gold. ["A
Dictionary of Philosophy" by Anthony Flew (St. Martins Press, NY,
1979)]
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DIALECTIC(S):
1. (Socratic) The term "dialectic" is derived from a Greek word
meaning "to converse" or "to discourse", and the dialectic
that is ascribed to Socrates refers to his conversational method of argument,
involving question and answer. 2. (Platonic) In Plato's REPUBLIC,
dialectic is the supreme kind of knowledge, which "gives an account"
(logos) of everything, by reference to the "Idea of the Good".
In Plato's later dialogues, especially THE SOPHIST, 'dialectic' is the name
given to the study of the interconnection of the Platonic Forms or Ideas,
and appears to refer to a definition by genus and species. 3. (Aristotelian)
In Aristotle's logical works, 'dialectic' refers to reasoning from premises
that are probable. ["A Dictionary of Philosophy"
by Anthony Flew (St. Martins Press, NY, 1979)] |
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