In ancient times, Westerners obsession "Alchemy" and Asians love "alchemy." However, for both old and has means to explore nature activities, after two thousand years of history has made a different choice: Western alchemists gorgeous, evolved into modern scientists, the East refining Danshi abandoned history. Where history appeared fork? Different historical outcome, but also brings a kind of enlightenment for today's society?
There are two ancient human dream: to make a fortune and longevity. Westerners seem more like a fortune, while Asians prefer longevity. Ancient Western obsession "Alchemy" and Asians love "alchemy", you may be able to provide some evidence for this argument.
However, according to historical records, the East and the West "Alchemy" campaign started almost the same time, all in about 200 BC. Ancient Greek regions alchemists in the workshop focused on finding the mysteries of base metals as gold and silver, while the Warlock Chinese Qin and Han dynasties after a short practice "Golden", put into focus on immortality "elixir" pursuit.
Ideal fortune and longevity are very good, but after two thousand years of history has made a completely different choice: Western alchemists gorgeous, evolved into modern scientists, the East refining Danshi abandoned by history. Where history appeared fork?
Filled with religious mysticism of "alchemy"
China Early alchemists and alchemy go hand in hand, all the believers of Taoism is the main event of this, they naturally have a strong interest in technology and knowledge collection in one, using observation, trial and error approach and experience to explore the mysteries of substance transformation. At the same time, this group is also mixed, brought together thinkers, craftsmen, religious figures, as well as a liar.
Perhaps the Chinese people more intelligent, has long recognized the so-called "Golden" do not fly. In 144 BC, the Han emperor issued an injunction, civil allowed "unauthorized" Alchemy, by the official monopoly refining (pseudo) gold claim (the ancient "golden" couplers are generally poor). This "nationalization" of the move, although some charlatan prevent money-making behavior, but also a kind of folk Creative Discovery strangled in its infancy, and forced charlatans who put more energy into the pursuit of the goal of longevity. " alchemy "campaign.
Ancient Chinese emperors, very strong interest in longevity. Qin Shi Huang sent Xu Fu sea hunt Xianyao story we are familiar, and later due to the pursuit of longevity clothes "magic pill" and was poisoned the emperor and VIPs are just countless. Although refining Danshi in the "panacea concept of" devout believer, but a lot of people out of the pursuit of profit. Clearly, known as the elixir of life "elixir" Compared to the price of gold has, more lucrative profits.
"Magic pill" ingredients were secret, difficult to repeat the process of alchemy, worship master and "different people", its authenticity and effectiveness of short-term it is difficult to discern. As the "elixir" buyers rich is expensive, but with sulfur, mercury, lead and raw materials for "elixir" highly toxic, but the sale of lucrative slightest mistake could beheaded. Thus, religion and mystery is the "elixir" indispensable amulet.
"Elixir" of the lie can run rampant in China two thousand years, so smart and so many people one after another high position of priests who become guinea pigs, really amazing. Of course, the long-term practice of alchemy there have been beneficial to harvest unexpected. It is said that one of the four Chinese invention of "powder" is the Taoist alchemists do not care to do it.
In fact, some of the alchemists realized early on that this refining materialized "outside Dan" is a dead end, so they are in the same set of theories, come up with a more mysterious harder to verify the authenticity of the practice - "refining inner alchemy" known to the body as "furnace", trained to live forever, "Dan", various qigong is the product of this idea. Qigong, although people will not live forever, but the role of physical fitness and perhaps still there. If you want to believe that immortality that religion God tightness remains essential. We can say that the history of China's alchemy, mixed with the ideal human longevity, simple naturalism, trial and error practice, greed, fraud and risk of death for Lee, and always filled with the color of religious mysticism.
From Alchemy to experimental science
Ancient Greek alchemists objective is clear, namely to make base metals into precious metals and earn money. In fact, many alchemical artisans fake gold can not be a real gold heart like a mirror, bored try new recipes and craft artifacts of gold, is to make the public more difficult to see through, greed promote athletics and innovation.
There are also some ancient Greek scholars interested in alchemy, they are not for profit and roll up their sleeves in small workshops where alchemists, curiosity let them transition between the various metal alloys excited, they believe that metal can "Evolution" pondered material changes in the law left some theories.
Ancient Greek culture Greece to fading subsided, including the exploration of the transmutation of metals, but gold artifacts folk craftsmen making activities are still quietly continued. The late Middle Ages, scholars from Arab literature rediscovery of ancient Greek civilization, when Arabs developed their own alchemy alchemy plus China to Europe. Thus, the ancient Greek alchemy, Arab and Chinese alchemy alchemy, into colorful scholars of the European Renaissance vision.
European Renaissance scholar, sharp thinking, dare to criticize, brilliant civilization of ancient Greece but does not see a bright future full of surprises dogma of civilization elements from other regions are also pleased to think. This group is also characterized by scholars mostly people in need to worry, little scientific activities for profit purposes. To the late Renaissance, many leading scholars out of the "ivory tower", craftsmen learn to process (including the alchemical process), and then create a new tool, the establishment of laboratories. At this moment, modern experimental science has early embryo.
First experimental method advocated exploring nature, and not rely solely on the logical interpretation of the English natural philosopher Roger Bacon (Roger Bacon, 1214 ~ 1293), the history of science is thus regarded as scholars of the founders of modern science. In fact, Bacon keen alchemy, the experimental method is from alchemists have always been distinguished natural philosophers who look down.
The traditional theory of alchemy chemical breakthrough first modern British scientist Robert Boyle (Robert Boyle, 1627 ~ 1691), he published in 1661 masterpiece "skeptics chemist" (The Sceptical Chemist), is a milestone of modern experimental science. In this book, he used the form of a dialogue, both criticized the ancient Greek few unfounded theories (for example, "Four Elements"), also made from modern science to study how "Alchemy" and "alchemy" of myth and mystery the doctrine out. He elaborated a set of rigorous scientific method, theory that everything possible must be proved to establish its "correctness." After Boyle, European classical alchemist gradually had to quit the stage of history, modern scientists debut. Since then, new materials, new technology wave after wave emerged.
We are familiar with today was a lot of early European scientists are "academic alchemist", including the great British scientist Newton (Isaac Newton, 1643 ~ 1727). Because of his lofty position and remarkable scientific achievements, and perhaps experience alchemical terms, he has been appointed as the Royal Mint (Royal Mint) director. Economist John Maynard Keynes (John Maynard Keynes) said: "Newton was not the first person in the Age of Reason, he was the last alchemists."
Through generations of natural philosophers, mathematicians and technical craftsmen sustained efforts, and classical natural philosophy distinct, new, basic paradigm of modern scientific research and principles gradually been established, this new paradigm of convergence and open up the logical deduction, mathematical models and experiments confirmed that the three traditions. The key point is to abandon the ancient alchemists who mysticism, emphasizing the scientific process of openness and reproducibility of the results. It can be said that these new ideas and breakthroughs in scientific research paradigm scientific revolution in Europe's most important achievements.
Today still see "refining Danshi syndrome"
Chemist Boyle's life (1627 - 1691), built in the Qing Dynasty in China is toward the beginning of the three emperors (Taiji, Junji, Kangxi) era, Western missionaries have been active in China, Emperor Kangxi Western also interested, but on the vast land of China is still dominated by natural explanation Taoism, son of the legendary Emperor Kangxi Emperor Yongzheng (1678 - 1735) also died of "magic pill" to take over. However, at this time of the scientific revolution in Europe has been getting better, the dawn of the industrial revolution has also appeared on the horizon.
Page 19th century European modern science along with gunboats into China, then China has no tradition refining Danshi opportunity to complete self-revolution. They do not seem to will and action, to self-research paradigm revolution or adopt any new scientific methods, but like a frightened ostrich burying its head in the ground pretending nothing happened, or the "national culture" attitude of rejection of "foreign culture". Then later, science has become withering force swept the land of China, "Elixir" no one believed, refining Danshi they continue their "inner alchemy practice" practice, step by step toward the edge until blanking in history.
The purpose of this essay is not trying to comment contribution of ancient western and eastern alchemist refining Danshi to human civilization, but by reviewing the history footprint east and west early explorers of nature to explore Western alchemists successful transition to modern scientists carried inspiration to us.
Some may say it's all gone, and then discuss what relevance it? I think, of great significance, because today's society is still everywhere "refining Danshi syndrome", the symptoms are: the face of the mighty tide of the world pretend not to see, stick to the framework of thinking past the loss of desire and ability of self-innovation, not focus on science to explore things only adhere to the law and the original "trial and error" way of trial and error, over-emphasize their "feature" and refused to accept things in common, in order to safeguard the interests of the final and face while pretending to be mysterious, etc. Wait.
For example, a variety of humanities, scholars and practitioners are careful they are a little bit from observational, reasoning and empirical knowledge into science, but the road ahead is still very long, as it involves human, social and interests change the resistance will be greater. There are people like to say, "The nation is the world" or emphasis on "Chinese characteristics" for culture, these words may have some truth, but if the science is completely wrong. Science is a search for universally-all process of quasi-truth, it is the fruits of growth from the beginning belongs to all mankind, the world is China.
Today, although still not make humans "lead" into "gold", but let sand into a more valuable chip, atoms also appeared in "Evolution" and eventually surpass the two thousand years ago alchemist's dream.
(Author: Dongjie Lin, professor of Soochow University School of Business)
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