{"product_id":"the-history-of-alchemy","title":"The History of Alchemy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe etymological roots of alchemy are found in both the Arabic and Greek languages, and refer to the process of transmutation that leads to a complete reunion with the original divine form. However, the esoteric practice of alchemy stretches all the way to India and China and has been practiced since at least the fourth century. During the Middle Ages, alchemy attracted many of the most prominent scholars of the time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrongly influenced by the classical theory of the elements, the alchemists based their hypotheses on Aristotle's idea that everything can be created through different proportions of the four elements. From the 19th century onwards, alchemy has been wrongly reduced to a primitive pseudoscience with the sole aim of transmuting base metals into gold. However, this narrow interpretation ignores the true complexity of alchemy and ignores its deep philosophical and religious aspects, as well as its crucial contribution to the development of chemistry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis richly illustrated anthology presents a diversity of perspectives on how reciprocity, metaphysical connections, and the relationship between macrocosm and microcosm form the core of the philosophy of alchemy. Some of the world's most prominent researchers and academics gather to analyze the alchemical worldview and explore how esoteric currents of thought have shaped culture, society and science.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardback\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e350 pages\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: \u003cspan\u003e232 x 278 x 39 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"unitOfMeasure\"\u003e(mm)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Leeds Museums and Galleries Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54317629931849,"sku":"XXS001","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0892\/4695\/7897\/files\/the-history-of-alchemy-influence-on-culture-science-and-society-book-kirkstall-abbey-house-museum-leeds.png?v=1783004074","url":"https:\/\/www.shopleedsmuseums.co.uk\/products\/the-history-of-alchemy","provider":"Leeds Museums and Galleries Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}