Technikatörténeti szemle 22. (1996)
Papers from the Second International Conference on the History of Chemistry and Chemical Industry (Eger, Hungary, 16–19 August, 1995) - Pérez-Bustamente, A. Juan: The Holistic Concept of Alchemy
As a matter of fact early protochemical theories postulated in the XVI—XVItth c. so important as combustion theories (Paracelsus, Fludd, Mayow, Hooke, Willis, Hales, etc.) based on the interaction of a very active "spirit" ("air-niter", "nitroaereous spirit", etc.) with a "sulphur" fuel conform neatly to the considered ..alchemical reaction" in a context of chemical affinity. The same can be said for the considered period for the concept of salts built as a result of the combination affinity of an acid and a basic principle (Glauber, Tachenius, etc.). Finally, our actual concepts of acid-base and redox reactions, based on the electronegativity concept as an actual scientific explanation of chemical affinity and reactivity can be conceptually traced back to the considered "alchemical reaction" based on the affinity and complementarity of contraries. All in all, Alchemy, apart from many other things can be considered in wide sense both as a philosophy of matter as well as a philosophy of chemical affinity, both within a qualitative methaphysical context, both based on a dualistic philosophy of complementarity of oppositions. Motivation for the Study of Alchemy Serious interest and valuable investigations on Alchemy in modern time can be considered to have started at about the middle of the XlXth century growing up ceaselessly since then up to our present time. This period can be divided into two parts amounting roughly to about 75 years each. The first one is the basis of modern studies into the history of Alchemy and is bound specially to the names of Hoeffer 9 , Berthelot 10-12 , Kopp 13 and Lippman 14 . Many valuable books writen by these authors can be considered as "classics" in the field, dealing mainly with mesopotamic, hellenistic, islamic and european Alchemy. Luanco 16 investigated monographically many aspects of the interesting less-known Spanish Alchemy. After the monumental work of Lippman 14 and up to the present time a great amount ob books on Alchemy have appeared dealing with general or monographical aspect of the subject 151733 . The image of alchemy has changed a lot as compared with tradicional views at the present time as derived from extended knowledge on the matter and the application of new methodologies 34 " 37 giving rise to a growing academic interest which has resulted in the organisation of international symposia on alchemy 38 ^ 11 and the publication of the corresponding Proceedings of great interest. A significant trend on the modern interest on alchemy was marked by the appearance of specific journals (Ambix, since 1937) and monographies (Chymia, 1948-1967), unfortunatedly discontinued).
