Exoteric Alchemy Controversy

In fact, although science creates a feeling of uncertainty in our existence, humans do everything possible to discover more in order to innovate, evolve, and possess even a greater knowledge of the universe. Actually, a group of scientist and scholars predicted that after the fall and decline of the Roman Empire, with the increase of scientific development, the descent of religious and spiritual beliefs would be inevitable, but as time evolved, faith increased in the same rate as science increased in a global scale. This correlation expresses how as humanity obtains more knowledge of the universe, it needs to also have a strong sense of belonging in order to tolerate all the discoveries and still possess a purpose of living and continue innovating

However, the reality is that the original esoteric Alchemy did not failed. In the 15th century, a new branch of Alchemy was created: the exoteric, the main concentration and purpose was the transmutation of base metals into valuable metals and the discovery of the philosopher’s stone in order to selfishly prolong their lives, obtain fame, and monetary rewards. Afterwards, in the 16th century, a drastic decline of the practice in Alchemy emerged, at that particular time an increase in charlatanism aroused due to the fact that the esoteric Alchemy created a huge controversy with all the discoveries it provided; hence, people who did not possessed a strong scientific background and did not followed the spiritual guidelines intended to create cheap replicas, transmute gold, and even create a philosopher’s stone by using the notes and books of popular Alchemists and sell the results to the public. This created a tremendous loss of credibility of Alchemy by the common people. On the other hand, at the same time, the esoteric Alchemist were still creating new experiments and techniques, actually, the rumors between Alchemist of successful small gold transmutations were spread through the cities and eventually it was known by the church and the state. This phenomena ingrained a tremendous fear to the church because if Alchemy succeeded, it would represent how a practice connected with spiritual beliefs, which at the time was perceived as magic, would be correct, and an enormous doubt to the religious doctrines could arise and create risk of decrease in religious faith; while the state was both fascinated and frightened because if the transmutation of gold was a success, an excess of gold would reduce its value, and a wealth imbalance could potentially threaten the throne. Thus, the church ordered the persecution of Alchemist and the state