750 word essay
Compare Paracelsus’ defense of alchemy in the texts collected by Oster to Bacon’s
discussion of the same subject in the excerpts from “Guide to the Interpretation of Nature” and “Sylva Sylvarum”
Compare Paracelsus’ defense of alchemy in the texts collected by Oster to Bacon’s
discussion of the same subject in the excerpts from Guide to the Interpretation of
Nature and Sylva Sylvarum
Consider in your essay one or more, but not all of the following. Try to develop an
interesting and convincing argument. Pay attention to both the similarities and
differences between Paracelsus and Bacon.
• Neither writer is a ‘professional’ alchemist – why does this discipline
interests them?
• What is the conception of knowledge that arises from their discussion?
• How does each of them think the world is made, and how does it relate to
the way it should be studied?
• What place does God play in their respective analyses?
• What is their view about traditional knowledge? What do they criticize
and what do they suggest to retain?
• Who do they seem to envision as their audience? Against what kind of
criticism do they attempt to defend themselves?
