6) Is alchemy a real science? In three to five sentences, explain your answer.

Answer 1

Alchemy is often considered a precursor to modern chemistry but is not regarded as a real science by today’s standards. It combined elements of philosophy, mysticism, and proto-science, focusing on the transformation of materials and the search for the philosopher's stone, believed to grant immortality or turn base metals into gold. While alchemists made some observations and discoveries that laid the groundwork for future scientific inquiry, their methods lacked the empirical rigor, reproducibility, and systematic approach characteristic of modern science. Thus, while alchemy contributed to the evolution of scientific thought, it is viewed more as a historical and philosophical endeavor than a legitimate science.