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Why alchemists can make gold

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 5:10 am
by Philosophy Now
Rebecca Bryant on the essence of essentialism.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/14/Why_alchemists_can_make_gold

Re: Why alchemists can make gold

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:24 am
by A_Seagull
Philosophy Now wrote: Thu Sep 13, 2018 5:10 am Rebecca Bryant on the essence of essentialism.

What gold is will depend on how we decide to define it.

Well if that is the case then you can take a lump of lead and define it as being within the canon of 'gold' . Job done! :)

Re: Why alchemists can make gold

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 8:01 am
by Walker
A_Seagull wrote: Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:24 am
Philosophy Now wrote: Thu Sep 13, 2018 5:10 am Rebecca Bryant on the essence of essentialism.

What gold is will depend on how we decide to define it.

Well if that is the case then you can take a lump of lead and define it as being within the canon of 'gold' . Job done! :)
That quote sounds suspiciously like gold exists because folks believe in gold.