Essay name: Alchemy in India and China
Author:
Vijaya Jayant Deshpande
Affiliation: Panjab University / Department of Chemistry
The thesis "Alchemy in India and China" explores the comparative aspects of alchemy in these two countries, focusing on chemical and protochemical formulations while addressing why modern science developed in the West rather than in India or China. It briefly touches upon internal alchemy in China and the ritualistic tantra in India.
Chapter 1 - Introduction to the history of Alchemy
10 (of 18)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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10
Xenophobia of the Chinese and intellectual isolation of
the Chinese traditional empire. The later Ming emperors
even discouraged trade with foreign countries which
meant limitations to the expansion of the economic
activity. A state of equilibrium was attained in
economic and demographic expansions thus inhibiting
further development.
In Needham's eyes the absence of the concept of
laws of nature or a personal law-giver were responsible
for the slow rate of scientific progress in China. In
Wing tsit-Chan's eyes the pre-occupation of the Chinese
with ethics and human affairs prevented the Neo-Confucian
doctrine of "Investigation of things" from developing into
natural science.
Needham, however, finds roots of scientific
spirit in ancient Taoist philosophy which was in favour of
study of nature rather than ethics and establishment of
social harmony. In Weber's as well as Needham's eyes the
lack of application of mathematical methods and the
consequent inability to transform given data into abstract
physical laws hindered progress of scientific theorization.
In Indian context, transcendentalism leading to
lack of interest in mundane activities was probably the
foremost reason of non-development of science. According
to Hindu Philosophy the highest goal in life is "Moksha",
