Alchemia Adama Kocanskiego SJ
- Format:
- Journal Article
- Year:
- 2004
- Journal Title:
- Forum Philosophicum
- Issue:
- 9
- Language:
- Abstract:
The subject of this paper is the issue of alchemy in the scientific activity of Adam A. Kochanski. Polish Jesuit, Adam Kochanski SJ (1631-1700) was an unusual scholar in the Polish science of the 17th century. Kochaniski was an excellent mathematician, one of his greatest achievement in mathematics is the solution of the famous squaring of the circle. He published his mathematical works in "Acta Eruditorium", one of the first scientific journals in 17th century Europe. Kochanski was a professor of mathematics in Germany, Italy, Prague, Olomouc, Wroclaw and Warszawa. An interesting part Kochanski's activity is his correspondence with many scholars, mathematicans and philosophers, for example the exchange of letters with German philosopher and mathematican Gottfried W. Leibniz. Kochanski studied alchemical literature. He knew very well the writings of famous figures in alchemy. And his knowledge in this subject was very vast. He looked for alchemical books in the centres of academic life. Polish Jesuit met in Mainz German alchemist Jan J. Becher (1635-1685). Becher is the author of a few books on alchemical problems. He was interested in goldmaking, one of greatest alchemical questions. His ideas about the nature of minerals and experiments impressed Kochanski. The reason for his interest in achemical activity is connected with his personality, because Kochanski was always interested in new discoveries in every branch of science at that time, including alchemy. His easiness to make the acquaintance of scholars helped him to devolop the alchemical interests, too. During Kochanski's stay in Prague, he came into contact with Czech magnate and count Jan Marek de Clary-Aldringen, who was interested in alchemy and probably had an alchemic laboratory in Prague. Count de Clary-Aldringen was Kochanski's friend and protector until his death.
- Who (Jesuits):
- What (Subjects):
- Where (Locations):
- When (Centuries):
- Publisher URL:
- Page Range:
- 217–232
- ISSN:
- 1426-1898
- DOI: