The Aspiring Adept

This volume examines the work of Robert Boyle (1627-1691), one of the leading figures of the Scientific Revolution. The author reinterprets Boyle's "The Sceptical Chymist", aiming to show that it criticises "unphilosophical" pharmacists and textbook writers. He also points to Boyle's enthusiasm for alchemy in "Dialogue on the Transmutation and Melioration of Metals". He further argues that alchemy and other "unscientific" pursuits had a far greater impact on early modern science than previously thought.