Saint Albert the Great: A precursor to modern chemistry
Saint Albert the Great: A precursor to modern chemistry
15 Novembermarks the feast day of Saint Albert the Great, a medieval thinker whose influence extends beyond philosophy and theology. Although he is better known today for his work in these fields, Saint Albert the Great was also a pioneerin chemical science, anticipating concepts and techniques that laid the foundation for modern chemistry. His legacy, which bridges medieval alchemy and the advancements of Renaissance science, remains relevant today.
Saint Albert the Great was an exceptionally advanced philosopher and scientist for his time. While he did not carry out scientific experiments in laboratories like modern chemists, his theoretical and philosophical approach was fundamentalto the evolution of chemical thought. Through his writings, he developed an innovative visionof nature, which challenged the limits of knowledge in his era and left a profound mark on science.
One of the most remarkable aspects of his work is how he applied chemical principles to everyday phenomena, a practice still relevant today. For instance, in his work Liber Ignium, Saint Albert the Great detailed methods for extinguishing fires using substances such as sand, mud, alum, urine, and vinegar. This intuitive understanding of chemistry, applied to safety and daily life, demonstrates the relevance of his ideaseven centuries later.
In terms of chemical theory, Saint Albert the Great was a true precursor. He was among the first to identify the importance of mercury and sulphur as essential components in the formation of metals. His concept of the "affinity" of elements, for example, anticipated the modern theory of chemical reactions, where elements interact due to their intrinsic properties and natural affinities.
Today, the chemistry of metals, refining processes, and the extraction of precious metals such as gold and silver remain an essential part of the chemical industry, and many of the processes described by Saint Albert the Great in his writings, such as cupellation for refining metals or the production of white lead, continue to hold relevance.
Moreover, his discoveryof arsenic and his method for preparing caustic potash using lime—procedures still employed in modern industry—are just a few examples of how his research transcended his time. These advancements were not only crucialfor the development of chemistrybut also provided the foundations for modern chemistry and the chemical industry as we know them today.
Today, in the context of modern chemistry, research on new substances, reactions, and chemical production methods continues to build on the ideasthat figures like Saint Albert the Great began to explore centuries ago. His work, though carried out in a vastly different context, still serves as an inspiration for scientists and researchers, reaffirming his legacyas a pioneer in the field of chemistry.
The figure of Saint Albert the Great reminds us that science is a continuous journey, where the ideas of great thinkers from the past continue to influence the most modern advancements. A legacy that remains alive.
