Unit 2 Critical Thinking Exercises
1. Consider how alchemy’s initial relation to religion and the occult may have tainted its reputation and its perceived potential to be a scientific practice. Why might this be the case? Should religion and science be kept separate? Why?
2. If alchemists had truly just stumbled upon their findings without using a scientific method, how would this change the contribution alchemy has made to the world of science? Would their findings be less valuable? Why?
3. In your own words, explain how the analogy between astrology and astronomy versus alchemy and chemistry differ.