From the book
The Sophic Hydrolith, Water Stone of the Wise
Anonymous and companion authors · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
Plato has two distinct roles in this collection. The Hydrolith includes him among alleged possessors of the art, lending philosophical authority to its introductory genealogy. In Nature’s dialogue, however, she names Plato and Aristotle as unable to know even a little of her subtle formation of the human body. The second use restricts the power of celebrated philosophers rather than simply endorsing them. The English retains Plato in both places. These claims come from different works and should not be harmonised into a single biographical judgement about his alchemical knowledge.
Places to read
- Opening explanation · unit 6Plato appears in the alleged lineage of possessors.
- Nature’s Demonstration to the Erring Alchemist · unit 10Nature invokes Plato’s limited knowledge to assert her own formative power.
Attested forms
Plato