[HPforGrownups] Why name change?

[Rowena Grunnion-Ffitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 26237



--- "Mindy, a.k.a. CLH" <mindyatime at juno.com> wrote:
> Steve the indefatigable wrote:
> 
> " the change from "Philosopher's Stone" to
> Sorcerer's Stone"......
> 
> I may sound like an ignoramus, but what IS the
> reason that the title was
> changed? A sorcerer is an evil witch and a
> philosopher is a philosopher,
> or does a philosopher meaning something else in
> Britenglish?

     The Philosopher's Stone is the name the old
Alchemists gave to the substance that would turn base
metals into gold, (their other great goal was of
course the Elixir of Life, JKR seems to have combined
the two). I figure the American publishers changed the
title because they figured their reading public
wouldn't know that and might become confused.
   'Philosopher' means literally 'lover of wisdom',
nowadays it is only applied to people who make
complicated theories about the nature of reality,
good, knowledge etc. but in the olden days in also
included people we would today call scientists and
mystical types like Alchemists. 

__________________________________________________
Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help?
Donate cash, emergency relief information
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/Emergency_Information/