[HPforGrownups] Re: the scorcerers stone

[Kathryn Cawte]

No: HPFGUIDX 75680

 
 
bboy_mn: 
The key to your statement is 'as far as we know'. The Philosopher's
Stone is known across Europe, Arabia, and Asian according to the
documented history of the Philosopher's Stone. 
 
Me -
 
And is seen as a sort of Holy Grail for alchemists - as in *they don't find
it*. Flamel is the only one who is even considered to have had any success.
I wonder how he described it in the wizarding world? Because in real life he
had a dream where he was told someone would offer him a book that would tell
him how to find it and did indeed (apparently) receive a book in a language
that he devoted most of his life to translating. The only actual evidence we
have that he may have succeeded in his quest is because apparently when they
dug up his grave later his body was missing.
 
bboy_mn: 
 
We must remember that
JKR didn't invent the Stone, it has it's own history dating back many
hundreds of years. When JKR brings in existing myth and mythology,
she is usually pretty true to the legend. 
 
Me -
 
Yet she also twists them to her own ends. You are talking about how Master
Alchemists in general behave and presenting it as the one absolute truth and
I am pointing out that in this particular work of fiction we have never
*met* a master alchemist so we have no idea how they might think.
 
bboy_mn: 
 
Also, the text the Hermione reads refers to Flamel as having the only
Stone in existance; but I can't read that as absolute. It has to be
interpreted as the only Stone known by the wizard world to exist. 
 
Me -
 
You cannot base a theory on hypothetical people who might have done
something contradictory to waht we have been told in the books, present it
as total and absolute truth and not expect people to start shooting holes in
it. Try using the phrases 'it is possible that', 'I think', 'perhaps' and 
in my opinion' a little more.
 
bboy_mn: 
 
 
If you were knowledgable in the legends of alchemy and the Stone, then
you would know that the Stone and it's pursuit are a religious
persuit. You can never gain the wisdom necessary to create the stone
unless you have reach the necessary level of spiritual enlightenment.
Regarding Nicholas Flamel, his knowledge and insight into the creation
of the stone came out of ancient Jewish tradition. 
 
Me -
 
Actually I am fairly knowledgeable on Nicholas Flamel and the Stone but we
have no idea how true to the history JKR has been. For all we know her
Flamel could have no concept of spiritual enlightenment at all and be doing
this from purely selfish reasons. Now he's probably a little more reasonable
that that to have agreed to let the Stone be destroyed - but we only
actually have Dumbledore's word that he was reasonable and able to be
persuaded. Being the devious sort of person Dumbledore seems to be it's
possible he told Flamel the Stone *had* been destroyed, fairly safe in the
knowledge that the only person other than Voldemort who couold tell him
different based on actual evidence rather than gossip was Harry himself, who
is so watched and protected that he's unlikely to meet anyone Dumbledore
doesn't want him to.
 
 
 
K