Talk:Philosopher's stone

Real or Metaphor?

I'd always understood the term "Philosopher's stone" to be analogous to "Philosopher's axe" - neither exist, existed, will exist or was ever intended to exist - it's just a term used to denote some entity or process that acts in a particular way. The properties regularly ascribed to the "Philosopher's stone" are all the things that (most) people could desire: limitless wealth and eternal life (the same name has been given to an artifact conferring deathlessness - and not just in Harry Potter).

Is this just my interpretation? –SuspectedReplicant retire me 23:38, 24 April 2010 (UTC)

Some mention of a panacea (a universal cure) should probably be mentioned. The western stone wasn't just about lead-to-gold, as that was just a manifestation of the knowledge obtained.

The Economic Consequences of the Philosopher's Stone

If the PS were devised in sufficient quantities and price to be of practical application, gold would become 'slightly less valuable' (and what would 'the government gold reserves be replaced by?). Anna Livia (talk) 17:14, 24 December 2020 (UTC)