Metallic Transmutation in Sennert’s Early Writings: Vegetal Analogies and the Question of Emergence

Abstract

This article discusses a consistency problem arising from the combination of three claims that Sennert makes in both his early and his late writings: The first refers to his belief in the reality of metals changing into metals of a different species; the second to his belief that substantial forms individuate metals and determine their species membership; and the third to his belief that substantial forms have come into being with creation and perpetuate their species by means of multiplying themselves. Metallic transmutation seems to imply a commitment to species change whereas the multiplication of substantial forms implies a commitment to species constancy. I will argue that the use of vegetal analogies in Sennert’s early writings could give a clue as to how this apparent inconsistency could be resolved. In particular, Sennert’s comments on Jacob Schegk’s account of the generation of plant-based medicaments are meant to illuminate the analogy that Sennert draws between the generation of plant-based medicaments and the structure of metallic mixtures. Sennert’s account of form-bearing, metal-generating spirits that can be constituents of mixtures such as mineral waters offers theoretical resources to reconcile species constancy with species change.