Before Thomas Edison, many scientists did not clearly distinguish between what we now call science and occultism

 Before Thomas Edison, many scientists did not clearly distinguish between what we now call science and occultism (esoteric or mystical beliefs). They often engaged deeply with alchemy, biblical interpretation, and natural magic as part of their intellectual pursuits.

For example, Isaac Newton, while known for discovering the law of universal gravitation, devoted a vast amount of time to alchemy and studies of the Book of Revelation. He believed that behind the laws of nature lay the will of God, viewing the universe as a divine blueprint. Similarly, Robert Boyle, regarded as a father of modern chemistry, also investigated spiritual forces and considered alchemy as a legitimate extension of scientific inquiry.

Francis Bacon, known for establishing the empirical method of science, also embraced esoteric philosophies and utopian visions. He is even speculated to have had ties to the Rosicrucians, a secretive mystical order. Benjamin Franklin, a pioneer in electricity research, was also deeply involved in Freemasonry, blending Enlightenment rationalism with symbolic and ritual elements.

Another figure, Franz Mesmer, proposed the theory of animal magnetism (mesmerism), which postulated invisible forces flowing through living beings. His work laid the groundwork for modern hypnosis and psychotherapeutic methods.

In this way, many of the founders of modern science approached knowledge without separating the natural from the spiritual. In the worldview of their time, science and occultism were not opposed but were seen as complementary paths to understanding the universe.