Isn&#x27;t alchemy the transformation of lead in to gold - that&#x27;s neither a hoax nor a delusion but instead a performable feat of nuclear physics.<p>Alchemists (like Boyle) almost certainly weren&#x27;t working to deceive people nor under a delusion, they were attempting to do something that was not then possible and - in part by their efforts - has now become possible for people [to a degree].