What is modern science as explained by M. Waldman, and how does it differ from the theories of Agrippa and the other scientists Victor studies in...

The "scientists" Victor studied as a child and young adult included pseudoscientists who, rather than studying actual scientific fact and principle, instead focused on the fantastic and on processes and substances known to be imaginary.  These include the creation of the philosopher's stone, a substance that would allow the user to turn base metals into gold (a process known as alchemy) and also prolong the user's life indefinitely, as well as the supernatural and the...

The "scientists" Victor studied as a child and young adult included pseudoscientists who, rather than studying actual scientific fact and principle, instead focused on the fantastic and on processes and substances known to be imaginary.  These include the creation of the philosopher's stone, a substance that would allow the user to turn base metals into gold (a process known as alchemy) and also prolong the user's life indefinitely, as well as the supernatural and the occult.

Regarding these men, Professor Waldman says, "'The ancient teachers of this science [...] promised impossibilities, and performed nothing.'"  In other words, these teachers made promises they could not keep because it is impossible to turn one metal into another, to extend life forever.  Their aspirations were enormous and they failed at each one.

Waldman continues, "'The modern masters promise very little [...].  But these philosophers, whose hands seem only made to dabble in dirt, and their eyes to pour over the microscope or crucible, have indeed performed miracles.'"  So, contemporary Enlightenment scientists may not make the wonderful promises their predecessors did, but they are actually able to keep the ones they make.  For example, they were making strides in their understanding of the human body at the processes that keep us alive.  Therefore, the kinds of science that Waldman is talking about consist of what we think of as chemistry and biology.  "Natural science," for them, means a study of the processes of nature as opposed to the study of things which are unnatural (those topics traversed by the likes of men such as Agrippa).