Philosopher/Sorcerer

Because the publishing company didn't think Americans would understand the term Philosopher's Stone. Since apparently no one over here knows the occult history of alchemy, or something. But we're not all idiots over here.

Apparantly, it's because the publishers didn't think American children would know what a philosopher was and that they didn't think American children wouldn't be interested in a philosopher, that's if they did know what one was.

Because most American kids in the target age group wouldn't be interested in a book that had philosopher in the title.

It's either because Americans don't know what a philosopher is, or the book people didn't think the title would be good for America.

I agree with Dorypanda. Publishers do have a habit of changing things for Americans because they assume Americans either won't know what certain things are or they wouldn't be so interested with the original title. I think it was silly to change philosopher to sorcerer considering they are two different things. The philosophers stone was based on an idea from Sir Nicholas Flamel (a real person) who was a sorcerer. He wasn't a philosopher.

Because most kids in that age group don't know what a philosopher is.Besides a sorceror sounds scarier and more action-y,ooow ah.They just had to catch the kids interest is all.