Francis Bacon (1561-1625)

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Key points

Distinguished between memory, imagination, and reason. Science as objective discipline.

Key text: Of the Proficience and Advancement of Learning Divine and Humane (1605)

Key philosophy: Rationalism

Discussion

Bacon was an early philosopher who sought to break the stranglehold of religion over truth, although he was wise enough not to directly refute it (not to do so was hazardous, as Galileo found out).

He saw a key activity of science as demystifying false and irrational interpretations in order to establish truth.

Four idols that obscure truth:

Idols of the cave: so focused on instances we cannot create generalizations.
Idols of the tribe: where habits and traditions drive passions that rule our thoughts.
Idols of the theatre: where myths of the past dominate.
Idols of the marketplace: where everyday language blocks scientific explanation.

He promoted breaking things down to smallest part for analysis (ie. Atomism) and built a scientific method that left observers to make up their own minds about results. 'Precise observation and scientific detachment' as he wrote.