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Francis Bacon (1561-1625)

 

Explanations > Social Research > Theorists > Francis Bacon (1561-1625)

Key points | Discussion | See also

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.

See also

Rationalism

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

 

 

Please help and share:

 

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

+ Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

– About
– Guest Articles
– Blog!
– Books
– Changes
– Contact
– Guestbook
– Quotes
– Students
– Webmasters

 

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