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Vows to intellectual enlightenment
As early as 1592, Francis Bacon sent his uncle, Lord Burghley, a famous letter “all knowledge” where he declared his personal commitment to a plan for the full-scale rehabilitation and reorganization of learning. Bacon produced impressive works most his life, but it was not until 1621 Bacon was able to dedicate his entire life solely to this achievement, when he was forced to leave public office (Iep.utm.edu, 2018). -
The Proficience and Advancement of Learning
In 1605, Francis Bacon's, "The Proficience and Advancement of Learning" became arguably one of the earliest and most important philosophical works to be published in English. One of the many philosophical discoveries in this work involved the distempers of learning. Specifically Bacon described "Fantastical Learning" (today known as pseudoscience) as an imaginative science that lacked a true foundation and was shielded from outside criticism, such as astrology (Iep.utm.edu, 2018). -
Magna Instauratio
Magna Instauratio (that is, the “grand edifice” or Great Instauration), represented a kind of summa or culmination of all Bacon’s thought on subjects ranging from logic and epistemology to practical science, or what in Bacon’s day was called “natural philosophy” (Iep.utm.edu, 2018). One of the more well known parts of the Magna Instauratio involved Bacon's Inductive reasoning. Which led to a new method of scientific testing. -
Novum Organum
Francis Bacon's Novum Organum (or “New Organon”) provided explanations and demonstrations of how to interpret nature. It first appeared in 1620. This, his second part, presented essential elements of Bacon’s philosophy, to include "idols," which referred to the hindrances of learning. Bacon's four idols ranged from human nature, culture, language, and philosophy. Most of Bacon's major ideas and principles were later associated to the terms “Baconian” and “Baconianism” (Iep.utm.edu, 2018). -
Insulation Properties of Snow
Sadly, Francis Bacon passed away on 9 April 1626, supposedly of a cold or pneumonia. Bacon dedicated his remaining years (approximately five) to the discovery of scientific knowledge for the “use and benefit of men.” Bacon was testing the insulation properties of snow when he became ill with the supposed cold or pneumonia. Achieving higher intellect was a lifelong project for Francis Bacon (Iep.utm.edu, 2018).
