Francis Bacon

Lore & Background

Bacon has been called the father of empiricism. He argued for the possibility of scientific knowledge based only upon inductive reasoning and careful observation of events in nature. He believed that science could be achieved by the use of a sceptical and methodical approach whereby scientists aim to avoid misleading themselves. Although his most specific proposals about such a method, the Baconian method, did not have long-lasting influence, the general idea of the importance and possibility of a sceptical methodology makes Bacon one of the founders of the scientific method. His portion of the method based in scepticism was a new rhetorical and theoretical framework for science, whose practical details are still central to debates on science and methodology. He is famous for his role in the scientific revolution, promoting scientific experimentation as a way of glorifying God and fulfilling scripture. Bacon was a patron of libraries and developed a system for cataloguing books under three categories – history, poetry, and philosophy – which could further be divided into specific subjects and subheadings. Regarding books, he wrote: 'Some books are to be tasted; others swallowed; and some few to be chewed and digested.' The Baconian theory of Shakespeare authorship, a fringe theory which was first proposed in the mid-19th century, contends that Bacon wrote at least some and possibly all of the plays conventionally attributed to William Shakespeare.

Reader's Guide

Bacon argued that natural philosophy, guided by a systematic and sceptical method, was essential for scientific progress, and his works became highly influential during the Scientific Revolution. He is regarded as the father of empiricism, holding that scientific knowledge could only be built on inductive reasoning and careful observation of nature. He believed scientists must use a methodical, self-critical approach to avoid self-deception. While his specific proposals, known as the Baconian method, did not endure, his broader advocacy for a sceptical methodology established him as a founder of the scientific method. His framework provided a new rhetorical and theoretical basis for science, the practical details of which remain central to debates on methodology. He promoted scientific experimentation as a way to glorify God and fulfil scripture, playing a key role in the scientific revolution. Bacon also served as a patron of libraries, devising a cataloguing system that divided books into history, poetry, and philosophy, with further subdivisions. He famously remarked that some books are to be tasted, others swallowed, and a few chewed and digested. A fringe theory, first proposed in the mid-19th century, suggests he wrote some or all of Shakespeare’s plays.

Did You Know?

• Bacon was the first recipient of the Queen's counsel designation, conferred in 1597.
• He developed a system for cataloguing books under three categories: history, poetry, and philosophy.
• The Baconian theory of Shakespeare authorship, first proposed in the mid-19th century, is a fringe theory that Bacon wrote some or all of Shakespeare's plays.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Libraries are as the shrine where all the relics of the ancient saints, full of true virtue, and that without delusion or imposture, are preserved and reposed." — Francis Bacon "The monuments of wit survive the monuments of power." — Francis Bacon "Scientia potestas est. / Scientia potentia est. / Scientia est potentia." — Francis Bacon "Nay, number (itself) in armies, importeth not much, where the people is of weak courage; for (as Virgil saith) it never troubles the wolf how many the sheep be." — Francis Bacon