Francis Bacon, a philosopher, statesman, and essayist, was a towering figure of the 17th century in England. His advocacy for the empirical method, which would later form the basis of the scientific method, marked a significant shift in the landscape of scientific inquiry. Bacon's vision was not just for the advancement of knowledge, but for the practical application of this knowledge to improve society and the human condition.
The cultural mandate, as found in the book of Genesis, is a theological concept that has been interpreted to mean God's command to humankind to populate the earth and have dominion over it. This mandate, seen in the contexts of creation, sin, and redemption, has been a driving force in shaping human culture and society. In the state of creation, it was a call to stewardship and creativity. Post-sin, it became a context for human rebellion and the misuse of creation. In the promise of redemption, it is seen as a part of God's plan to restore all things through Christ.
During the Elizabethan era, a utopian vision began to take shape, influenced by the relative peace, stability, and prosperity of the period, as well as the expansion of horizons through exploration. This vision, while not without its flaws and failures, laid the groundwork for the Puritan vision for the New World. The Puritans, seeking religious freedom and the opportunity to create a new society, were motivated by a desire to realise a kind of "heaven on earth" in the New World. This was a direct extension of the utopian vision of the Elizabethan era, filtered through the lens of the cultural mandate and the Puritan's particular religious convictions.
Francis Bacon's ideas and works, particularly his utopian novel "New Atlantis," were influential in shaping the Puritan's vision for the New World. In "New Atlantis," Bacon depicted a society that had harnessed the power of science and technology for the common good, guided by a state-sponsored research institute. This vision of a society that used knowledge and discovery to fulfill the cultural mandate of stewardship and improvement of the human condition had a profound impact on the Puritan's utopian project in the New World.
In Novum Organum, a philosophical work, Bacon presents a pre-modern idea that challenges the traditional frameworks of knowledge. Bacon argues that true knowledge must be validated by positive outcomes that enrich us. He emphasizes the importance of combining theory and practice across all human experiences. This approach, he suggests, should not only enhance our intellectual understanding but also translate into tangible wealth. Bacon's vision in Novum Organum is a call to integrate empirical validation with knowledge production, advocating for a model of science that is both productive and progressive.
The British Philosophers series
The British Philosophers: Sir Francis Bacon
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33 Sir Francis Bacon and Scientific Knowledge | Dr. Arthur Holmes | History of Western Philosophy
33 Sir Francis Bacon and Scientific Knowledge | Dr. Arthur Holmes | History of Western Philosophy