Francis Bacon剖析

Francis Bacon
• knowledge is power • In beauty, that of favor, is more than that of color; and that of decent and gracious motion, more than that of favor 形体之美要 胜于颜色之美，而优雅行为之美又胜于形体之美 • Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man. 阅读 使人充实，交谈使人机智，写作使人精确。
The blend of philosophy and socialism
Bacon’s thought of philosophy is inextricably linked with its social thought
reasons:
• The representative of the period of rising bourgeoisie • Advocating the development of production • Eagered to explore the nature • Requiring the progress of science
Works by Francis Bacon
Scientific works
• • • • •
• • • •
literary works
1.The Great Instauration （《伟大的复兴》） 2.Novum Oganum (《新工具论》） 3.The Advancement of Learning (《论学术的进展》） 4.《自然界的大事》 5.《迷宫的线索》
Society
• Britain underwent the social turbulence caused by the peasant uprising and feudal wars so that people desired peace and stabilization • The emergence and development of capitalism
Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates (1612, enlarged 1625) Of Regimen of Health (1597, enlarged 1612, again 1625) Of Suspicion (1625) Of Discourse (1597, slightly enlarged 1612, again 1625) Of Plantations (1625) Of Riches (1612, much enlarged 1625) Of Prophecies (1625) Of Ambition (1612, enlarged 1625) Of Masques and Triumphs (1625) Of Nature in Men (1612, enlarged 1625) Of Custom and Education (1612, enlarged 1625) Of Fortune (1612, slightly enlarged 1625) Of Usury (1625) Of Youth and Age (1612, slightly enlarged 1625) Of Beauty (1612, slightly enlarged 1625) Of Deformity (1612, somewhat altered 1625) Of Building (1625) Of Gardens (1625) Of Negotiating (1597, enlarged 1612, very slightly altered 1625) Of Followers and Friends (1597, slightly enlarged 1625) Of Suitors (1597, enlarged 1625)
The Advancement of Learning and Novum Organum are the first two parts of The Great Instauration which is an unfinished encyclopedia.
The Advancement of Learning
Family
• Aristocratic family • His mother---an erudite aristocratic women • His father（古拉斯· 培根 爵士）---the keeper of the seals（掌玺大臣） and the minister of justice(大 法官)
Biography
Francis Bacon
1561 /1/ 22－1626/ 4 /9
1st Viscount St. Alban (第一代圣阿尔本子爵)
Main points
*1561 →官二代，富二代→well educated *1573 →Cambridge →critical thinking＆world view *1579 →death of father →law at Gray's Inn *1584 →parliamentarian（23） →political career *1602 →James I →promotion (Lord Chancellor ) *1621 →bribe-taking→ science /philosophy *1926 →death → for science
About its concepts • a wild variety of topics ： public ＆ private on subjects
• a wide range of styles
writing styles of Bacon's Essay
• 3 prominent features directness →express with clesrness ＆ a few words
• Religious fanaticism and suspicion • Political arrogance • the error and immature of Academics itself • An overview of all learning fields
Philosophy theology
The background • • • • • Times Society Family Culture Personal views
Times
• The late 16th century and early 17th century • The formation of the European nation-states • Renaissance (Shakespeare) • Ming dynasty
The early works of utopia （乌托邦）
The Essays
By Francis Bacon
The Essays《人生论》
a new genre(体裁) a landmark some phrases brevity（简洁） & powerfulness Biblical allusions圣经典故 metaphors & cadence韵律 famous sayings
1. Bacon's first literary work 2. about politics and philosophy of life. 3. classical western philosophical prose
And ,it concludes
Of Of Of Of Of Of Of Of love death studies marriage and single life beauty parents and children friendship fortune
And so on ……
The Essays
• The relationship between human and the world • The relationship between man and himself • The relationship between man and god
1.Essays(《论说随笔文集》） 2.The Wisdom of The Acients(《论古人的智慧》） 3.The New Atlantis(《新大西岛》） 4.A History of the Life and Reign of King Henry VII （《亨利七 世本纪》） • 5.《论事物的本性》 • 6.《论人类知识》 • 7.《各家哲学的批判》
Culture
• The philosophy of rationalism • Materialism • Classic literature • French culture
Personal views
The four parts influenced a lot on Bacon. However, the society and culture take up the main roles.
brevity → short sentences
forcefulness→ became famous sayings
Of Truth (1625) Of Death (1612, enlarged 1625) Of Unity in Religion/Of Religion (1612, rewritten 1625) Of Revenge (1625) Of Adversity (1625) Of Simulation and Dissimulation (1625) Of Parents and Children (1612, enlarged 1625) Of Marriage and Single Life (1612, slightly enlarged 1625) Of Envy (1625) Of Love (1612, rewritten 1625) Of Great Place (1612, slightly enlarged 1625) Of Boldness (1625) Of Goodness and Goodness of Nature (1612, enlarged 1625) Of Nobility (1612, rewritten 1625) Of Seditions and Troubles (1625) Of Atheism (1612, slightly enlarged 1625) Of Superstition (1612, slightly enlarged 1625) Of Travel (1625) Of Empire (1612, much enlarged 1625) Of Counsels (1612, enlarged 1625) Of Delays (1625) Of Cunning (1612, rewritten 1625) Of Wisdom for a Man's Self (1612, enlarged 1625) Of Innovations (1625) Of Dispatch (1612) Of Seeming Wise (1612) Of Friendship (1612, rewritten 1625)
• All colors will agree in the dark (Of Unity in Religion). • Revenge is a kind of wild justice (Of Death). • Knowledge itself is power (originally in Latin)(Of Religious Meditations). • A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds (Of Ceremonies & Respects).
Induction (归纳法)
work.
st
The New Atlantis
The description about an utopia state on an imaginary island The wise application of scientific research was the way lead to prosperous and happiness.