Epistemology

 

 

epistemology |iˌpistəˈmäləjē|

noun

the theory of knowledge, esp. with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. Epistemology is the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion.

 

Forbidden from holding any position in office in the future, Francis Bacon dedicated the rest of his life to his studies, specifically science, philosophy, theology, and law. With that, Bacon is defined as an empiricist, meaning he studied and expanded on the theory of empiricism, a theory that was a product of the Age of Enlightenment. In fact, he and René Descartes (who is defined as a rationalist) are considered the founders of British empiricism.

 

What is empiricism?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, what is British empiricism?

 

British empiricism is an aspect of empiricism that stemmed from early modern philosophy and early modern science. Bacon as well as Descartes are credited as the founders of British empiricism. Bacon himself is often referred to as the father of empiricism, creating the frame work, along with Thomas Hobbes, for major thinkers such as John Locke.

 

What does this mean for Bacon?

 

Bacon was in the Age of Enlightenment, which followed classical antiquity and preceded neo-classicism, all of which are part of classicism. The Age of Enlightenment took place from the mid 17th century to the late 18th century and involved much of Western Europe (Bacon himself is from England). Bacon was an empiricist as well as one of the founders of British empiricism, both of which dealt with early modern philosophy, modern science, and sensory experience.

 

Bacon heavily influenced the world of science and was described by Voltaire as the "father of the scientific method" for his non-metaphysical approach to science. He also conducted experiments in which he attempted to discover what prolongs a life.

 

In Bacon's The New Atlantis, he establishes a fictional world in which freedom of religion and equality were main points. It is possible that this novel influenced later ideas including womens rights, abolishment of slavery, separation of church and state, and freedom of political expression.

 

Having been a part of the Age of Enlightenment and empiricism, Bacon challenged the traditional way of thinking through his studies, experiments, and writings. What prompted Bacon's way of thinking is the period that came right before the Age of Enlightenment that also prompted many other thinkers to explore these new concepts: a time where traditional values seemed to be set in stone in society. Another influence of Bacon's goes even further back to classical antiquity. Some of Bacon's ideas—namely his Five Functions—built off of the concepts of thinkers such as Plato, Augustine, and Peter Ramus.