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Single Idea 12121
[filed under theme 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 1. Empiricism
]
Full Idea
They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.
Gist of Idea
We don't assume there is no land, because we can only see sea
Source
Francis Bacon (The Advancement of Learning [1605], II.VII.5)
Book Ref
Bacon,Francis: 'Advancement of Learning/New Atlantis' [OUP 1966], p.110
A Reaction
Just the sort of pithy remark for which Bacon is famous. It is an obvious point, but a nice corrective to anyone who wants to apply empirical principles in a rather gormless way.
The
20 ideas
from Francis Bacon
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12117
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Science moves up and down between inventions of causes, and experiments
[Bacon]
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12119
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Physics studies transitory matter; metaphysics what is abstracted and necessary
[Bacon]
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12120
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Physics is of material and efficient causes, metaphysics of formal and final causes
[Bacon]
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12118
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Essences are part of first philosophy, but as part of nature, not part of logic
[Bacon]
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12121
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We don't assume there is no land, because we can only see sea
[Bacon]
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12123
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Natural history supports physical knowledge, which supports metaphysical knowledge
[Bacon]
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12124
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Metaphysics is the best knowledge, because it is the simplest
[Bacon]
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12125
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Teleological accounts are fine in metaphysics, but they stop us from searching for the causes
[Bacon]
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12126
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People love (unfortunately) extreme generality, rather than particular knowledge
[Bacon]
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12127
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Many different theories will fit the observed facts
[Bacon]
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3648
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Empiricists are collecting ants; rationalists are spinning spiders; and bees do both
[Bacon]
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16724
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The senses deceive, but also show their own errors
[Bacon]
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6602
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Philosophy is like a statue which is worshipped but never advances
[Bacon]
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6603
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Nature is revealed when we put it under pressure rather than observe it
[Bacon]
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16639
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Only individual bodies exist
[Bacon]
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21950
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Science must clear away the idols of the mind if they are ever going to find the truth
[Bacon]
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16033
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There are only individual bodies containing law-based powers, and the Forms are these laws
[Bacon]
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7399
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Even without religion, there are many guides to morality
[Bacon]
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16624
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Stripped and passive matter is just a human invention
[Bacon]
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16625
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In hylomorphism all the explanation of actions is in the form, and the matter doesn't do anything
[Bacon]
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