more on this theme     |     more from this text

Single Idea 16624

[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / a. Greek matter ]

Full Idea

Stripped and passive matter seems nothing more than an invention of the human mind.

Gist of Idea

Stripped and passive matter is just a human invention

Source

Francis Bacon (Philosophical Studies 1611-19 [1617], p.206), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 07.2

Book Ref

Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.123

A Reaction

Bacon seems to me to get too little credit in the history of philosophy, because he is just seen as a progenitor of science. His modern views predate most radical 17th C thought by 20 years.

The 20 ideas from Francis Bacon

12117 Science moves up and down between inventions of causes, and experiments [Bacon]
12119 Physics studies transitory matter; metaphysics what is abstracted and necessary [Bacon]
12120 Physics is of material and efficient causes, metaphysics of formal and final causes [Bacon]
12118 Essences are part of first philosophy, but as part of nature, not part of logic [Bacon]
12121 We don't assume there is no land, because we can only see sea [Bacon]
12123 Natural history supports physical knowledge, which supports metaphysical knowledge [Bacon]
12124 Metaphysics is the best knowledge, because it is the simplest [Bacon]
12125 Teleological accounts are fine in metaphysics, but they stop us from searching for the causes [Bacon]
12126 People love (unfortunately) extreme generality, rather than particular knowledge [Bacon]
12127 Many different theories will fit the observed facts [Bacon]
3648 Empiricists are collecting ants; rationalists are spinning spiders; and bees do both [Bacon]
16724 The senses deceive, but also show their own errors [Bacon]
6602 Philosophy is like a statue which is worshipped but never advances [Bacon]
6603 Nature is revealed when we put it under pressure rather than observe it [Bacon]
16639 Only individual bodies exist [Bacon]
21950 Science must clear away the idols of the mind if they are ever going to find the truth [Bacon]
16033 There are only individual bodies containing law-based powers, and the Forms are these laws [Bacon]
7399 Even without religion, there are many guides to morality [Bacon]
16624 Stripped and passive matter is just a human invention [Bacon]
16625 In hylomorphism all the explanation of actions is in the form, and the matter doesn't do anything [Bacon]