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Full Idea
Philosophy and the intellectual sciences stand like statues, worshipped and celebrated, but not moved or advanced.
Gist of Idea
Philosophy is like a statue which is worshipped but never advances
Source
Francis Bacon (Preface to Great Instauration (Renewal) [1620], Vol.4.14), quoted by Robert Fogelin - Walking the Tightrope of Reason Ch.5
Book Ref
Fogelin,Robert: 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' [OUP 2004], p.137
A Reaction
Still the view of most scientists, I suspect. Personally I disagree, because I think philosophy has made enormous advances, in accurate analysis of arguments. The trouble is there is so much of it that it is hard to discern, and we don't live long enough.
| 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] |