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Single Idea 6603

[filed under theme 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 3. Experiment ]

Full Idea

The secrets of nature reveal themselves more readily under the vexations of art than when they go their own way.

Clarification

'Art' here means human skill

Gist of Idea

Nature is revealed when we put it under pressure rather than observe it

Source

Francis Bacon (Preface to Great Instauration (Renewal) [1620], Vol.4.95), quoted by Robert Fogelin - Walking the Tightrope of Reason Ch.5

Book Ref

Fogelin,Robert: 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' [OUP 2004], p.138

A Reaction

This is a splendid slogan for the dawn of the age of science, and pinpoints the reason why we have advanced so much further than the Greeks. You can, of course, overdo the 'vexations of art'. It also justifies the critical approach to philosophy.

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]
12124 Metaphysics is the best knowledge, because it is the simplest [Bacon]
12123 Natural history supports physical knowledge, which supports metaphysical knowledge [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]
16625 In hylomorphism all the explanation of actions is in the form, and the matter doesn't do anything [Bacon]
16624 Stripped and passive matter is just a human invention [Bacon]