Full Idea
I assign to summary philosophy the operation of essences (as quantity, similitude, diversity, possibility), with this distinction - that they be handled as they have efficacy in nature, and not logically.
Clarification
'Summary' philosophy is first or highest philosophy
Gist of Idea
Essences are part of first philosophy, but as part of nature, not part of logic
Source
Francis Bacon (The Advancement of Learning [1605], II.VII.3)
Book Reference
Bacon,Francis: 'Advancement of Learning/New Atlantis' [OUP 1966], p.108
A Reaction
I take this to be a splendid motto for scientific essentialism, in a climate where modal logicians appear to have taken over the driving seat in our understanding of essences.