Time: 1/22/1561 - 4/9/1626
Location: Strand, London, England |
Philosopher: Francis bacon
Francis Bacon was born on January 22, 1561 in Strand, London, England and died on April 9, 1626. He was an English philosopher, statesman, spy, freemason and essayist. He was in the era of the English Renaissance and the scientific revolution. He served as both Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England. He dreamed of a land where there would be greater rights for women, abolishing slavery, elimination of debtors' prisons, separation of church and state, and freedom of religious and political expression.
contribution:
Francis Bacon is most known for separation of science and religion where philosophy is based on reason, faith is based on revelation, and therefore it is irrational. His works were called Baconian method or the scientific method. It was a method of procedure that has characterized Natural Science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses. Bacon's most important achievement was the development of the use of inductive reasoning in science.
Impact
This new form of reasoning made the development of science much easier as it suggest to scientists new ways of thinking. Accordingly, scientific ideas advanced in Europe faster than they otherwise would have. The development of these ideas led Europe to become the scientifically most advanced part of the world from the 1600's. He also helped in making of the new colonies in the new world.
WORLD VIEWS, AND THE RELIGIOUS CHANGES:
Francis Bacon's career came to end in a disgrace. He went into debt and Parliament charged him with 23 different counts of corruption. He was not allowed back into Parliament. After that he devoted himself into study and writing.