Bacon a wanted the data collected (data being central to induction) to be shared. Which led to the Royal Society. Sharing of data is considered by many to be a cornerstone of the scientific method. He was big on data, today's gold. He was a heck of a cheerleader and the result was a major contribution to Empire. The Industrial Revolution soon began in London. He foresaw the future impact of science in the New Atlantis, even though it was set in the present time.
It seems to me the experimental method was already in wide use...you don't get cathedrals and ships by luck. Bacon systematized a way of thinking already in use, his approach was to some degree more a social phenomenon. Humans are data collectors are we not? We couldn't get through the day without induction. He did want to strip out embedded assumptions about why things are the way they are in order to get at actual first physical causes by "torturing nature". Then nature could be controlled. He wanted power more than truth.
Besides the sharing of data the idea of torturing nature was maybe what was unique in his thinking. He was indeed, employed by the Crown in the use of the Rack. Bacon felt it was useful and justified in cases of treason.
I was just looking at the question of the origins of experimental science in my post, today. Francis Bacon gets much of the credit that ought to rest on Roger Bacon and Robert Grosseteste. It's interesting to see how Voltaire boosted Bacon's legacy, in addition to supporting Newton. https://aetherczar.substack.com/p/22-early-and-medieval-ages
Pleasure meeting you, too. Just got your book. Would you mind if I cross-posted your work to my Substack? I think my readers might be interested in your work.
Bacon a wanted the data collected (data being central to induction) to be shared. Which led to the Royal Society. Sharing of data is considered by many to be a cornerstone of the scientific method. He was big on data, today's gold. He was a heck of a cheerleader and the result was a major contribution to Empire. The Industrial Revolution soon began in London. He foresaw the future impact of science in the New Atlantis, even though it was set in the present time.
It seems to me the experimental method was already in wide use...you don't get cathedrals and ships by luck. Bacon systematized a way of thinking already in use, his approach was to some degree more a social phenomenon. Humans are data collectors are we not? We couldn't get through the day without induction. He did want to strip out embedded assumptions about why things are the way they are in order to get at actual first physical causes by "torturing nature". Then nature could be controlled. He wanted power more than truth.
Besides the sharing of data the idea of torturing nature was maybe what was unique in his thinking. He was indeed, employed by the Crown in the use of the Rack. Bacon felt it was useful and justified in cases of treason.
I was just looking at the question of the origins of experimental science in my post, today. Francis Bacon gets much of the credit that ought to rest on Roger Bacon and Robert Grosseteste. It's interesting to see how Voltaire boosted Bacon's legacy, in addition to supporting Newton. https://aetherczar.substack.com/p/22-early-and-medieval-ages
Thanks for your comment. I will definitely check out your writings on this topic. I have been meaning to look into Grosseteste.
Pleasure meeting you, too. Just got your book. Would you mind if I cross-posted your work to my Substack? I think my readers might be interested in your work.
You’re very welcome to cross post it. Hope you enjoy my book!