Technology in Industrial America The Committee on Science and the Arts of Franklin Institute Book

This book had a few amazing nuggets of information. Prior to reading, I vaguely knew who Francis Bacon was - that he was considered the founder of the scientific method and that many atheist's believe he is one of their own. These concepts are only half true. First, Bacon didn't really create the scientific method. He borrowed it, rather surprisingly, from the magic tradition. He believed that the current natural philosophy being taught in universities across Europe was false because it came to its beliefs first and then tried to seek evidence for its claims. Bacon instead wanted to follow the magic tradition of searching for the natural properties of things and only then trying to forma coherent theory of their workings. Indeed, while Bacon did subscribe to a specific worldview, he never tried to promote this, instead believing that each individual should look at the evidence and draw their own conclusions, through rational investigation, rather than subscribing to any one dogma.

Another interesting element was that he believed that advances in natural philosophy should be used for the good of humankind. Rather than the wispy knowledge of ancient philosophers or the nit-picking of logicians, Bacon understood that the natural world could be utilised to improve the lot of humankind.

Overall, an interesting book. It seems like the image of Bacon has been corrupted. He was clearly a man of God and would have been shocked that science is often held up as a defender of atheism.