“If anyone objects
that the sciences and arts have been perverted to evil and luxury and such
like, the objections should convince no one. The same may be said of all
earthly goods, intelligence, courage, strength, beauty, wealth, the light itself
and all the rest. Just let man recover the right over nature which belongs to
him by God’s gift, and give it scope; right reason and sound religion will
govern its use” (Aphorisms CXXIX,
p. 101).
In these passages, Bacon argues why
acquiring knowledge is important and attempts to encourage others to support
both this argument and his methodology. In the first chosen passage, I think
that Bacon correctly observes that when it comes to gaining knowledge, it is
best for individuals to be motivated by the idea that most of the phenomena and
things on this world are unknown to mankind. This idea is also a much more
realistic one as it is an established truth within science that mankind only
knows a fraction of what happens on this planet. In the Aphorisms, Bacon talks
about the three major benefits that knowledge has gained: gunpowder, the
ability to print, and the compass, all of which have caused great political and
cultural changes (CXXIX, p. 100). He successfully shows that such discoveries
are necessary in order to see mankind develop further.
Bacon, in my opinion, rightfully
depicts the importance of acquiring knowledge but then he forms a further
argument that the knowledge gained do not lead to evil or corruption that I do
not easily agree with. I do believe that in general new discoveries and
inventions have to great and positive effects on societies, yet I do think that
some developments can lead to danger or consequences with the absence of
regulations or rules. For instance, while the development of the Atomic Bomb
led to even more growth within science and technology, the world saw its
devastating effects on Nagasaki and Hiroshima during World War II. Now the western
world must still deal with the effects, both environmental and political. Although
Bacon does show that other elements, like individuals own characteristics like
courage and intelligence can lead to disastrous effects. However I still do not believe that religious
faith and reasoning alone will keep new advancements in check. Do you agree
with Bacon on the importance of the acquisition of knowledge for the
advancement of mankind? Do you think that “right reason and sound religion” can
keep these advancements properly in check?
I think this is a really interesting point. Bacon warns us that we must pursue knowledge but not let it be used for "evil and luxury," but at the same time, he is SO ambitious and energetic about this project that, every time I read it, I cannot help but be suspicious of his motives. Even if he is entirely well-intending, it seems like the American perspective to argue that capitalism (competition) can do great things for innovation that ultimately do aid in Bacon's project's goal. Thus some level of competition (or envy or greed or ambition) could be beneficial. Scientists would more readily correct errors and raise expectations. "Right reason and sound religion," I think, would not be enough.
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