Bacon says there are three states in which nature exists.
Nature is either free, taken away from its state by obstructions, or shaped by
humans. He refers to the third state as the arts and later states in aphorism V
that the most important part of forming natural history is the history arts.
“ The most
useful parts of history which we have mentioned is the history of arts; it
shows things in motion, and leads more directly to practice. It also lifts the
mask and veil from natural things, often hidden and obscured by a variety of
shapes (227 Bacon).”
Bacon is suggesting that nature is at its best state when we
manipulate it. To know the true history of nature we must alter it in ways that
enable us to understand it. He later talks about how the best types of art are
the ones that truly alter nature, not just to understand it, but to also use it
for material goods. He believes we must use experiments to understand and use
nature properly, and not only relevant experiments. “ We must accept not only
experiments which are relevant to the purpose of art, but any experiments that
happen to come up (228 Bacon). “ So we must manipulate and alter nature, even
if we do not see a clear purpose to it.
Where do you think the line should be drawn for
experimentation on nature? Do you agree that the most important part of natural
history is the history of the arts?
This understanding of Bacon’s interest in the history of the arts is insightful. Bacon is most interested in the collection and practical use of empirical scientific knowledge collected about nature. Where Aristotle believes that the acquisition of knowledge is important in its own right, Bacon believes these understandings of nature are important to relieving the burdens of the human condition. With these newly acquired understandings nature can then be manipulated to the benefit of humanity. Like in the House of Solomon, there is a strange experimentation that is conducted to create news ways in which to control and understand nature. Bacon’s utopian future will utilize our understanding of nature to manipulate it like art.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Bacon that the manipulation of and experimentation on nature is necessary. Genetically modified crops are a good example of an necessary manipulation of nature. Were it not for GM crops, the ever growing populations in developing agricultural natures would not be able to support themselves. Crops are not the only thing that are genetically modified. This experimentation impacts all kinds of plants and animals and is one of the most important aspects of domestication. For this reason, experimentation on nature, even without a clear purpose, is completely necessary to our advancement in the natural world.
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