Muntersbjorn, Madeline M. (2002) Francis Bacon`s Philosophy of Science: machina intellectus and forma indita. [Preprint]

Microsoft Word (.doc) Muntersbjorn.doc Download (61kB)

Abstract

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) wrote that good scientists are not like ants (mindlessly gathering data) or spiders (spinning empty theories). Instead, they are like bees, transforming nature into a nourishing product. This essay examines Bacon`s "middle way" by elucidating the means he proposes to turn experience and insight into understanding. The human intellect relies on "machines" to extend perceptual limits, check impulsive imaginations, and reveal nature`s latent causal structure, or "forms." This constructivist interpretation is not intended to supplant inductivist or experimentalist interpretations, but is designed to explicate Bacon`s account of science as a collaborative project with several interdependent methodological goals.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Muntersbjorn, Madeline M.
Keywords:	History of Science Case Studies, Philosophers of Science
Depositing User:	Program Committee
Date Deposited:	23 Mar 2003
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:11
Item ID:	1089
Date:	2002
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/1089

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item