Ministry of higher education, science and innovations termiz pedagogical institute the faculty of foreign philology

CHAPTER ONE. FRANCIS BACON AS AN ENGLISH MAN WHO WAS INCLINED TOWARDS THE AGE OF RENAISSANCE AND ARTS
1.1.A short bibliography of Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon was born on 22nd of January, 1561 in London. Bacon worked as attorney general and Lord Chancellor of England resigning after he was found guilty of bribery. This unfortunate twist in his life brought him together with his true passions i.e. Humanism and natural philosophy. Francis Bacon was an English man who was inclined towards the age of Renaissance and arts. He negated the old fashioned traditions of teachings and believed in the newness of the age. His inspirations revolved around the Aristotelian ideas of philosophical quest. Bacon negated the Aristotelianism and idealized the new teachings of renaissance humanism. He observed the world through the lens of empiricism¹.
He believed that one needs to experience the reality of existence in order to completely understand life. This is known to be Francis Bacon’s method of understanding science and humanity. Francis Bacon was given the title “Father of Scientific method”. In the literary world Bacon is remembered as an all-rounder. He was a lawyer, statesman and a philosopher. Francis Bacon is remembered as a source of wisdom in the literary world.
Bacon teaches a certain principles of science in order to understand life and the world we live in we have to experience the life by living it. He stated this as the empirical scientific method. According to him this scientific method will shed light upon the important characteristics of the nature that would “eventually disclose and bring into sight all that is most hidden and secret in the universe.”
Francis Bacon being an all-rounder wrote in a way that was suitable for every profession. He understood the multidimensional society very well.
Bacon often wrote for the court during his career as a statesman and counsel. In the ear 1584 Francis Bacon wrote his first political memorandum, a letter of advice to Queen Elizabeth. He even wrote a speech for entertainment purpose in the year 1592 to celebrate the anniversary of queen’s coronation. The year 1597 was the year when Bacon’s first publication, a collection of essays about politics came into the literary world. The collection was later extended and republished in 1612 and 1625.
He wrote in prose style that fitted every profession. Bacon’s take on different aspects of life such as Love, Truth and religion is evident in the literary world. The way Bacon adapted to the society around him is marvelous and a very evident feature of his writing style. Bacon stands out in the literary world due to his unique approach towards thinking.
In England three types of thought triumphed in the late 16th century: the Aristotelian teachings and Scholasticism, intellectual and aesthetic humanism, and occultism. Aristotle is considered as the epitome of knowledge and wisdom. He contributed his genius in different spheres of life and the world. In England Aristotle remained the master of philosophical teachings, despite the criticism of Aristotle’s theory of logics.
Bacon grew up studying Aristotle’s philosophical teachings. The desire of finding answers led him to understand life closely with a different prism. Opposing the Aristotelian teachings Bacon came up with his philosophical approach of trying to understand life closely by experiencing different situations. Bacon simplifies the philosophical approach for a man to understand properly. His writing is direct and to the point. His style of writing prose is easily understandable for example, in “Of Studies,” he writes “Crafty men condemn studies; simple men admire them; and wise men use them.” This phrase by Francis Bacon doesn’t require of any analysis in order to understand the meaning. His writings are self-explanatory and that proves his genius in the literary world. Bacon writes in a systematic way, without wasting his words on unnecessary information. His writings showcase how he moves logically from on subject to another.
He is considered as one of the most important Empiricists in the philosophical as well as literary world. He takes up his ideas after experiencing from life and observing it closely. For example in his essay “Of Love,” he showcases the reality of this emotion that is not just a fantasy but comprises of both good and bad attributes. He puts forth a clear vision regarding different subjects of life. Bacon’s take on life is unique and interesting as his essays are an amalgamation of both Greek and Latin phrases. A person who is decently educated would be able to understand his essays as well as the homey imagery took out from everyday life. He deliberately writes in this manner so that he reaches out to the masses equally. Be it highly educated or moderately educated. Bacon was attracted by the beauty of the nature. He merged the beauty and knowledge of nature in a manner which allows the reader to have a multidimensional vision of his teachings².
Another very important phenomenon of Bacon’s life was the teachings of occultism that is the quest of mystical parallels between man and the cosmos. It allows an individual to understand the magical elements possessed in the world by relating it to the reality. Bacon himself is known to be an occultist. His teachings revolve around the “natural magic” that the nature possesses. He provokes his readers to be vigilant on their surroundings and observe the nature closely. One should open the inner eye to feel the magical attributes of the world. Bacon believed that the human mind is fit enough to possess the worldly knowledge and must strive to decipher the knowledge by keeping an observing eye open. Even though Bacon’s literary works covered quite an extensive range of topics, all of his writings have one thing in common i.e. Bacon’s desire to make an impact through his teachings and research. He wanted to change the system of old fashion education. He believed that tradition can breathe in the air of modernity; a little acceptance is all that is required.
Bacon states “true directions concerning the interpretation of nature,” in other words he is trying to make his reader understand that the method of acquiring true knowledge is by observing and understanding the nature. Bacon researched and gathered knowledge keeping in mind the next generations. He modified the old fashion knowledge into an accessible mode of knowledge.
In the first book of Novum Organum Bacon debates the reasons of human flaw in the quest of knowledge. Earlier Aristotle discussed logical fallacies, usually found in human rationality, but Bacon was unique in observing the methods of reasoning. He invented the metaphor of “idol” to state such causes of human flaw.
Bacon played an important role as a linguist in the literary world. Language is the means of understanding the world around us. Language, like other human accomplishments, partakes of human limitations. This aspect of Bacon’s thought has been almost as persuasive as his account of natural knowledge, inspiring a long tradition of cynical rationalism, from the Enlightenment³.
Bacon lived in a time when new worlds were being discovered on Earth. He negated the perception that everything is either revealed by religion or Aristotle. He challenged the grand narrative of religion and researched himself to find answers. Bacon protected the study of nature against those who measured it as either improper or perilous. He argued for a supportive and systematic method against individualism and instinct. Today Bacon is known among great philosophers as an emblem of the notion that is widely held to be misunderstood, that science is inductive.