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Encyclopedia > Baconian method

The Baconian method is the investigative method developed by Francis Bacon. It is an early forerunner of the scientific method. The method was put forward in Bacon's book Novum Organum, which means New Organ, and was supposed to replace the methods put forward in Aristotle's Organum. Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans, KC (22 January 1561 – 9 April 1626) was an English philosopher, statesman, spy, freemason and essayist. ... The characterization element can require extended and extensive study, even centuries. ... The Novum Organum is a philosophical work by Francis Bacon. ... Aristotle, marble copy of bronze by Lysippos. ...

Contents


Baconian Method

The Baconian method consists of procedures for isolating the cause of a phenomenon, including the method of agreement, method of difference, and method of concomitant variation.


Bacon suggests that you draw up a list of all things in which the phenomenon you are trying to explain occurs, as well as a list of things in which it does not occur. Then you rank your lists according to the degree in which the phenomenon occurs in each one. Then you should be able to deduce what factors match the occurrence of the phenomenon in one list and don't occur in the other list, and also what factors change in accordance with the way the data had been ranked. From this Bacon concludes you should be able to deduce by good inductive reasoning what is the form underlying the phenomenon. Induction or inductive reasoning, sometimes called inductive logic, is the process of reasoning in which the premises of an argument support the conclusion, but do not ensure it. ... This article is about the meanings of the word form connected with shape or structure. ...


Thus, if an army is successful when commanded by Essex, and not successful when not commanded by Essex: and when it is more or less successful according to the degree of involvement of Essex as its commander, then it is scientifically reasonable to say that being commanded by Essex is causally related to the army's success.


Idols of The Mind

Bacon also listed what he called the Idols of The Mind. He described these as things which obstructed the path of correct scientific reasoning.

  1. Idols of the Tribe: This is humans' tendency to perceive more order and regularity in systems than truly exists, and is due to people following their preconceived ideas about things.
  2. Idols of the Cave: This is due to individuals' personal weaknesses in reasoning due to particular personalities, likes and dislikes.
  3. Idols of the Marketplace: This is due to confusions in the use of language and taking some words in science to have a different meaning than their common usage.
  4. Idols of the Theatre: This is due to using philosophical systems which have incorporated mistaken methods. Here Bacon is referring to the influence of major philosophers (Aristotle) and major religions on science

Followers

The English physician Sir Thomas Browne (1605-82) was one of the earliest scientists to adhere to the scientific empiricism of the Baconian method. His encyclopaedia Pseudodoxia Epidemica (1646-76) includes numerous examples of Baconian investigative methodology; its preface even paraphrases lines from Bacon's essay On Truth from his 1605 work The Advancement of Learning. The Baconian method was further developed and promoted by John Stuart Mill. Sir Thomas Browne (October 19, 1605 - October 19, 1682) was an English author of varied works that disclose his wide learning in diverse fields including medicine, religion, science and the esoteric. ... Sir Thomas Brownes vast work refuting the common errors and superstitions of his age, Pseudodoxia Epidemica, first appeared in 1646 and went through five editions, the last revision occurring in 1672. ... In 1851 Mill married Harriet Taylor after 21 years of an at times intense friendship and love affair. ...


See also


  Results from FactBites:
 
Baconian method - encyclopedia article about Baconian method. (1037 words)
The Baconian method is the investigative method developed by Francis Bacon Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans, KC (22 January 1561 – 9 April 1626) was an English philosopher, statesman, spy, freemason and essayist.
It is an early forerunner of the scientific method Scientific methods or processes are considered fundamental to the scientific investigation and acquisition of new knowledge based upon physical evidence by scientific communities.
The Baconian method was further developed and promoted by John Stuart Mill John Stuart Mill (May 20, 1806 – May 8, 1873), an English philosopher and political economist, was an influential classical liberal thinker of the 19th century.
Baconian method - definition of Baconian method in Encyclopedia (421 words)
The Baconian method is the investigative method developed by Francis Bacon.
The Baconian method consists of procedures for isolating the cause of a phenomenon, including the method of agreement, method of difference, and method of concomitant variation.
The English physician Sir Thomas Browne (1605-82) was one of the earliest scientists to adhere to the scientific empiricism of the Baconian method.
  More results at FactBites »

 

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