Introduction to Modern Science and Philosophy
A new world of scientific technology and prosperity brings both benefits, such as medicine and advanced devices, and great anxiety about human existence and moral judgments. Francis Bacon is considered the father of modern science, not for his discoveries, but for offering a new perspective on the world and a program for study, which is why his work is still read today for its imaginative vision and contribution to philosophy.
Characteristics of Modern Philosophy
Modern philosophy is characterized by a severe criticism of previous traditions, involving a large-scale repudiation of the existing order of knowledge and inquiry, with thinkers like Bacon emphasizing the need for new substance beyond repetitive ideas, and acknowledging the scarcity and limited value of existing wisdom.
- Severe criticism of previous traditions
- Repudiation of the existing order of knowledge and inquiry
- Need for new substance beyond repetitive ideas
- Acknowledgement of the scarcity and limited value of existing wisdom
Bacon’s New Foundation for Knowledge
Bacon suggests that the traditional approach to knowledge, derived from the Greeks, is unproductive and barren of works, leading to controversies but not generation or production. He proposes a new foundation for knowledge, aiming not to understand nature, but to command it, with the goal of dominating and controlling nature to assist human beings, earning him the title of the father of modern science.
The Epistemological Turn
The concept of reality is challenged by the idea that our perceptions, such as the greenness of grass, are not inherent to the objects themselves, but rather a result of how our eyes and brains interpret wavelengths of light, thus undermining our understanding of reality and marking the beginning of the epistemological turn with philosophers like Bacon.
Critical Philosophy and the Reliability of Senses
Critical philosophy, introduced by modern philosophers, involves criticizing the reliability of senses in perceiving reality, with this critique becoming increasingly aggressive in subsequent philosophers, ultimately leading to Nietzsche’s conclusion that it is self-defeating, and raising questions about the correctness of challenging sensory knowledge.
- Critique of the reliability of senses
- Increasingly aggressive critique in subsequent philosophers
- Nietzsche’s conclusion that it is self-defeating
- Questions about the correctness of challenging sensory knowledge
Correcting False Views
Our senses can be unreliable and fail us, but we can correct false views by testing them, such as removing a stick from water to see it’s straight or following railroad tracks to notice they don’t converge, and our senses may be our only real contact with reality.
Summary Jigsaw
Drag and drop the sentences below to put them back in the correct order.
- Bacon suggests that the traditional approach to knowledge, derived from the Greeks, is unproductive and barren of works, leading to controversies but not generation or production. He proposes a new foundation for knowledge, aiming not to understand nature, but to command it, with the goal of dominating and controlling nature to assist human beings, earning him the title of the father of modern science.
- A new world of scientific technology and prosperity brings both benefits, such as medicine and advanced devices, and great anxiety about human existence and moral judgments. Francis Bacon is considered the father of modern science, not for his discoveries, but for offering a new perspective on the world and a program for study, which is why his work is still read today for its imaginative vision and contribution to philosophy.
- Our senses can be unreliable and fail us, but we can correct false views by testing them, such as removing a stick from water to see it’s straight or following railroad tracks to notice they don’t converge, and our senses may be our only real contact with reality.
- The concept of reality is challenged by the idea that our perceptions, such as the greenness of grass, are not inherent to the objects themselves, but rather a result of how our eyes and brains interpret wavelengths of light, thus undermining our understanding of reality and marking the beginning of the epistemological turn with philosophers like Bacon.
- Modern philosophy is characterized by a severe criticism of previous traditions, involving a large-scale repudiation of the existing order of knowledge and inquiry, with thinkers like Bacon emphasizing the need for new substance beyond repetitive ideas, and acknowledging the scarcity and limited value of existing wisdom.
- Critical philosophy, introduced by modern philosophers, involves criticizing the reliability of senses in perceiving reality, with this critique becoming increasingly aggressive in subsequent philosophers, ultimately leading to Nietzsche’s conclusion that it is self-defeating, and raising questions about the correctness of challenging sensory knowledge.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Pronunciation | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prosperity | /prɒˈsperɪti/ | A state of being successful and having a lot of money or material possessions. | The new technology brought prosperity to the community, improving their standard of living. |
| Repudiation | /ˌrɛpjʊdiˈeɪʃən/ | The act of rejecting or denying something, especially a belief or an idea. | The philosopher’s repudiation of traditional values sparked a lot of controversy. |
| Epistemological | /ˌɛpɪstɪməˈlɒdʒɪkəl/ | Relating to the study of knowledge and how it is acquired. | The epistemological turn in philosophy led to a greater focus on the nature of knowledge and reality. |
| Barren | /ˈbærən/ | Unable to produce or provide something, especially children or new ideas. | The traditional approach to knowledge was seen as barren and unproductive. |
| Dominate | /ˈdɒmɪneɪt/ | To have control or power over something or someone. | Bacon’s goal was to dominate and control nature to assist human beings. |
| Perception | /pərˈsɛpʃən/ | The way in which something is perceived or interpreted by the senses or the mind. | Our perception of reality is influenced by our senses and our brains. |
| Wavelength | /ˈweɪvleŋθ/ | The distance between two consecutive points on a wave that are in phase with each other. | The wavelength of light affects how we perceive colors and reality. |
| Critique | /krɪˈtiːk/ | A detailed analysis or assessment of something, especially a literary or artistic work. | The philosopher’s critique of the reliability of senses led to a greater understanding of perception and reality. |
| Aggressive | /əˈɡrɛsɪv/ | Having or showing a strong and forceful personality or behavior. | The critique of the reliability of senses became increasingly aggressive in subsequent philosophers. |
| Self-defeating | /self dɪˈfiːtɪŋ/ | Causing oneself to fail or be unsuccessful, often in a way that is ironic or unexpected. | Nietzsche’s conclusion that the critique of sensory knowledge is self-defeating led to a re-evaluation of the role of senses in perception. |
| Unreliable | /ʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl/ | Not able to be trusted or depended on. | Our senses can be unreliable and fail us, leading to false perceptions of reality. |
| Converge | /kənˈvɜːrdʒ/ | To come together or meet at a point, especially in a way that is noticeable or significant. | The railroad tracks appear to converge in the distance, but in reality, they remain parallel. |
| Tradition | /trəˈdɪʃən/ | A long-established custom or way of doing something, especially one that is considered to be important or valuable. | The traditional approach to knowledge was criticized by modern philosophers like Bacon. |
| Inquiry | /ɪnˈkaɪəri/ | A formal or systematic investigation or research, especially one that is conducted in a thorough and detailed way. | The philosopher’s inquiry into the nature of reality led to a greater understanding of perception and knowledge. |
| Controversy | /ˈkɒntrəvərsi/ | A disagreement or argument, especially one that is public or well-known. | The philosopher’s ideas sparked a lot of controversy and debate among scholars. |
| Imaginative | /ɪˈmædʒɪnətɪv/ | Having or showing a lot of imagination or creativity, especially in a way that is original or innovative. | Bacon’s work is still read today for its imaginative vision and contribution to philosophy. |
| Scarcity | /ˈskærəsi/ | A state of being in short supply or lacking something, especially a resource or a quality. | The scarcity of existing wisdom led to a greater emphasis on new ideas and discoveries. |
| Subsequent | /ˈsʌbsɪkwənt/ | Happening or done after something else, especially in a way that is related or connected to it. | The subsequent philosophers built on Bacon’s ideas and developed new theories and critiques. |
| Correctness | /kəˈrɛktəs/ | The quality of being accurate or true, especially in a way that is morally or ethically right. | The correctness of challenging sensory knowledge was questioned by philosophers like Nietzsche. |
Francis Bacon: The Father of Modern Science | Highlights Ep.44 🎓
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Grammar Focus: The Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is used to express doubt, uncertainty, possibility, or potentiality about a situation. It is often used in clauses beginning with words like ‘if,’ ‘wish,’ or ‘suggest.’ In the context of the provided text, the subjunctive mood can be applied to express the hypothetical or uncertain nature of philosophical ideas and scientific discoveries. For example, ‘it is necessary that’ or ‘it is desirable that’ can introduce a subjunctive clause.
