Ideas of Francis Bacon, by Theme
[English, 1561 - 1626, Born in London. Chancellor of England, but found guilty of corruption. Died in London after experimenting with refrigeration.]
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1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 7. Despair over Philosophy
6602
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Philosophy is like a statue which is worshipped but never advances
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1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 1. Nature of Metaphysics
12124
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Metaphysics is the best knowledge, because it is the simplest
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1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 4. Metaphysics as Science
12123
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Natural history supports physical knowledge, which supports metaphysical knowledge
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1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 5. Metaphysics beyond Science
12119
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Physics studies transitory matter; metaphysics what is abstracted and necessary
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12120
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Physics is of material and efficient causes, metaphysics of formal and final causes
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8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 1. Nominalism / a. Nominalism
16639
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Only individual bodies exist
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9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 2. Hylomorphism / c. Form as causal
16625
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In hylomorphism all the explanation of actions is in the form, and the matter doesn't do anything
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16033
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There are only individual bodies containing law-based powers, and the Forms are these laws
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12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 1. Perception
16724
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The senses deceive, but also show their own errors
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12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 1. Empiricism
12121
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We don't assume there is no land, because we can only see sea
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3648
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Empiricists are collecting ants; rationalists are spinning spiders; and bees do both
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14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 3. Experiment
12117
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Science moves up and down between inventions of causes, and experiments
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6603
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Nature is revealed when we put it under pressure rather than observe it
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14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 2. Aim of Science
21950
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Science must clear away the idols of the mind if they are ever going to find the truth
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14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 5. Commensurability
12127
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Many different theories will fit the observed facts
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15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 5. Generalisation by mind
12126
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People love (unfortunately) extreme generality, rather than particular knowledge
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26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 2. Natural Purpose / c. Purpose denied
12125
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Teleological accounts are fine in metaphysics, but they stop us from searching for the causes
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26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 6. Early Matter Theories / a. Greek matter
16624
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Stripped and passive matter is just a human invention
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26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / a. Scientific essentialism
12118
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Essences are part of first philosophy, but as part of nature, not part of logic
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28. God / A. Divine Nature / 6. Divine Morality / b. Euthyphro question
7399
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Even without religion, there are many guides to morality
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