breadth - human understanding and knowledge Flashcards
(16 cards)
what was Francis Bacon’s experimental method?
focused on collecting evidence in order to formulate theories
believed methodical and meticulous observation was the best way to understand natural phenomena
Bacon applied his empirical thinking to the study of nature
what was inductive reasoning?
Bacon used ‘Table of Instances’ to record all information about a subject in order to produce a theory
what was Bacon’s belief about magic?
his method preserved a belief in magic
- reverted to the logic used by those who studied natural magic - conclusions stemming from observations in nature
- putting all information in ‘Tables of Instances’ dismissed distinction between magical and rational qualities
his method allowed for unexplained or supernatural phenomena to exist as long as they were observed as part of the scientific process
what were Bacon’s publications?
1605: ‘The Advancement of Learning’
- argued empirical knowledge is the most superior form of knowledge
‘Great Restoration’ and ‘The New Instrument’ (1620)
- argued for his experimental method
- became a guidebook for the Royal Society
1626: ‘The New Atlantis’
- Bacon described a utopian state, where scientific knowledge is valued
what was Gresham college?
established 1645 by a group of natural philosophers
establishment of a permanent organisation, responsible for research in mathematical sciences
what was the Royal Society?
established 1662
included all kinds of intellectuals
aimed to extend boundaries of the arts and sciences
- divided into different committees, each for a different area of study
- 1684: exclusively scientific
agreed to gather knowledge for public good rather than specific interests
what was the impact of the Royal Society?
1665: created the scientific journal ‘Philosophical Transactions’ to share information
triggered creation of other groups
- 1666: French Royal Academy of Sciences
early 1700s - science part of public consciousness and greatly supported by Charles II
contributed to overall aims of the Enlightenment
relationship between the Royal Society and magic
critical investigation significantly undermines belief in witchcraft and magic
early members were interested in astrology and alchemy (e.g Newton)
how did Thomas Hobbes change Bacon’s ideas?
believed Bacon’s inductive method was inadequate
concluded that deductive reasoning was the right approach
- used deductive reasoning to defend the notion politicians are corrupt, not the system, as men are born flawed
what did Hobbes publish?
1651: ‘Leviathan’
- advocated a strong government led by single leader (reaction to Civil War and its outcome)
what was Hobbes’ relationship to magic?
Hobbes was a materialist, meaning he believed everything is created by matter and observed events are the result of matter acting on matter
- did not believe in the supernatural or magic as they weren’t founded on matter
highly influential - his materialism is thought to have been important to the decline in belief in witchcraft and magic
he claimed possession was the result of madness or epilepsy
what did John Locke publish?
‘Essay Concerning Human Understanding’ (1690)
what was Locke’s ‘Essay Concerning Human Understanding’ (1690)?
detailed interpretation of the workings of the mind
concluded that experience is the most important source of human knowledge as humans are born without knowledge
what was the impact of Locke’s ‘Essay’?
his ideas were highly influential
seen as the father of modern empiricism - sought to make conclusions through experience of observing the experiences of others
what was the significance of Locke’s ‘Essay’ for magic and witchcraft?
as a materialist, he made no allowances for the supernatural
didn’t deny the existence of spiritis
- their existence is based on personal perceptions so can never be proved
he had some belief in astrology
did belief in magic and witchcraft decline with the advancement of science and reason?
breakthroughs in understanding the universe explained mater than had previously been associated with the supernatural
materialism did not allow for the existence of the supernatural
however, many key figures still held a belief in magic
