Francis Bacon’s Elenchus

Since the interpretation of Francis Bacon’s method is new, it will need to be supported by his text. This chapter combines his entire method with key quotations from his writings. We begin with his rescue of secular thought in a religious environment. We note his recruitment of Socratic cross-examination of evidence. We review his idea of pursuing truth up the pyramid of knowledge. Like Plato’s Academy, science will remain actively fallible. At every stage, the point of gaining power over nature is for Christian charity. In this chapter, we will find the only explanation of the technological benefit of modern science in Francis Bacon’s notions. This chapter reflects themes from the rest of the book so we can appreciate how they fit together as a cohesive whole.