Bacon, Simplified

Francis Bacon, Novum Organum, Simplified


1. Man, being the servant and interpreter of Nature, can do and understand so much and so much only as he has observed in fact or in thought of the course of nature; beyond this he neither knows anything nor can do anything.

No one can understand or do anything about anything s/he has never seen before.


19. There are and can be only two ways of searching into and discovering truth. The one flies from the senses and particulars to the most general axioms, and from these principles, the truth of which it takes for settled and immovable, proceeds to judgment and to the discovery of middle axioms. And this way is now in fashion. The other derives axioms from the senses and particulars, rising by a gradual and unbroken ascent, so that it arrives at the most general axioms last of all. This is the true way, but as yet untried.

There are two ways to answer a question. One is to look at the proof, and make a leap of logic. This is what is common [in Bacon's time]. The other is to use the proof and examine that proof for answers, like the scientific method. This method would work, if people used it.


22. Both ways set out from the senses and particulars, and rest in the highest generalities; but the difference between them is infinite. For the one just glances at experiment and particulars in passing, the other dwells duly and orderly among them. The one, again, begins at once by establishing certain abstract and useless generalities, the other rises by gradual steps to that which is prior and better known in the order of nature.

Both ways [of answering a question] are similar in the fact that one starts off with 'proof', but nothing else relates the two. One barely glances at the proof, while the other uses the proof to puzzle out the answer. The first method remarks on a series of useless facts, while the other is a step-by-step process.


31. It is idle to expect any great advancement in science from the superinducing and engraving of new things upon old. We must begin anew from the very foundations, unless we would revolve for ever in a circle with mean and contemptible progress.

It is lazy to expect different results when repeating the same things in a new dress. If we ever want to get anywhere, we need to start from the basics.


36. One method of delivery alone remains to us; which is simply this: We must lead men to the particulars themselves, and their series and order; while men on their side must force themselves for awhile to lay their notions by and begin to familiarise themselves with facts.

We [the scientific community] can only present our findings in one way: we have to show people the proof, what was discovered from that proof, and how; the people themselves must make themselves listen. We can not force anyone to learn.

To read more of Bacon's Novum Organum, click here.