The Cambridge Companion to Bacon

Francis Bacon (1561–1626) is one of the most important figures of the early modern era. His plan for scientific reform played a central role in the birth of the new science. The essays in this volume offer a comprehensive survey of his writings on science, including his classifications of sciences, his theory of knowledge and of forms, his speculative philosophy, his idea of cooperative scientific research and the providential aspects of Baconian science. There are also essays on Bacon’s theory of rhetoric and history as well as on his moral and political philosophy and on his legacy. Throughout, the contributors aim to place Bacon in his historical context.

• Systematic • Comprehensive • Accessible • Very little serious philosophical literature on Bacon, so this volume fills a real gap

Introduction Markku Peltonen; 1. Bacon’s idea of science Paolo Rossi; 2. Bacon’s classification of knowledge Sachiko Kusukawa; 3. Bacon’s method of science Michel Malherbe; 4. Bacon’s forms and the maker’s knowledge tradition Antonio Pérez-Ramos; 5. Bacon’s speculative philosophy Graham Rees; 6. Bacon as an advocate for a cooperative scientific research Rose-Mary Sargent; 7. Bacon’s science and religion John C. Briggs; 8. Bacon and rhetoric Brian Vickers; 9. Bacon and history John F. Tinkler; 10. Bacon’s moral philosophy Ian Box; 11. Bacon’s political philosophy Markku Peltonen; 12. Bacon’s legacy Antonio Pérez-Ramos.