Science and power in the political philosophy of F. Bacon: From reformism towards social criticism

Abstract

Introduction. The paper gives the analysis of the development of Bacon’s views on the problem of the interrelations between science and the state power. Theoretical analysis. The initial period of this development was linked to Bacon’s attempts of obtaining privileged position in the court circles during Elizabethan reign. In his treatises and speeches of 1580-90s Bacon started a propagandist campaign for the reform of science: in order to create the most effective tool of increasing its power and glory the crown had to realize the futility of scholasticism and the fraud of alchemical enterprises and to support the efforts of the researchers in improving technologies and discovering the laws of nature. This instrumentalist perspective however gained little support in governmental circles, first of all because of Bacon's sharp criticism of alchemical projects in which the most influential court men were engaged. The next stage of the development of Bacon's ideas started in early 1600s. In his treatises Bacon combined his attacks on alchemy etc. with an ethical & theological doctrine of the values of scientific research. During his spectacular career at Jacobean court Bacon exposed his doctrine to self-censure in order not to offend the monarch whose patronage he had successfully gained. However during his retirement he began a further work at this doctrine and made it the basis for his utopian novel, “The New Atlantis”. Conclusion. Baconian views on the interrelations between science and political power were shaped by his philosophical development as well as by his political experience that led his theories from administrative reformism to ethical analysis and further – to social criticism and utopianism.