Development of Modern Realism

One of the important problems of classical

realism was “Its failure to

develop an adequate method

of inductive thinking.”

The two most outstanding realist

thinkers were…

Francis Bacon

John Locke

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon was not only a

philosopher but a politician in the courts of Elizabeth Land

James.

His record in philosophical development much more impressive.

Bacon’s philosophical task was ambitious. He claimed to take all knowledge as his

field of investigation.

Bacon attacked the Aristotelians for

contributing to the lethargic

development of science by their

adoption of theological method

of thought.The problem of theology was started with dogmatisms and a priori assumption and then deduced conclusions.

Science must be concerned with

inquiry pure and simple, inquiry not

burdened with preconceived notion.Bacon held that

science must begin in this fashion and

must develop reliable methods of

inquiry.

Bacon believed

“knowledge is power”

It was through the acquisition of knowledge.

He devised what he called the inductive

method.

Bacon thought Aristotelian yielded

many errors, particularly

concerning material phenomenaBacon’s inductive

approach, which asked that we

begin with observable

instances and then reason to

general statements or

laws.

Bacon urged that we reexamine all our previously accepted knowledge. We should attempt to rid our minds

of various idols before which we bow down and cloud our thinking.

The idol of

the Den

The idol of

the Tribe

The idol of the

Marketplace

The idol of

the Theatr

e

John Locke