Thus
the educational descent of the languages as they are found in
education to-day is not direct from the revival of learning, but
from its adaptation to theological ends.
(c) The natural sciences were themselves conceived in a way which
sharpened the opposition of man and nature. Francis Bacon
presents an almost perfect example of the union of naturalistic
and humanistic interest. Science, adopting the methods of
observation and experimentation, was to give up the attempt to
"anticipate" nature -- to impose preconceived notions upon her --
and was to become her humble interpreter. In obeying nature
intellectually, man would learn to command her practically.
"Knowledge is power." This aphorism meant that through science
man is to control nature and turn her energies to the execution
of his own ends. Bacon attacked the old learning and logic as
purely controversial, having to do with victory in argument, not
with discovery of the unknown. Through the new method of thought
which was set forth in his new logic an era of expansive
discoveries was to emerge, and these discoveries were to bear
fruit in inventions for the service of man. Men were to give up
their futile, never-finished effort to dominate one another to
engage in the cooperative task of dominating nature in the
interests of humanity.
In the main, Bacon prophesied the direction of subsequent
progress. But he "anticipated" the advance.
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