Bacon & "True Axioms": Aphorism 4

This passage seems to further support the idea raised in class discussions of Bacon’s ideas of the relation between philosophy and utility. He again raises the point of philosophical ideas unrelated to the practical as “pernicious and inveterate habit(s) of dwelling on abstractions.” Beyond this, he discusses how exactly one would go about establishing some sort of axiom that a common man could use. He says that for something to be a “true and perfect rule of operation,” it will be “…certain, free, and disposing or leading to action.” He also finally suggests his own method or organon rather than continually criticizing ancient philosophy. Not only this, he seems to relate his idea of what a “true and perfect rule” is to an ancient idea in that of the Form (“and this is the same thing with the discovery of the true Form”). It’s interesting to me that he uses the language here that I would have expected him to continue to criticize since it would seem to be more related to theoretical philosophy rather than practical philosophy. Further, he says “For a true and perfect axiom of knowledge, then, the direction and precept will be, that another nature be discovered which is convertible within the given nature, and yet is a limitation of a more general nature, as of a true and real genus.” I think the key term in this sentence is “within” – that is, for the new “nature” or “Form” to be true, it must be directly related to the already existing “nature” in question. This would seem to be in line again with the idea that axioms should only be built around existing physical, “practical” natures.