Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-07-30
n4non ann-rnroArroN.
a Popular Dslaaion About sHls

Greatness as a Scientist.
In a communication ~. M says The
interest the Public ledger always takes in
matters Of education led it TO publish in
the issue Of last Friday list Of the ques-
tions asked the candidates Tor supervising
principals certificates. Among the ques-
tions asked was the following How did
the inductiye philosophy Of Bacon modify
the nature and scope Of education ~
How surprising II is, Mr., Editor, that
the popular deusicn TINT Bacon was the
author OF the inductiyc method of inquiry
should so long exist. Green, in his his
tory Of the English people, speaking OF
Bacon, says ',Ine art oil investigating
ON which he prided himself has proved
ussless for scientific purposes and would
be rejected by modern investigators.
When he Bacon) was ON more correct
track he WAS nos original. Not only in
decd did Bacon i4.i % anticipate the
method of modern science, but he even
rejected the grnt scientific discoveries OF
his own day. lie set aside with the same
scorn the astronomical theory of Copper
nicus and the magnetic Investigations OF
Gilbert.p The contempt seems to have
been fully returned by the scientific
workers OF his day. ',rhe Lord Chan
eellor wrote ON science, said Harvey, the
discoyerer OF the circulation of the blood,
like a Lord Chancellor"
1T may be doubted,n says Dugald
Stewart, whether any one important rule
with regard to the true method of inves.
tigation be contained in Bacm's works Of
which no hint can be traced in those Of
his predecessors. l shall quote only ont
other, and that is the great authority Of
DIR. Draper, who did more for the cause
of science and sound philosophy thar
any other man in America. Says Draper
ITO ascribe the inductive method K
Bacon is to ignore history. The princi
pies of what is called the Baconian phi
losophy were not only understood, Blu
carried into practice 1880 years befor
Bacon was born. The more closely W
examine his writings the more unworth,
does he seem to have been of the grea
reputation which has been awarded b
him. The popular delusion to which h
owes SO much originated at time whel
the history of science was unknown
They who first brought him into motto
knew nothing of fife old school of AleA
andria. This boosted founder Of q nel
philosophy could not comprehend an
would not accept the greatest of al
scientific doctrines, when it was plainl
set before his eyes. Bacon never pre-
duced any practical results himself, an
no great scientist has ever made my us
of his method. Few scientific pretender
have made more mistakes than Lor
Bacon. He rejected the Copernica
system, and with the Mdacity c
ignorance he presumed to criticise wins
he did not understand, and spoke insC
lently of its great author. He criticise
adversely Gilbert's treatise on magnetisl
and Haryey's discovery of the circulatio
of the blood. He was doubtful whetht
instruments We're of any advantage Will
Galileo was investigating the heaven
with his telescope. Ignorant himself {
every branch of mathematics he presume
that they We're useless in science, but
few years before Newton achieved b
their aid his Immortal discoveries. 1t
time that the sacred name of philosopl
should be severed from its long csnnactio
with that of one who was IL pretender
science, Il time-serving politician, an il
sidious lawyer, corrupt judge, treacl
erous friend and a bad man..
If an answer to the above question WI
given it would be curious to know what
was We would propose tho following
The nature and scope of educate
would have been just as it is had Bact
never lived