The Very Idea of Modern Science: Francis Bacon and Robert Boyle (Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science Book 298)

This book is a study of the scientific revolution as a movement of amateur science. It describes the ideology of the amateur scientific societies as the philosophy of the Enlightenment Movement and their social structure and the way they made modern science such a magnificent institution. It also shows what was missing in the scientific organization of science and why it gave way to professional science in stages. In particular the book studies the contributions of Sir Francis Bacon and of the Hon. Robert Boyle to the rise of modern science. The philosophy of induction is notoriously problematic, yet its great asset is that it expressed the view of the Enlightenment Movement about science. This explains the ambivalence that we still exhibit towards Sir Francis Bacon whose radicalism and vision of pure and applied science stilla major aspect of the fabric of society. Finally, the book discusses Boyle's philosophy, his agreement with and dissent from Bacon and the way he single-handedly trained a crowd of poorly educated English aristocrats and rendered them into an army of able amateur researchers? Read more... Abstract: This book explores the scientific revolution as a movement of amateur science, describing the ideology of the amateur scientific societies, their social structure and the ways they helped to make modern science such a magnificent institution. Read more... This Book Is A Study Of The Scientific Revolution As A Movement Of Amateur Science. It Describes The Ideology Of The Amateur Scientific Societies As The Philosophy Of The Enlightenment Movement And Their Social Structure And The Way They Made Modern Science Such A Magnificent Institution. It Also Shows What Was Missing In The Scientific Organization Of Science And Why It Gave Way To Professional Science In Stages. In Particular The Book Studies The Contributions Of Sir Francis Bacon And Of The Hon. Robert Boyle To The Rise Of Modern Science. The Philosophy Of Induction Is Notoriously Problematic, Yet Its Great Asset Is That It Expressed The View Of The Enlightenment Movement About Science--abstract-- The Riddle Of Bacon -- Bacon's Philosophy Of Discovery -- Ellis' Major Difficulty -- The Function Of The Doctrine Of Prejudice -- Bacon On The Origin Of Error And Prejudice -- Prejudices Of The Senses -- Prejudices Of Opinions -- Bacon's Influence -- Conclusion: The Rise Of The Riddle Of Bacon -- Philosophical Background -- The Social Background Of Classical Science -- The Missing Link Between Bacon And The Royal Society -- Boyle In The Eyes Of Posterity -- The Inductive Style -- Mechanism -- The New Doctrine Of Prejudice. Joseph Agassi. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 296-307) And Name Index. This book is a study of the scientific revolution as a movement of amateur science. It describes the ideology of the amateur scientific societies as the philosophy of the Enlightenment Movement and their social structure and the way they made modern science such a magnificent institution. It also shows what was missing in the scientific organization of science and why it gave way to professional science in stages. In particular the book studies the contributions of Sir Francis Bacon and of the Hon. Robert Boyle to the rise of modern science. The philosophy of induction is notoriously problematic, yet its great asset is that it expressed the view of the Enlightenment Movement about science. This explains the ambivalence that we still exhibit towards Sir Francis Bacon whose radicalism and vision of pure and applied science still a major aspect of the fabric of society. Finally, the book discusses Boyle’s philosophy, his agreement with and dissent from Bacon and the way he single-handedly trained a crowd of poorly educated English aristocrats and rendered them into an army of able amateur researchers. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Riddle of Bacon....Pages 3-13 Bacon’s Philosophy of Discovery....Pages 15-33 Ellis’ Major Difficulty....Pages 35-38 The Function of the Doctrine of Prejudice....Pages 39-47 Bacon on the Origin of Error and Prejudice....Pages 49-56 Prejudices of the Senses....Pages 57-80 Prejudices of Opinions....Pages 81-108 Bacon’s Influence....Pages 109-120 Conclusion: The Rise of the Riddle of Bacon....Pages 121-124 Front Matter....Pages 125-130 Philosophical Background....Pages 131-137 The Social Background of Classical Science....Pages 139-155 The Missing Link Between Bacon and the Royal Society....Pages 157-166 Boyle in the Eyes of Posterity....Pages 167-178 The Inductive Style....Pages 179-224 Mechanism....Pages 225-248 The New Doctrine of Prejudice....Pages 249-264 Back Matter....Pages 265-315 This book is a study of the scientific revolution as a movement of amateur science. It describes the ideology of the amateur scientific societies as the philosophy of the Enlightenment Movement and their social structure and the way they made modern science such a magnificent institution. It also shows what was missing in the scientific organization of science and why it gave way to professional science in stages. In particular the book studies the contributions of Sir Francis Bacon and of the Hon. Robert Boyle to the rise of modern science. The philosophy of induction is notoriously problematic, yet its great asset is that it expressed the view of the Enlightenment Movement about science. -- Source other than Library of Congress The Very Idea of Modern Science 4 Abstract 10 Preface 12 Acknowledgement 14 Contents 16 Part I: Bacons Doctrine of Prejudice (A Study in a Renaissance Religion) 20 Part II: The Religion of Inductivism as a Living Force 140 Appendices 278 Name Index 321