Questions for Francis Bacon

The Great Instauration

             PROEM

                         What is the purpose of this work?

                         Why is he publishing at bit at time?

             Dedication

                         How does Bacon's dedication compare to Machiavelli's

                         What is his request?

             Preface

                         What are the problems with the current state of knowledge?

                         What has not been written up?

                         What do the demands of popularity do to science?

                         What are his criticisms of current scientists?    

                        What is needed before science can advance?

                         What will Bacon not attempt to do?

                         What is the essence of his prayer?

                         What are his three admonitions?

             The Plan of the Great Instauration

                         Bacon lays out 6 parts. What will be the contents of each

                         and what is his justification for each part?

The New Atlantis

Let's discuss this first as a work of literature: who are the key characters, what is the plot, what message is being conveyed?

Next let's consider this as an example of an Utopia project. Apply the same questions that you will use in your own utopia paper:

What is the key political issue/problem your utopia is designed to draw our attention to or to solve?

How does it do this?

How would your utopia come about?

What are the primary political institutions of your utopian society?

What are the major concepts in western political philosophy that underlie your utopia?

How is political power allocated in your utopia?

What is the relationship between political institutions and other social features (e.g. the economy, the family, the educational system, cultural traditions, etc)?

What are the primary moral values found in the politics of your utopian society?

In what ways is politics important in your society?