Francis Bacon

Valerius Terminus Francis Bacon

In this work of 1603, an argument for the progress of knowledge, Bacon considers the moral, religious and philosophical implications and requirements of the advancement of learning and the development of science. Although not as well known as other works such as "Novum Organum" and "Advancement of Learning", this work's importance in Bacon's thought resides in the fact that it was the first of his scientific writings. He opens the book, in the proem, stating his belief that the man who succeed in "kindling a light in nature", would be "the benefactor indeed of the human race, the propagator of man's empire over the universe, the champion of liberty, the conqueror and subduer of necessities", and at the same time identifying himself as that man, saying he believed he "had been born for the service of mankind", and that in considering in what way mankind might best be served, he had found none so great as the discovery of new arts, endowments, and commodities for the bettering of man's life.