Francis Bacon was one of England’s most famous figures and is referred to as the father of the scientific method. Despite Bacon’s stalwart approach to empirical science, however, his work is surrounded by other elements –rumors of connections to the Rosicrucians, the hidden world of the occult, and other conspiracies. Was Francis Bacon influenced by mystical and spiritual elements as well as emerging scientific ideas?
Author Daniel Branco offers a compelling hypothesis that provides detailed explanations of Bacon’s inspiration from esoteric, religious, philosophical, and spiritual sources, framing them within the narrative of Bacon’s view of science and social issues of his era.
Branco provides a perfectly balanced explanation of Francis Bacon’s thoughts, encapsulating his entire works and world-view in a succinct and deeply profound manner, which explains Bacon’s contribution to the world of science. The book also examines his spiritual life and how Bacon integrated it with the esotericism of the Renaissance and the Christian society of his time.
Branco examines not only Bacon’s connections to the Rosicrucians, but also those of Hermeticism, Neo-Platonism, Hebrew texts, and the many different fractions of Christianity which were contemporaneous with Bacon. Branco presents an image of Francis Bacon, which reveals not only a scientific and philosophical genius but also a spiritual man who sought to reconcile scientific advancement with spiritual growth, identity, and tradition.
The Mystical Foundations of Francis Bacon’s Science is not only of value to those interested in the history of Francis Bacon, science, philosophy, or the occult. It is also important to the modern world, in which people often struggle to reconcile the empirical methodology of science with the intangible nature of the spiritual. As such, Bacon is a figure who can help the reader bridge the great schism of our times, where science and religion are portrayed as incompatible word-views.
The Mystical Foundations of Francis Bacon’s Science is a book for those interested in the past and intrigued by the future.
