The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE WORK. 339
The logicians appear scarcely to have thought of induction capable of explaining and separating
seriously of induction, passing it over with some experiments, and coming to a certain conclusion
slight notice, and hurrying on to the formulae of by a proper series of rejections and exclusions.
dispute. But we reject the syllogistic demonstra- If, however, the common judgment of the logition, as being too confused, and letting nature cians has been so laborious, and has exercised
escape from our hands. For, although nobody such great wits, how much more must we labour
can doubt that those things which agree with the in this which is drawn not only from the recesses
middle term agree with each other, (which is a of the mind, but the very entrails of nature.
sort of mathematical certainty,) nevertheless, there Nor is this all, for we let down to a greater
is this source of error, namely, that a syllogism depth, and render more solid the very foundations
consists of propositions, propositions of words, of the sciences, and we take up the beginning of
and words are but the tokens and signs of things. our investigation from a higher part than men
If, therefore, the notions of the mind (which are have yet done, by subjecting those matters to
as it were the soul of words, and the basis of this examination which common logic receives upon
whole structure and fabric) are badly and hastily the credit of others. For the logicians borrow
abstracted from things, and vague, or not suffi- the principles of one science from another, in the
ciently defined and limited, or, in short, faulty next place they worship the first formed notions
(as they may be) in many other respects, the of their minds, and,lastly, they rest contented with
whole falls to the ground. We reject, therefore, the immediate information of the senses, if well
the syllogism, and that not only as regards first directed. But we have resolved that true logic
principles, (to which even the logicians do not ought to enter upon the several provinces of the
apply them,) but also in intermediate propositions, sciences with a greater command than is poswhich the syllogism certainly manages in some sessed by their first principles, and to force those
way or other to bring out and produce, but then supposed principles to an account of the grounds
they are barren of effects, unfit for practice, and upon which they are clearly determined. As far
clearly unsuited to the active branch of the as relates to the first notions of the understanding,
sciences. Although we would leave therefore to not any of the materials which the understanding,
the syllogism, and such celebrated and applauded when left to itself, has collected, is unsuspected
demonstrations, their jurisdiction over popular by us, nor will we confirm them unless they themand speculative arts, (for here we make no altera- selves be put upon their trial and be judged
tion,) yet, in every thing relating to the nature of accordingly. Again, we have many ways of siftthings, we make use of induction, both for our ing the information of the senses themselves: for
major and minor propositions. For we consider the senses assuredly deceive, though at the same
induction to be that form of demonstration which time they disclose their errors: the errors, howassists the senses, closes in upon nature, and ever, are close at hand, whilst their indication
presses on, and, as it were, mixes itself with must be sought at a greater distance.
action. There are two faults of the senses: they either
Hence also the order of demonstration is natu- desert or deceive us. For in the first place there
rally reversed. For at present the matter is so are many things which escape the senses,however
managed, that from the senses and particular well directed and unimpeded, owing either to the
objects they immediately fly to the greatest gene- subtilty of the whole body, or the minuteness of
ralities, as the axes round which their disputes its parts, or the distance of place, or the slowness
may revolve: all the rest is deduced from them or velocity of motion, or the familiarity of the
intermediately, by a short way we allow, but an object, or to other causes. Nor are the apprehenabrupt one, and impassable to nature, though easy sions of the senses very firm, when they grasp the
and well suited to dispute. But, by our method, subject; for the testimony and information of the
axioms are raised up in gradual succession, so that senses bears always a relation to man and not to
we only at last arrive at generalities. And that the universe, and it is altogether a great mistake
which is most generalized, is not merely national to assert that our senses are the measure of
hut well defined, and really acknowledged by things.
nature as well known to her, and cleaving to the To encounter these difficulties, we have everyvery pith of things. where sought and collected helps for the senses
By far our greatest work; however, lies in the with laborious and faithful service, in order to
form of induction and the judgment arising from supply defects and correct errors: and that not so
it. For the form of which thle logicians speak, much by means of instruments, as by experiwhich proceeds by bare enum!iationr, is puerile, ments. For experiments are much more delicate
and its conclusions precarib. is exposed to than the senses themselves, even when aided by
danger from one contrary exarihe, only consi- instruments, at least if they are skilfully and
ders what is habitual, and leads not to any final scientifically imagined and applied to the required
result. point.. We attribute but little, therefore, to the
The sciences, on the contrary, require a form immediate and proper perception of the senses,