New Atlantis by Francis Bacon [PDF]
by InfoBooks
Francis Bacon wrote New Atlantis near the end of his life, and it was published a year after his death in 1626. This brief utopian tale laid the philosophical groundwork for organized scientific research as we know it. Though unfinished, the text carries a completeness of vision that continues to resonate with readers nearly four centuries later.
The island of Bensalem operates under principles that were radical for Bacon's time: the systematic study of nature, collaborative experimentation, and the practical application of discoveries. Salomon's House stands as literature's earliest blueprint for a modern research university. Its Fellows conduct experiments in caves, towers, lakes, and gardens, each dedicated to a different branch of inquiry.
Bacon contrasts European society with Bensalem's calm rationality, offering a quiet critique of the superstition and disorder of his own era. The text also explores themes of hospitality, cultural exchange, and the moral responsibilities that come with advanced knowledge. It is a work that rewards careful reading, revealing new layers with each visit.
New Atlantis by Francis Bacon
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Information: New Atlantis
- Author: Francis Bacon
- Publication Date: 1626
- Main Characters:
- The Narrator: An unnamed European sailor, likely the captain of the ship, who recounts the crew's discovery of Bensalem and serves as the reader's guide through this unfamiliar society.
- The Governor of the Strangers' House: A Christian priest and official who first receives the sailors, explains the island's laws of hospitality, and shares the history of Bensalem's conversion to Christianity.
- Joabin: A Jewish merchant living on Bensalem who becomes a friend to the narrator and describes the island's family customs, moral values, and the ceremonial Feast of the Family.
- The Father of Salomon's House: A revered elder and senior Fellow of the research institution who reveals the full scope of Salomon's House, including its laboratories, experiments, and organizational structure.
- Brief Summary: New Atlantis tells the story of sailors who stumble upon Bensalem, a secretive island civilization in the Pacific. The inhabitants welcome them with generosity and gradually reveal the workings of their society. Central to everything is Salomon's House, an institution where Fellows pursue knowledge across every field of natural science. The narrative unfolds through conversations between the sailors and key Bensalem figures who explain the island's history, customs, and scientific achievements.
- Thematic Analysis: The central theme of New Atlantis is the power of organized science to improve human life. Bacon also explores the tension between openness and secrecy, as Bensalem deliberately hides itself from the outside world while sending agents abroad to gather knowledge. The work raises questions about how societies should govern the pursuit and distribution of knowledge.
- Historical Context: Written in the early 17th century, New Atlantis emerged during the Scientific Revolution, when thinkers were beginning to challenge ancient authorities and embrace empirical observation. Bacon himself was a leading advocate for what he called the "Great Instauration," a total reform of human learning. His vision in New Atlantis directly influenced the founding of the Royal Society of London in 1660.