The topics transformed : Rethinking Francis Bacon’s prerogative instances

Journal article


Sharpe, Matthew. (2018). The topics transformed : Rethinking Francis Bacon’s prerogative instances. Journal of the History of Philosophy. 56(3), pp. 429-454. https://doi.org/10.1353/hph.2018.0046
AuthorsSharpe, Matthew
Abstract

This paper critically examines Stephen Gaukroger's claim that "The list of prerogative or privileged instances [in Bacon's Novum Organum II] … serve very much the function of the topics, as conceived by Aristotle … and by his Renaissance followers as rhetorical guide." Gaukroger's comparison of the prerogatives with the topics provides a basis for an inclusive account of the twenty-seven prerogative instances, including those clearly intended by Bacon as preparatory devices for retraining the mind. Reading the prerogatives backwards in light of the topics, rather than forwards in light of subsequent scientific practices, also allows us to see how different the prerogative instances are, as a "post-topical" discipline of observation of natural phenomena, from their rhetorical forbearers, allowing us to measure accurately the extent of Bacon's innovation in the theorization of discovery.

KeywordsBacon; prerogative instances; topics; rhetoric; Novum Organum; history of ideas
Year2018
JournalJournal of the History of Philosophy
Journal citation56 (3), pp. 429-454
PublisherJohns Hopkins University Press
ISSN0022-5053
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1353/hph.2018.0046
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85049904334
Page range429-454
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All rights reserved
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Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online10 Jul 2018
Publication process dates
Deposited09 Nov 2023
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