| − | '''Roger Bacon''' (Doctor Mirabilis) (Ilchester, ca. 1220 - Oxford, 1292) was a great English [[friar]] and [[philosopher]] who wrote an [[encyclopedia]], his ''Opus Majus''. He is hailed by many the father of modern [[science]]. His focus on [[empirical]] approaches to science was influential. Among other things, he wrote about [[mathematics]], [[alchemy]], the positions and sizes of celestial bodies, envisioned the possibility of spectacles, [[microscope]]s, [[telescope]]s, flying machines, steam ships and explosives, recognized the [[visible spectrum]] in a glass of water centuries before [[Isaac Newton]] worked on optics, and observed [[solar eclipse]]s through a camera obscura. Bacon made his higher studies at Oxford and Paris, | + | '''Roger Bacon''' (Doctor Mirabilis) (Ilchester, ca. 1220 - Oxford, 1292) was a great English [[friar]] and [[philosopher]] who wrote an [[encyclopedia]], his ''Opus Majus''. He is hailed by many the father of modern [[science]]. His focus on [[empirical]] approaches to science was influential. Among other things, he wrote about [[mathematics]], [[alchemy]], the positions and sizes of celestial bodies, envisioned the possibility of spectacles, [[microscope]]s, [[telescope]]s, flying machines, steam ships and explosives, recognized the visible spectrum in a glass of water centuries before [[Isaac Newton]] worked on optics, and observed [[solar eclipse]]s through a camera obscura. Bacon made his higher studies at Oxford and Paris, |
| | Bacon urged the reform of theological study, emphasizing the study of the [[Bible]] in its original source languages and decrying the corruption of scriptural texts and the works of [[Greek philosophers]] by mistranslations and misunderstandings. He urged [[theologians]] to study the sciences and add them to the [[university]] curriculum. He rejected the blind following of prior authorities, both in theological and scientific study. ''If we now examine Bacon's scientific systems and leading principles, his aims and his hobby, so to say, we find that the burden not only of the writings sent to the pope'' (Pope Clement the Fifth, in 1267)'', but also of all his writings was: ecclesiastical study must be reformed.'' [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13111b.htm] | | Bacon urged the reform of theological study, emphasizing the study of the [[Bible]] in its original source languages and decrying the corruption of scriptural texts and the works of [[Greek philosophers]] by mistranslations and misunderstandings. He urged [[theologians]] to study the sciences and add them to the [[university]] curriculum. He rejected the blind following of prior authorities, both in theological and scientific study. ''If we now examine Bacon's scientific systems and leading principles, his aims and his hobby, so to say, we find that the burden not only of the writings sent to the pope'' (Pope Clement the Fifth, in 1267)'', but also of all his writings was: ecclesiastical study must be reformed.'' [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13111b.htm] |