Unit 2
Francis Bacon
Learning Objectives


Bacon’s major work（s）
“Of Marriage and Single Life” “Of Studies”
 Main
idea
 Bacon’s values as reflected in the two texts
 Stylistic features
Francis Bacon
1561 –1626
English philosopher, statesman, scientist,
lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the
scientific method
Author of
(among other things)
THE
ESSAYS
THE ESSAYS include topics on:
Love
Unity in Religion
Revenge
Boldness
Envy
Death
SIMULATION AND DISSIMULATION
Adversity
Marriage and Single Life
Great Place
Parents and Children
Textual Understanding
• According to Bacon, What are the
advantages and disadvantages of
marriage?
• What is the main idea of “Of Studies”?
the advantages and disadvantages of marriage
Disadvantages



“Obstacles to great
causes”
“bills of charges”
“Bonds to freedom”
Advantages


For personal benefits
For public service
Of Studies: Main points



the benefits and effects of studies
studies are balanced by experience
diverse studies may help counteract personal
imperfections.
Discussion questions


In what ways are Bacon’s essays related to the
ideas of Renaissance?
What are Bacon’s values towards human and
society as reflected in the two essays?
Utilitarianism(实用主义、功利主
义）



Utilitarianism is a theory holding that the proper
course of action is the one that maximizes utility,
specifically defined as maximizing happiness and
reducing suffering.
The most famous exponents of utilitarianism were
Jeremy Bentham（边沁） and J. S. Mill（密尔）.
What might be some of the shortcomings of such a
philosophy?
Discussion

Find evidence of Bacon’s utilitarianism from the
subject/purpose/tone/style of his writing.
Utilitarianism

subject:
 Choice
of writing subject: universal needs of people
 Treatment of writing subject: considering them as things
that can bring practical benefits

Purpose:
 to
educate (young) people(didacticism)
 To show people “practical wisdom” on
 Leading
a successful life
 Improving oneself


Tone: cold, calculating, shrewd
Style: terse, aphoristic, straightforward
Bacon’s style




short and sharp statements: aphorism
contraction and expansion of ideas
images from daily life
use of Latin and Greek expressions
Aphorism

An aphoristic style means a compact, condensed
and epigrammatic style of writing.
 “Wives
are young men’s mistresses, companions for
middle age, and old men’s nurses”
 “Crafty men condemn studies; simple men admire them;
and wise men use them.”
 “Some books are to be tasted, others to be
swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.”
 “Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man;
and writing an exact man.”

Presentations
 Robinson
Crusoe
 Gulliver’s travels

Quiz
 Pp35-51
 序言“17世纪文学”“启蒙时期文学”