Modern Philosophy (beginning roughly in the 17th century) represents a shift away from the Scholasticism of the Middle Ages. Its primary features include:
Bacon is often called the "Father of Experimental Philosophy." He sought to replace the abstract logic of Aristotle with a method that would allow humans to master nature.
Bacon advocated for Induction—gathering specific observations and moving toward general laws—over Deduction (starting with a general premise).
Bacon identified four prejudices or "Idols" that distort human understanding:
Descartes is the founder of Modern Rationalism. He aimed to find a foundation for knowledge that was as certain as geometry.
To reach certainty, Descartes decided to doubt everything that could possibly be doubted (the senses, the external world, even mathematics) until he found something indubitable.
Descartes discovered that he could doubt everything except the fact that he was doubting. Doubting is a form of thinking, and thinking requires a thinker. This led to his famous first principle:
"I think, therefore I am" (Cogito Ergo Sum)
Descartes established that whatever the mind perceives clearly and distinctly must be true. This became his yardstick for all further knowledge, including his proofs for the existence of God and the external world.
Q: What is the main difference between Bacon and Descartes?
A: Bacon emphasized Empiricism (knowledge through sensory experience and induction), while Descartes emphasized Rationalism (knowledge through reason and deduction).
Q: Why is Descartes called the 'Father of Modern Philosophy'?
A: Because he centered philosophy on the Subject (the "I" or the self) rather than the external world or God, setting the agenda for all future modern thinkers.
In your answers, remember that for Bacon, "Knowledge is Power." He believed the goal of philosophy was the practical benefit of humanity through the control of nature.