Francis Bacon and the Art–Nature Distinction

摘要: Commentators generally expound Bacon's position on the art-nature relationship in terms of how much it retained or departed from traditional conceptions. This paper argues that an appreciation Baconian meaning "art" and "nature" requires a close examination his wider cosmogonical speculations. account moves state unbridled chaos to relatively stable system for which term is normally used. The fundamental principle lying at heart cosmogony enriched appetitive matter: eternal, unchanging, plenipotentiary source all things. Successive limitations matter's absolute power produced lazy habitual nature, Bacon labelled "nature free." To shift nature this otiose condition, operator recapitulates original binding matter. designated systematic procedures science magic. Magic human counterpart process gave rise current nature. In cosmogony, possible worlds unfold out function art shake nature's hidden folds. Hence, distinction between naturalia artificialia maps actual potential. Nature free without purpose, but - bound knowingly brings into being alternative designed utility.