ABSTRACT
Let's begin at the beginning. Science as we know it, science as an organized activity with recognised social implications, started early in the seventeenth century; its beginnings were seen with remarkable prescience by Francis Bacon (1561-1626) who was an important laywer - Lord Keeper of the Seal, Lord Chancellor - a fine and indeed the first essayist, expounder of educational doctrine, defender of learning, above all founder of modem scientific method. In The Great Instauration (of which New Organon (Novum Organum) was separately published and is the best-known part) he set out to change society by means of inductive sciences. In science he foresaw immense power for human good. Bacon was distressed by the limitations of the science of his time (Novum Organum (1620) Aphorism V):
The study of nature with a view to works is engaged in by the mechanic, the physician, the alchemist, and the magician; but by all (as things now are) with slight endeavour and scanty success.
