ABSTRACT
The scientific kinship of Francis Bacon and E. O. Wilson extends beyond their interest in founding new sciences. Wilson's project of consilience derives the modern enterprise of science from Bacon's innovation, especially Bacon's rejection of intellectual idolatries and his embrace of empiricism, methodical experimentation, and scientific collaboration. Bacon frequently expresses his opposition to the old natural philosophies with an eloquent, polemical energy. Bacon frequently expresses his opposition to the old natural philosophies with an eloquent, polemical energy. His well-known doctrine of The Four Idols ingeniously associates the false ideas of the old non-progressive sciences with the aberrations of heretical religion. It is important to dwell upon the explicit doctrine of the new learning: Bacon's contention that "Natural Magic" will be rehabilitated. The new learning's wisdom and prudence are supposed to act much like formative ideas upon the old natural magic: they will draw it toward a better version of itself.
