1. Unit 2
Francis Bacon

2. 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

3. Francis Bacon
1561 –1626
English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the scientific method

4. Author of (among other things) THE ESSAYS

5. THE ESSAYS include topics on:
Love
Unity in Religion
Boldness
Revenge
Envy
Death
SIMULATION AND DISSIMULATION
Adversity
Marriage and Single Life
Great Place
Parents and Children

6. Textual Understanding
According to Bacon, What are the advantages and disadvantages of marriage?
What is the main idea of “Of Studies”?

7. the advantages and disadvantages of marriage
“Obstacles to great causes”
“bills of charges”
“Bonds to freedom”
For personal benefits
For public service

8. Of Studies: Main points
the benefits and effects of studies
studies are balanced by experience
diverse studies may help counteract personal imperfections.

9. 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?

10. 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?

11. Discussion
Find evidence of Bacon’s utilitarianism from the subject/purpose/tone/style of his writing.

12. Utilitarianism subject: Purpose: Tone: cold, calculating, shrewd
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

13. Bacon’s style short and sharp statements: aphorism
contraction and expansion of ideas
images from daily life
use of Latin and Greek expressions

14. 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.”

15. Presentations Quiz Robinson Crusoe Gulliver’s travels Pp35-51
序言“17世纪文学”“启蒙时期文学”