1. Francis Bacon

2. Francis Bacon English Philosopher Writer
Founder of modern empirical tradition
A consummate artist of Renaissance spirit.
Knows expanse of knowledge and studies.

3. Essays Bacon is most famous for his Essays.
Of Studies is his first essay of the first collection of ten Essays published in 1597.
It was revised in 1612.
Among all his essays ‘Of Studies’ is the most representative of Bacon.

4. Of Studies
Bacon’s main focus in Of Studies is on the importance of study and knowledge and he discusses
its importance in terms of its practical application towards the individual and society.

5. Different approaches/purposes of Studies
The activity of Studying involves different approaches and purposes which may be –
- For delight,
- For ornament,
- For ability

6. Virtues and Vices of Study
Bacon mentions
the virtues of Study, and also
its vices
“To spend too much time in study is sloth…”

7. Of Studies is Typical Baconian essay
Bacon’s Characteristic features -
astonishing terseness
freshness of illustrations
logical analysis
highly Latinized vocabulary
worldly wisdom and
Renaissance enlightenment.

8. In Of Studies, Bacon ….. …..advocates a scientific enquiry of studies.
….. compares human mind to a growing plant which need to be pruned and watered by studies.
…… but he asserts, it is experience which matures our perception and leads to perfection and studies ‘perfect nature, and are perfected by experience’.  
…. Argues that study should be applied to ‘weigh and consider’ rather than useless contradictions and grandiloquence.

9. Classification of Study Subjects
Bacon makes systematic classifications of studies
-“Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend”. 
Studies do not shape a perfect man without the needed conference and writing.

10. Analysis of Purpose of Studies
Bacon proposes that study may be done for three purposes: for one’s own entertainment, such as reading book on a favorite author, to impress others and bring attention to oneself,

11. Purposes of Study
Different individuals with different mental abilities and interests, approach the idea of studying differently. –
“Crafty men contemn studies…”- and offers advice on how study should be applied: –“…but to weight and consider”-

12. Categories of Books
Books, can be categorized according to content and value to the individual.
The benefits of studying are Bacon’s final approach.
Benefits in terms of defining a “Man” by his ability to read, write or confer, and in terms of being the medicine for any “impediment in the wit” and by giving “receipts” to “every defect of the mind”.

13. how to read him today? And why
Values and concepts in Bacon’s age, were different from today.
But today we value the specialization of knowledge which in the past, was characterized by a more generic and limited access to knowledge

14. Then and Now
Then
Now
Society started to understand the importance of literacy. Only a few were educated. Only a few had access to knowledge, status and opportunity.
Today, a skilled worker can be an educated person. Most people can obtain knowledge but Study is yet to be a popular pursuit.

15. Of Studies…… …….contains all the techniques of Bacon’s essay writing
and his world vision
It is full of wisdom, teachings and didacticism.
The essay has epigrammatic proverbial form, of style
Plus, balance and force.

16. Questions
Summarise the main points dealt by Bacon in his essay, ‘Of Studies’.
What are the basic features of Bacon’s writing as reflected in ‘Of Studies’?
Bacon is representative of Renaissance. – How?
Explain the selected passages and features of Baconian style.

17. Thank you ! Dr. Kavita Arya . Deptt of English, MGKVidyapeeth
Varanasi.