RO G E R BA C O N

E S SAY S

C O NT RIBU T E D B Y V A RI O U S W R I T E RS

O N T HE O CCASIO N O F T HE C O M M EM O RA I IO N
' ‘

O F T HE SE V E NT H C E N T E NA RY O F HIS BIRT H

CO LLECT ED A ND ED IT ED

A . G . L IT T L E

O X FO R D
A T T H E C L A R E N D O N PR E S S

1 1
9 4
 Wi:
00

15 13 5 1 .

P REFA C E u m)
TH E C o mm e m o r a ti o n o f t h e Se ve n t h C e n t e n ary
Ro ge r B a c on s b i r t h w as u n de rt a ke n by an
’
of

E xe c u ti v e C o mm it t e e c o n s i s ti n g o f Si r A rc h i b al d ,

Ge i k i e O M
,
. t h e n P r e s i de n t o f th e Ro yal
.
‚

So c i e t y ( C h a i rm an ) Clo u d e s le y B re re t on Si r Wi l
, ‚

l i a m Cr o o k e s O M n o w P r e s i d e n t o f t h e Ro y al
,
. .
‚

Soc i e t y ,
F A Di x e y . P G i ls o n Si r G e o rge
.
,
.
,

G re e n h i ll A G Li t t le F Ma d an Si r W il l i am O s le r
,
. .
,
.
, ,

P ro fe sso r P o ul t o n Li e u t e n an t C olo n e l H i me ( Se c re
"
-
,

t ary ) Si r Alfre d B Ke mp e ( Tre asure r ) A G e n e ra l

,
. .

C o m mi t t e e c on s i s ti ng o f sub sc ri b e rs an d c o llab o r
,

a t o rs wa s f o r m e d u n d e r t h e p re si d e n c y o f t h e Ri gh t
,

H o n o u rable t h e E a r l Cu r z o n o f Ke dle s t o n Ch an c e llo r ,

o f t h e Un i v e rs i t y o f O x fo r d .

Th e p ro p o s al s o f t h e C o m mi t t e e we re ( I ) t o e re c t
a s t a t ue o f Ro e r B a c o n ( b
g y M r H 0 p e P i n k e r ) i n .

t h e Un i v e rsi t y Mu se u m ; ( )
2 t o i ss u e t h e p re s e n t
me mori al v o lume o f e ss ays ( 3) t o r a i s e a f u n d f o r

t h e p ub li c a t i o n o f Ro g e r B a c on s wo rks
’
.

As re ga rds th e l a s t o b je c t t h e h op e s o f th e Co m ,

m i t t e e h av e b e e n o n ly p ar ti ally re al i ze d A rran ge .

me n t s h av e b e e n m a d e fo r e d it i n g th e p se u do A ri s to -

t e li an S ecretum S ecretorum wit h B ac on s i n t ro duc ti o n ’

a n d c o mm e n t a r b R m di
’

y ( y o b e r t S t e e l e ) B a c o n s e c a l ,

t re a ti s e s ( by E W i t h i n gt o n a n d A G Lit t le ) an d
. . .
,

b b mm M m R
'

p r o a l y t h e C o u n i a a t h e a tz ca e b
( y o b e r t
S t e e le a n d P ro fe ss o r D E Smi t h ) A n y t h i n g be y o n d . . .

t h e se W ill h a ve t o b e c arri e d o ut b y p ri va t e e n te r
Vi PR E FACE

p r i
se ,
or t h r o ugh th e fo r m a ti o n of a Ro ge r B ac o n
So c i e t y

Th e v olum e o f C o mm e m o r a t i o n Ess ay s n o w
i ss ue d c o rr e sp o n d s w it h t h e p l a n a lr e a dy a n n o u n c e d
e x c e p t i n t wo p ar t i c u l a r s . Si r W illi a m O s l e r b e i ng
u n f o rt u n a t e l y c o m p e ll e d t o p o s t p o n e h i s p r o m i se d

a rt i c l e t o a fu t ur e o c c as i o n Mr E W it h i n g t o n m o s t
,
. .

e n ero usly c o n t ri b u t e d at v e r y s h o rt no t i c e th e
g
a rti c l e o n Ro g e r B a c o n a n d Me d i c i n e wh i c h i s b as e d ,

o n h i s i n t r o du c ti o n t o t h e f o rt h c o m i n g e d it i o n o f

B ac o n s m e di c al t re a t i se s Th e s e c o n d a l t e r a t i o n i s
’
.

t h e a dd iti o n o f t h e A pp e n di x c o n t a i ni n g a li s t o f
Ro g e r B a c o n s wo r k s a n d t h os e a t t ri b u t e d t o h i m
’
,

wh i c h it i s h o p e d m ay e n c o u r a ge fu rt h e r r e se a r c h e s .

On b e h a l f o f th e E x e c u ti v e C o mm it t e e I d e s i re t o
t h an k t h e writ e r s o f t h e fo ll o wi n g a rti c le s fo r t h e i r
g i f t s
. E a c h w r i t e r i s r e s p o n s i b l e f or h i s o w n a rt i c l e

a n d fo r t h a t a l o n e . Th e wo r k o f th e e d it o r h as b e e n
c o n fin e d m a i n l t n u rin m u n i f r m i t i n t h e
y o e s g s o e o y
s p e llin
g o f p pr o e r n a m e s ,
t o c o r r ec t i n g t h e fi n a l
p r o o f s ( w i t h t h e i n v a l u a b l e ass i s t a n c e o f t h e s t a ff
o f t h e P r e ss ) a n d t o c u t ti n o u t f r o m so m e e s sa y s
, g
s t a t e m e n t s wh i c h o c c u rr e d e l s e wh e r e . A c e rt a i n
a m o u n t o f r e e titi o n i s in e vit a b l e i n a v o l um e o f t h i s
p
k in d n or is i t a d i s a d v a n t a ge t o h a v e t h e s am e
,

fa c ts r e p r e se n t e d i n d i ffe r e n t c o n n e xi o n s D i ffe re n c e s .

o f o in i o n a re e u a ll
p q y i n e v it a b l e n o a t t e m p t h a s

b e e n m a d e t o r e c o n c il e t h e m a n d i t i s s urp ri s in g
,

th a t s o m an y e s ti m a t e s o f Ro ge r B a c o n s ma ni fo l d ’

a c ti v iti e s d o n o t r s n t r a t d i v r e n c e s
p e e
g e e r e g .

A G L
. . .
 C O NT E NTS
P AG E

I . INT RO D U CTI ON RO G E R BAOON S : ON

’
LIFE AN D

WORKS By A G LITTLE M A . . .
,
. .
, Lec t ur e r i n
Palae ograp hy i n t he U niv ersi ty o f Manc hes t er

DE R E IN FL U SS ROBE RT G ROSSETE STE AU F D IE

DE S

W I SSE NSCH AFTLI CH E RI CHT U N G D E S R O G E R

B A CON V o n U ni v ersi t ät spro f ess o r D r L U DW I G
. .

B A U R ( Tüb i nge n)

LA PLACE D E RO G E R BACON P ARM I LES PHILOSOPHE S

DU XIII S I EOLE P a r FRA N<
e
; OIS P IOA VE T
.
,

S e crét ai re d u Co llege d e Franc e Direc t eur a ,

l Ecole p ra t i que d e s H aut e s Et ud es

’
-

RO G E R BA CO N A N D THE LATIN VU LGATE . B y H is

Em in e n ce FRA NC I S AI DAN CARD INAL GASQ U ET ,

DD . .
, Presi d ent o f th e In t ern at i on al
Co mmi ssi o n fo r t h e R e vi si o n o f t h e Vulgat e

V RO G E R
. BACON AN D PHILOLOGY . By S A HIRSCH
. .
,

Ph D . .

THE P LAOE OF RO G E R
HI STORY OF BA CON I N TH E

MATHEMATICS By DAV I D E U GE NE SM ITH

.
,

P ro fe ss o r o f Mat h em at i cs Te ach ers Coll e ge

’

, ,

Columb i a U nive rsi t y

RO G E R BAOO N U ND SEI NE V E RD IEN S I E

' ‘

UM D IE

OPTI K . V on Ge h e i m e r Ho frat Pro fes sor

Dr E ILHARD
. WI EDEM ANN (Erl ange n)
V III . RO GER BACON S LE HRE V ON DE R SINNLI CHE N SP EZIES
U N D VOM SE H V O RGAN GE V on Dr S EBASTIAN . .

VO GL (P as sau)
 CONTENTS

P AG E

IX . ROGE R BACONS ART DE S W I SSEN SCHAFTLI CHE N

ARBEITENS DARGE STELLT NACH SEINE R S CH RIFT
,

DE S P E C UL IS . V on Dr . W Ü RSCHMI D T
(Erlange n)
X . ROGE R BAOON E T L H ORRE U R D U VIDE P a r P IE RRE ’
.

DUH EM Me mb re d e 1 Ins t i t u t d e Fran c e P ro

’

, ,

fesse nt a l Univ e rs i t é d e B ord e aux

’

XI . RO G E R B ACON RELATI ON S T O ALCIIEMY AND

: HIS -

CH E M I STRY B y M M PATT I SO N MU I R M A
. . .
,
. .
,

Fe llow and fo rme rly Prae le c t o r i n Chemis t ry

, ,

o f G on v i ll e an d Cai us Co ll e ge Camb ridg e ,

XII . RO G E R B ACO N G U NP OW DE R By Li e ut e n an t
AN D .

Co lon e l H . W L HIM E (la t e ) Ro ya l Ar t illery

. .
, 32 1

X III . RO GE R BACO N AND ME D I CI NE . By E . WITHI NGTO N ,

MA . ME . .

XIV . RO G E R BACO N IN E N G LI SH LITE RAT U RE . By Si r

J O HN E DW I N S AN DYS Li t t D LL D F B A , . .
,
. .
,
. .

Pub lic Orat or i n th e U nive rsi ty o f

Camb ri dg e

A P P E ND I X . ROGE R BAOON S WORKS W ITH RE FE RE NCES TO ’

THE MSS A ND P RI NTE D E D ITIO N S

. By A G . . .

LITT LE
 I N TRO DU C TI ON

ON R OG E R BA CON
’
S LI F E AND WO RKS
BY A G . . LITTLE

WRITIN G in 1 2 6 7 Rog e r B ac on s ays I h a ve l abour e d

muc h a t s c i e nc e s and l angua g e s an d it is now forty ye a rs ,

sinc e I first le arnt th e al ph ab e t : I h a ve a lwa ys b e e n

studious a nd e xc e pt fo r two o f thos e f orty y e ar s I h a ve
,

a lwa ys b ee n i n s tudi o Th e l a st p hr a s e p rob ably m e ans

a t a unive rsity B oys g e n e r ally w e nt to Oxf ord a t t h e
ag e o f tw e lve or thirt e e n It m a y th e n b e in fe rr e d th a t .
, ,

Roge r Bac on wa s born about 1 2 1 4 .

Th e tr a dition th a t h e was born n e a r I l c h e st e r is pr e s e rve d

'

by John Rous the Warwi c k a ntiqu a ry who was a stud e nt

,
2
,

at Ox ford a bout 1 440 was int e r e st e d in t h e history a nd ,

l e ge nds o f his unive rsity and h ad som e knowl e dg e o f Roge r ,

Op T ert
. .
(Bre we r ) , p 65
. of . G as que t ’
s F ra g m e n t
i n E ng l H i s t . .

Re v . x ii .
50 7 Ex c e pti s d uo b u s a nni s q ui b u s r e c r e a t i o n e m e t s o la i u m t
q u i e t i s s um p s i u t me l i u s p o s e a l a b o ra r e m
, t
3
H i s t Reg um A ngli a e ( e d H e r n e
.
pp .
, . 29, 82 . Ac c o r d i n g
t o At k y n s , A n c i en t a n d P rese nt S ta te of Glowces ters hi re p 1 4 7 F r i a r , .
,

B a c o n wa s b orn a t T o d g m o r e b o o m i n t h e p a r i sh o f Bi sle y He tt ,
.

wa s e d uc a e d t M a r y s Ch a p e l n o w S t B ury M i l l 0 11 S t ro u d
at St .
’

, .

r iv e r i n t h e
p a r i s h o f H a mp t o n wh e re i n i s a ro o m a t t h i s d a y c a l l e d ,

F r i e r B a c o n s s t ud y I t m a y b e n o t e d t h a t t h e n u n s o f H ol y
’ ’
.

T rin i t y a t Ca e n h e ld H a m p t o n o r M i n c hi n H a m p t o n G i lb e r t B ac o -
.

a p p e a r s a s w i t n e s s i n o n e o f t h e i r c h a r t e r s w h i l e W ill i a m B a c o n a n d ,

R o g e r hi s s on w e re c o n c e rne d b e n e fa c i o n t o t h e A b b e y o f
in a t
St . S teph e n , Ca e n , i n t h e tw t e l f h c e n ur y t
R o un d Ca l of D oc .
, . .

F r a nc e ,
nos .
4 47 , 4 53 ; cf . no 55 1
. o h n D e e s s a e me n
. J ha
’
t t t t t
B aco n
‘
v a s na
y med ,
as so me think , D avid D e e of Rad ik
’
a pp e a r s ,

as j u t ly s a y s t o
B ri d g e s s ,
‘
r e st o n t ho i ty b ut t h at
no au r of J oh n
D e e s v e r y e rra t i c i m a g i na t i o n O pus M ajus i xxx i v
’
. .
,

B
2 R OG E R B A CON

B ac on s works l h a lls him fri a r Rog e r

In
’
ac e e c o ne
p .

B a con o f t h e English n a tion a nd t h e c ounty o f D ors e t

in a noth e r th at famous c l e rk fri ar Rob e rt (s i e) Bac on o f
,

t h e minorit e ord e r by birth a n E nglishm a n o f nobl e fam ily , ,

o f t h e inh a bit a nts o f t h e c ounty o f D ors e t n e a r I l c h e st e r

’
.

I l c h e st e r i s in t h e c ounty o f Som e rs e t but only so m e fi v e ,

m il e s from t h e bound a ry o f Dors e t And in s up p ort o f .

t h e tr a dition it m ay b e not e d th at in 1 1 6 6 o n e Rog e r B ac on

h e ld two parts o f a knight s fe e in D ors e tshir e give n to him ’

by his fath e r i n law Willi a m son o f John o f H a rptr e e

- -
, .
‘

Th e n am e Rog e r is a lso f ound in t h e tw e l fth and thirt e e nth

c e nturi e s a mong t h e B a c ons o f t h e B e ssin in No r m andy
2
,

t h e B ac ons o f Nor folk an d t h e B a c ons o f Ess e x a n d th e r e

3 4
, ,

is littl e doubt th at th e s e we r e br an c h e s o f t h e s am e family .

Rog e r Bac on t e lls us littl e a bout his family His moth e r .

was still a liv e in 1 2 6 7 his e lde r broth e r my ri c h broth e r

h a d su cc e e d e d to t h e e st a t e s but h aving su p p ort e d t h e ,

king s c aus e during t h e B arons War h ad b e e n drive n out

’ ’

with his r e l ative s an d r e duc e d to p ove rty Anoth e r brothe r .

5

B ac on d e s c r ib e s a s a s c hol a r 6

I t is g e n e r all ysu pp os e d th at Rog e r wa s r e l a t e d to Rob e rt

B ac on t h e f a mo us Domini c a n do c tor who di e d in 1 2 45
, , .

Matth e w P a ris t e lls how Fri a r Rob e rt B ac on o f th e Ord e r

o f Pr e ac h e rs in a s p e e c h b e for e t h e king at Ox ford Jun e 2 4
, , ,

1 2 33 d e noun c e d t h e roy a l f a vourit e s

, t h e B isho p o f Win ,

Re d B oo k o f the E xc heque r , i . 2 19 . I a m i n d e b t e d t o P r o fe sso r

P o wi c k e fo r th i s re fe re n c e .

R o un d
2
, Co l .
f
o D oc . F ra n cep , . 160 . D e li s l e , E xcheq . Roll of
N orma n dy p 31 . . Re d B ook f
o the E xchequer , i i . 645
S t apl e t o n , Obser va ti on s , ii . l xx i x . P a lg ra v e , Rot . Cu r . Reg .
, ii .

19 1
3
Rot de F i ni bus
.
, p .
44 3 Rot L i l i . . Cl a us 1 . 2 54, 333,
5 34 5 35» .

R ob e r ts , Col . Gen e a l og p p 4 2 4 6 34 ; Cl os e Ro lls ,

.
‚ .
, 18 Ed . I ,

m . 17 d .
34 E d I .
, rn .
3 d s oh d . .

5
Op . T e rt ( B r e
. we ) r , p 1 6 ; c f E H R X II 5 0 2
. . . . . .

Op . Ter i .
( B re w e r) , p . 13 .
 LI F E AND WO RKS 3

c hest e r ( Pi e rr e d e s Ro c h e s ) and Pi e rre d e Ri e vaulx wh e r e

u pon s e e ing t h e king inc lining to r e ason a witty c l e rk o f ,

t h e c ourt ( cl erzcus de curi a ) n a m e ly Rog e r B ac un s a id :

'

, ,

My Lord King wh at is most inj urious and d ang e rous to ,

s ailors c rossing a str a it Th e king r e p li e d Th e y know

th at do busin e ss in gr e at wa t e rs Th e c l e rk s aid I will .
’

t e ll you my lord P etro c et Rußes

,
Was this c l e rk t h e .
’

fa mous Rog e r ? I n his writings h e do e s not a p pe a r a s

i ocundus i n s ermone a nd though h e h a d som e knowl e dg e ,

o f t h e inn e r working o f a c h an c e ry f th e r e is no e vid e n c e th a t

’

h e was e ve r a c l e rk in t h e roy a l c ourt Th a t h e was a lr e a dy .

a stud e nt a t O x ford som e y e a rs b e for e this m a y b e in fe rr e d

f rom his st a t e m e nt th a t Edmund Ar c hbisho p o f Ca nt e rbury

first l ec ture d on t h e book o f El e n c hs at Ox ford in my tim e
Edmund Ri c h wa s c ons e c r a t e d a r c hbisho p A p ril 2 1 2 34 and , ,

had c e a s e d to l e c tur e a t Ox ford som e y e a rs e a rli e r Gross e .

t e st e who e x e r c ise d t he m ost p e rm a n e nt infl u e n c e on his

,

int e ll e c tu al d e ve lo pm e nt was l e c turing in t h e s c hools o f ,

t h e Fr a n c is c a ns a t O x fo r d f rom a bout 1 2 30 to 1 2 35 wh e n ,

h e b e c a m e B isho p o f Linc ol n “

Bac on took t h e d e gr e e o f M A a t a n unknown d at e and . .

,

ac quir e d fam e by his l e c tur e s a t O x ford a n d P a ris He .

wrot e m any e l e m e nt a ry tr e atis e s fo r s t ud e nt s Me n us e d .

S

to wond e r b e for e I b e c am e a fri a r (i n c li o statu) th at

I liv e d owing to my e x c e ssiv e l abo urs To this p e riod
’
.

p rob ably b e long his c omm e nt a ri e s on t h e Physi c s an d

7

C hro n M a . j om ,
iii . 2 44 — 5 .

E H R . . x ii .
50 1 V i d e mu s e ni m in c u ri i s p r e l a t o ru m p ri nc i et

p u m q u o d u n a li tt e a t r r a n si t pe m ul t a s m a n u s
r a n t e q u a m e x a m i n at a

s c r i p t u ra b ull a m r e c i p it a ut si g ill um cf O
p T ert ( B r e w e r ) p 5 7
. . .
, . .

3
Comp S tu d The ol . . .
( R a sh d a l l ) p , .
34 .

L a n e rcos t C hr on „ p .
45 E ccle s ton (e d . Li tt le ) , p 61. .

5
E H R , x ii 5 0 0
. . . . .

( B r e we r )
6
Op . Te r t .
, p 65
. .

7
A re f e r e n c e to the Se i n e (M S
A m i e n s 4 0 6 f 4 7 0 0 1 a ) sh o s
.
, .
, . w
t ha t the se c o n d s e r i e s o f qua es tzo n e s o n t h e Ph si cs was c o m os e d
'

y p
i n P a ri s .
4 R OG ER BA CON

Me t aphysics pre s e rve d in t he A m i e ns MS No 40 6

, the y . . :

a re in t h e p r e va l e nt di al e c ti c styl e a n d p e r h a p s might b e ,

p u t into t h e c l a ss o f works whi c h B ac o n a ft e rw a r d s r idi c ul e d

as hors e lo ads His l e c t ure s on t h e p s e udo A r istot e li a n

- -

t r e a t is e De planti s ( pre s e rve d in p ar t in t h e s a m e MS ) w e re

'

d e live re d a t Pa r is wh e r e his S panish st ud e nts l augh e d at ,

him fo r bungling ove r a word whi c h h e thought was Ar abi c

a n d th e y t old him a f t e r w a rds was S p a nish
‘
.

Th e r e is s o m e e vid e n c e th a t h e w e nt to P ar is b e for e 1 2 36 .

For h e s ays th at h e b e ga n his Epi stol a de a cci denti bus

se n e ctuti s a t t h e sugg e stion o f two wis e m e n n am e l y ,

John o f Ch atillon a nd Phili p Ch a n ce llor of P a r is .

2

Th e r e w e r e two c h an ce llors o f t h e n a m e o f Ph i li p in t h e
thi r t e e nth c e ntury : Phili p d e G r eve who di e d in 1 2 36 ,

( and was buri e d in t h e Fr a n c is c a n Chur c h at P a ris ) a nd

3
,

Phili p d e Thoiry Ch an c e llor 1 2 8 0 —4 Sin c e B a c on r e fe rs , .

to t he Epi stol a as a lre ady p ublishe d i n it is c l e ar th at

t h e Phili p re fe rr e d to must b e Phili p d e Gr eve Furth e r .
,

t h e e ar lie st e xt a nt MS whi c h c on t a ins a n e arly v e rsion o f

t h e wo rk st a t e s th a t t he l e tt e r w as s e nt to Po p e I nno ce nt I V
,

( 1 2 43 I t b e a rs int e rn al e vid e n c e o f h a ving b e e n a n

e ar ly wo r k f o r i t was writt e n a t a tim e wh e n t h e a utho r
did not know Gr e e k I nc id e nt ally B ac on m e ntions in it .

t ha t h e h ad b e e n i n parti bus Roman i s .

B ac on was c e rt ainly in P a ris b e for e 1 2 45 : fo r h e s a ys

Op . M aj ( B r i d g e s) i ii 8 2
.
, .
; Op . Te rt .
(B r e we r) , p .
91 C omp .

S tud i i P hi l pp .
( B re we r ) , . 6
4 7
—8 .

M S B i b l N at P a ri s 6 9 7 8 f
. . .
, , . 27V : the MS .
, wh i c h is a n o ny m o us ,

t
h a s r e c e n ly b e e n i d e n t ifi e d b y Mr . Ste le e Et h a n c i n c e p i a d
.

s ua s i o n e m d uo r um s a p i e n t um ,
s oi l . J oh a nni s Ca st l lo m a t i ( or e

Ca s t e llo n i a c i ) e t P hi l i p p i Ca n c e ll a r i i P a r i si e n si s J oh n o f Ch at i l lo n
.
’

wa s i n P a r i s 1 2 7 3 ( L e co y d e la Ma r c h e , L a C h a i re f rang .
,

p .
5 1 5) J oh n of Ch a i llo n Co un t ,
t of B l oi s , r e ce i v e d p r i v i l e g e s f ro m
I n no c e n t IV ( B a l a z e M i s cell , .
, i .

3
B ri t
M u s M S A d d 3 39 5 6 f 7 1
. . . .
, . .

Op M aj ( Br i d g e s ) i i 2 0 9
. .
, . .

M S B i b l N at
. . .
, 6 97 8 .
 LI FE AND WORKS 5

t h at h e h a d s e e n with his own e ye s Al e x and e r o f H al e s ‘

,

who di e d in th at ye ar He twi c e h e ard Willi am o f Auve rgne .

( who di e d in 1 248 ) dis put e on t h e I nl ell eclus A gens b e fore

t he whol e unive rsity H e also h e ard Mast e r John de .
2

Garl and i a ( T1 2 5 2 ) d e noun c e ignor a nt e tymologists 3

And .

he was in Fr a n c e in 1 2 5 1 wh e n h e s aw th e l e a d e r o f t h e ,

P astoure aux We do not know whe n or wh e r e he e nt e r e d

.
4

t he Fr a n c is c a n Ord e r nor t h e r e a so n s whi c h mov e d him ,

to t ak e this st e p Possibly h e fe lt t h e n e e d o f t he prot ec tion

.

o f a p ow e r ful org aniz a tion H e was c l e arly o f m ature .

ye ars and it is n atura l to su pp os e th at h e was i nfluenc e d

,

by his a dmire d fri e nd and m a st e r Fri ar Ad am Marsh ,

.

A tradition pre s e rve d in t he R e gist e r o f t h e Gre y Fri ars

o f London is p e rh a p s worth m e ntioning n am e ly th at John ,

o f P a rm a wrot e to Fri ar Roge r B érk on t he tr e atis e b e ginning

I nnon un ato M agi stro This is a we ll known l e tt e r
— 6
'
5

writt e n by B on ave ntu ra whil e h e was l e c turing at P aris

a nd wh e n John o f P a rm a was g e n e r a l minist e r i e b e tw e e n , . .

1 2 48 a n d 1 2 5 7 Th e unn am e d m ast e r appe a rs t o h av e

.

h ad som e thoughts o f j oining t h e Ord e r but to h a v e b e e n ,

sh ak e n by a Domini c an who att ac k e d t he Fr a n c is c a ns for

not obs e rving t h e Rul e Th e D o m ini c an was r e b uke d by .

t h e E ngli s h p rovin c i al minist e r f rom whi c h it m ay b e ,

infe rr e d th at h e was an Englishm an Though at l e a st o ne .

o f B on av e nt ura s a rgum e nts th at n ame ly in favour o f

’

studying philoso phy in g e ne ral fo r without pr ac ti c a l

knowl e dg e o f oth e r s c i e n c e s t h e Holy S c ri ptur e s c annot b e
und e rstood would h ave a ppe al e d to B ac on and though ,

th e re is n o c hro nologic a l d iffi c ulty the re is no e vide n c e to ,

s u p p ort t h e i d e nt ific a t i o n o f t h e unn am e d m ast e r With

Rog e r B ac on .

Op Ill i n ( B e w ) p 3 5
. . r er , . 2 .

2
Op lil j ( B i d g ) i i i 4 7
. a . r Op T rt ( B r w e ) p 7 4
es , . . e . e r , . .

3
C mp S i u d P hi l ( B w ) p 4 5 3
' '

o . zz . re er , . .

Op M aj
. .
( B ri d g e s ) i , .
40 1 .
5
M on F ra nc
.
, i 5 33
. .

B ona ve n tura e Ope ra Omn i a , v iii .

33 1 —6
( e d Q uara c c h i )
.
6 R OG E R B A CON

I t m ay b e m e ntion e d th a t Rog e r B ac on n e ve r b e ca m e
a do c tor o f divinity ( in s p it e o f e a rly st a t e m e nts to t he co n _

t ra ry), it is doubt ful wh e the r h e was e ve r in holy orde rs

I
a nd .

B e f or e h e j oine d t h e F r a n c is c a ns h e h ad a lr e a dy c ut
hims e l f adrift fr om t h e tr a dition a l m e thods and obj e c ts
o f study ( negl ecl o s e n s u vulgi ) a n d stru c k out a lin e fo r

hi m s e l f He h ad a lre a dy b e c om e c onvin c e d o f t h e in a d e qu ac y
o f logi c an d o f t h e n e e d fo r t h e ac quisition o f p ositiv e

knowl e dg e D uring t h e tw e nty ye a r s (h e s a ys in 1 2 6 7 )

.
2

in whi c h I h a ve l abour e d s pe c i ally in t h e study o f wisdom ,

a ft e r a b a ndoning t h e usu a l m e thods I h a v e s pe nt mor e ,

th an 2 0 0 0 l on s e c r e t books a nd va rious e x pe rim e nts and

.
,

l anguag e s and instr um e nts a nd m ath e m ati c a l t abl e s & c , .

’

Though a l i bra P a ri s i e ns i u rn wa s only e quiv a l e nt to a third

o f a p ound st e rling i t is d iffi c ult to b e li e v e th a t a Me ndi c a nt,
3 -

Fr i a r e ve n so h ardy a b e gg a r as B ac on e vid e ntly was whe n

,

t he int e r e sts o f s c i e n c e w e r e c on c e r n e d c a n h a v e obt a in e d ,

so l a rg e a s um : it must h a ve in c lud e d his privat e m e ans

in a l i o s ta tu .

H e is ca lle d mag i st e r i n A mi e n s MS 40 6 — . e vi d e n t l y Ma s t e r
of Ar ts
t h i t e en t h c e n t u y d o c um e n t s o fa a s I
. No r -
r ,
r k n o w r e f e rs
,

t o h i m a s D o c t o r o r M a s t e r o f Th e o l o gy Th e Chr on X X ] V G e n e . .

r l u rn
a z wri tt e n c 1 37 0 b ut c o n t ai n i n g e a li e r m a tt e r c a l ls h i m
'

, .
,
r ,

S T h e o l Ma g ( p
. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d B ar t h o l o m e w o f P i sa
. . .
, ,

w h o i s v e y c a e f ul t o d i s t i n g u i sh b e tw e e n f r i a rs w h o w e e m a s t e s
r r r r

o f t h o l o g y a n d f r i a r s w h o w e r e n o t a l w a y s r e f e s t o h i m a s f ra ter
e ,
r ‚

ne ver as mag i s te r Conf orm i 338 ( e d Q ua ra c c h i ) P ra te r R o g e r i u s .

, . .

B a c h o n i n o m n i f a c ul t a t e d o c t i s s i m u s i n e i sd e m s c r i b e n d o mi ra b i li s
, ,

a pp a r e t s c i e n t i a r um d i v e r s i t a t e i m b ut u s (t h e fi rs t a pp e a ra n c e o f
hi s t ra d i t i o n a l e p i t h e t m i rab i l i s f ra t r e m
‘
cf pp 34 1 5 4 7 . .
, ,

R o b e r t u m ( s i c) B a c h o n .

Op T er l ( B re w e r)
2
. .
, p 59 . .

3
Th i s i s B a c o n
’
s es t t
i ma e i n t h e i n t e re st i n g p assa g e q u o te d by
Ch a rl e s , Rog er B ac on p 30 5 , f ro m M S , f 4 : .
‚
. R oya l 7 F III
, . V , .

P r i mu m e n i m sp e c ul um c o n s i s t i t 6 0 l i b r i s p a r i s i e n s i um q ua e v a l e n t
t
c i r c i e r 2 0 1i b ra s s t e rl i n g o r um e t p o s e a f e c i fi e ri m e l i u s p r o 1 0 1i b r i s t
p a ri s i e n si u m s oi l p r o q u i n q u e m ar c i s st e rl i n g o r u m [753 6 3 Sal ]
, . et . .

t
p os e a d i l i ge nt i us e x p e r t us i n h i s p e r c e p i q u o d m e l i o ra p o ss e n t fi e ri
p ro d uob us m a rc i s p ro m i nor e
’

, v e l 2 0 s o l id i s , e t a d h u c .
 LI F E AND W O RKS 7

His he alth broke down and fo r t e n ye a rs ( 0 1 2 5 6—66 ) he ,

.

h ad owing to m any i nfi rmit i e s to withdraw from t aking

, ,
’

a ny p ubli c p a rt in univ e rsity a ffa i rs He was not as is I

.
,

o ft e n all e g e d im prison e d or b a nishe d at this tim e We , .

2

h ave a glim p s e o f him in P a ris during this pe riod list ening

to a t a l e o f m agic H e s e e ms to h av e b e e n in t he h abit o f
3
.

supplying ne w m a st e rs o f a rts a t th e ir inc e p tion or ina ugur a l

dis p ut ation with probl e ms in g e o m e try whi c h none o f th e ir
h e ar e rs c o uld solve He was m ainly o c c upi e d in inve stig a 4
'

tions and e x pe rim e nts in physic s e s p e c i a lly o p t ies in m aking , ,

l e ns e s in c onstruc ting a stronomi ca l t a ble s a nd e l abor ating

, ,

his the o r y o f t h e p ro pa g ation o f f or ce He d e vot e d his .

s

l e isur e to instruc ting boys in m a th e m a ti c s s c i e nc e s and , ,

l anguage s o ne o f th e m John who c am e to him p oor and

6
, ,

e a g e r to l e a rn a bout 1 2 6 0 at t h e ag e o f fi ft e e n h e su pp ort e d , , ,

through alms be gge d fr om fri e nds an d instru c t e d gr a tis for

t h e lov e o f God a nd a ft e rw a rds e m ploy e d a s his m e ss e ng e r ,

to t he p o p e He k e p t hims e l f thoroughly in form e d on wh a t

.
7

was going on in t h e world a nd us e s c ont e m p or a ry p oliti c a l ,

an d so c i a l e v e nts to illustr a t e his p oints The Childr e n s

’
.

Cr us a d e an d t he R e volt o f t h e P a stour e a ux afford him

inst a n c e s o f fas c in ation Th e qu a rr e ls b e twe e n H e nry III
and t h e b a rons in E ngl a nd t h e r e l ations o f t h e English an d ,

Fr e n c h kings t h e struggle b e twee n Em pire and P apac y and ,

E H R
‘

. . x ii .
50 0 .

2
Th e m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e w o rd s
e rr o r a r os e fro m a , a d e ce m
a n ni s e x ul a nt e m
q u a n t um a d fa ma m s t ud ii q u am re t roa c t i s t e m p o ri
b us o b t i nu i ( B r e w e r)
’
. Op Ter t . .
, p 7
. .

3
L i ber E xe mfl or um , ed . Li tt le (B r i t . So c . of F r a n c i s c a n S ud i e s i ), t ,

p . 22 .

Op . T e rt .
( B re we r ) ,p 1 39 . .

5
36 38 Ibi d 30 5 .
, pp .
, Cha r l e s p , . .

6
Op Te rt ( B r e e r ) p 1 5 9 . . w , . .

7
Op T ert ( B r e e r ) p p 6 1— 3 89 I I I
. 1 35 1 39 22 1, . w , .
, , , , , 270 ;
E H R x i i 5 0 6 ; Op T ert ( Li l e ), pp 6 1 , 8 2
. . Op M i n p
. . . tt . . .
, .
32 0 ;
Op M aj . .
, ii . 17 1 , i ii . 23 .

8
Opus M aj ( B ri d g e s ) i 40
.
, . 1 .
8 R OG E R B A CON

fin al ove rthrow o f t h e Hoh e nst au fe n by Ch arl e s o f Anj ou ,

h
t e C rus a d e s o f St L ouis t h e a git a tion o f Willi a m o f .
,

St Amour in the Unive rsity o f P aris are a mong t he subj e c ts

. ,

h e al lud e s t o He dra ws a tt e ntion to t h e c ru e lti e s o f th e

.
I

Te utoni c knights an d p oints out how fa t a l th e s e we r e to t h e

e fforts o f t h e fri a rs to c onv e r t t h e h e ath e n Sl a vs to Chris

t i ani t y He kn e w o f t h e gre at G e rm a n fr i a r Be rthold o f

.
2

R e g ensburg Th e magnifi ce nt work h e is doing in pr e aching

is o f more value th a n th at o f almost all t h e oth e r f ri ars
tog e the r He was p ro foundly int e re st e d in t h e dis c ove ri e s
3 ’
.

o f t h e gr e a t tr a v e ll e rs o f t h e tim e e s p e ci ally Willi a m d e ,

Rub ruc k I h av e pe rus e d his book dilig e ntly and c on fe rr e d

with th e author and with m any oth e rs who h ave inv e stig at e d ,

t h e g e ogr aphy o f t h e Ea st a n d South I n s pe aking O f

’
.

m e c h ani cal dis c ove ri e s I h a v e not s e e n a flying m ac hin e ,

’

h e s ays in o ne p l ac e a n d I do not know a ny o n e who h as ,

s e e n one but I know a wis e man who has thought out t h e

p rin c i pl e o f t h e thing .
’
5

Among t he l e arne d h e m a d e m any fri e nds su c h as t h e 6

,

myst e rious P e t e r d e Mari c ourt a nd t h e unn am e d hama ,

7

sapi en ti s si mus who h as b e e n id e nt ifi e d on doubt ful grounds ,

with th e Fr a n c is c a n Willi am d e Mar a 8

Th e e n e mi e s h e .

m ad e by his bitt e r tongu e w e r e mor e im port ant p e o pl e ,

c hi e f a m o ng th e m b e ing Alb e rt t h e Gr e a t who p rob ably 9

,

Ci C o mp S l ud i i P hi l
. . .
(B r e w e r) , p p 39 9 , 4 2 9 ; Op
. . Te rt .
( Li tt l e ) ,

p . 19 ; Op . M aj (B ri d g e s) pp 32 1 38 6
.
, .
, .

Op M aj .
_
.
( B ri d g e s), i i i . 1 2 1 —2 .

( B r e we r ) p 3 1 0
3
Op Te rt . .
, . .

Op M aj ( B r i d g e s ) i 30 3 30 5 35 6 —7 4 4 0 0
. .
, .
, , , .

5
D e S e c re l i s Ope r i bus A r ti s e t N a tura e ( B r e w e r ) p 5 3 3 , . .

Cf Op Te rt ( B r e w e r) p 5 8
. . .
, . .

e g Op Te rt ( B r e w e r ) pp
7
. . .
35 4 3 4 7 6 — S e e P i ca v e t E ssa i s
.
, .
, , .
, , 810 .

( P a ri s , cap . x ii .

( B re w e r) M in
8
Op . Tert . Op .
pp 32 3 1 7 ; S B e r g e r ,
.
, .
,
.
Qua i n
nol i ti a rn Li ngua e H e bra i cae ha bue r i n t Ch r i s ti a n i &c p 35 , .
, . .

( B re w e r) M t h e se
9
Op T er t — 2 O i —8 :
. .
, pp .
30 37 4 ; , p n pp 3 7
2 . .
, .

p a ssag e s p rob ab l y re fe r t o Al b e r t ra th e r than t o A qui n a s . B a c on

 LI FE AND W ORKS 9

was thinking o f Ba c on wh e n h e d e nounc e d thos e c r iti c s

who we r e too idl e to p ublish wo rks o f th e ir own a nd only
r e ad t h e works o f oth e rs to fin d fault with t h e m B ac on .
I

hims e l f a dmits th a t h e wrot e nothing or n e xt to nothi ng

o f im p ort a n c e — c o n fi n i ng hims e l f to l e tt e rs to f ri e nds who

a sk e d his o p inion on s p e c i a l p oints This is how e v e r a n 2

.
, ,

e x a gg e r a tion Though h e r e c e iv e d no c omm a nd to writ e

.

from his su p e riors who w e r e n a tur a lly n e rvous o f e n co urag,

3

ing ind e p e nd e nt t al e nt a t a tim e whe n t h e p ubli c ation o f

"

t h e I nt r odu c tion to t h e Et e rn a l Gos pe l h a d sh ak e n t h e

O rd e r to its found ations t h e list o f his writi n gs whi c h ,
4

m ay b e a ssign e d to this pe riod is not inc onsid e r a bl e It .

p rob a bly in c lud e s t h e D e S pecul i s a n d t h e D e M i ra bi l i

P otestate A rti s e t N a tura e c e rt a inly t h e long a stronomi c a l ,

work D e Computo N aturali ( A D 1 2 6 3—4) a nd t h e M el a . .

h i (a tr e atis e whi c h in its p re s e nt f ragm e nt a ry f orm

5
py s ca

give s a ve ry p oor im pr e ssion o f B ac on s c ap ac ity to d e a l ’

with que stions o f pure p hiloso phy) and prob ably a ve rsion ,

wa s i n d i g n a n t th at he s h ou l d b e q uo te d as an au t h o ri t y in t h e
s c h oo l s , a nd r e g a rd e d h i s i n flue n c e p e r n i c i o u s ma i n l y b e c a u s e
as

of h i s i g n o r a nc e a n d n e g l e c t t
o f l a n gua g e s a n d m a h e ma i c s a n d t h e t ,

s ci e nc e s b a se d o n m a h e m a i c s t t mov e d : he re i t e ra t e s t h a t h e is not

b y p e r so n a l f e e l i n g i n d e e d h e p r a i s e s h i m a s s t u d i o s i ss i m u s
— ‘ ’

( B re w e r , p 3 7)
2 — b ut a tt a c k s hi m o n l
.
y p ro p t e r a mo r e m v e r i t at i s e t
p ro p t e r u t i l i t a t e m c o m m u n e m ( i b p T h a t h i s h o st i l i t y w a s n o t
’
. .

a F ra n c i sc a n s j e a l o u s
y o f a D o m i n i c a n i s p ro v e d b y t h e f a c t t h a t h e
’

s i m ul t a n e o u s l d A l x d r o f H a le s 0 —
y e n o u n c e s e a n e ( 11
pp 3 2 6 7 of . .

B r e w e r f o r N a m q u um i nt r a v i t & c r e a d : I m m o q u o n i a m i n t ra v i t
‘ ‘
, .
,

o r d i ne m f r a t ru m m i n o ru m f ui t d e e o m a x i mu s r u m o r n o n s o l um,

se d t
p r o p e r h o c qu o d n o vu s f u i O rd o t
M a n d o n n e t S i ge r d e B ra ba nt i 2 4 6 ; A l be r ti M agn i Ope r a
‘

, , .

O mn i a e d B o rg n e t v i i i 8 0 3— 4 ( P o l i i c s )
, .
, . t .

Op . Te r l .
( Bre we r) , p . 13 .

3
Ib i d .

Cf . Se pp e l t , D e r Ka mpf der B e ttel orde n ,

&c B re sla u , 1 90 7 ;
a nd the d e c re e a ga i n s tp ubl i sh i n g un au h o r i z e d t wr i t i n g s in th e
G e n e ra l Co n s i t t u t i on s o f t h e F r a n c i s ca n O rd e r , 1 2 6 0 A rchi v f Li l . .

u . Ki r chenge sc h .
,
vi . 1 10 .

( L i tt l e )
5
Cf Op Te rl
. . .
, p 56;
.
10 R OG E R B A CON

of t he im p ort a nt phys ic a l tr e atis e D e M ulti pli cati on e

S pe ci erum or On t h e p ro p a g a tion o f f or c e
,
Th e l ast two .

s e e m howe ve r to h a ve b e e n wr itt e n a ft e r Bac on h a d c om e

, ,

into c o mm uni c ation with Guy d e Foulq ue s t he future ,

Cl e m e nt IV .

B ac on s g re a t o p p o r tunity c a m e in 1 2 66 Guy d e Foul

’
.

que s Ar c hbisho p o f Na rbonn e ( 1 2 5 9) and Cardin al B isho p

,
-

o f St S a bin a h e ard o f B ac on s writings from R a ymond ’

d e La on a c l e rk in t h e c a rdin a l s s e r vi c e a n d c ommission e d
’

, ,

R aymond to obt a in th e m p rob ably at t he e nd o f ,

Guy was e l e c t e d Po pe und e r th e titl e o f Cl e m e nt IV on

F e brua ry 5 1 2 6 5 I n Ma r c h 1 2 6 6 Sir Willi am B one c o r or
,
.
,

B o nc q uo r who h a d b e e n e m p loye d in n e goti a tions with t h e

,

Holy Se e and with S p ain a nd who (as Matth e w P aris not e s ) ,

was we ll v e r s e d in t h e m a nn e rs a n d c ustoms o f th e S p a ni a rds ,

was s e nt by H e nry I II a s s p e c i a l e nvoy t o Cl e m e nt IV ,

2

a nd to his h a n ds B ac on e ntrust e d a l e tt e r f o r t h e p o p e ,

whi c h h as not b e e n pr e s e rve d Th e p o p e h aving not e d t h e .

3
,

vi oa o oce e x l an ations whi c h t h e l e a rn e d knight su

p ppli e d ,

wrot e to Bac on fr om V it e rbo on J un e 2 2 1 2 66 bidding , ,

him s e nd a fa ir c o p y o f t h e works whi c h R a ymond d e La on

h ad p r e viously m e ntion e d s e c r e tly a n d witho u t d e l a y , ,

notwithst anding any c onstitution o f t h e Fr an c is c a n Ord e r

to t he c ontr ary .
4

B a c on s gr atitud e wa s boundl e ss Th e H e a d o f t h e
’ ‘
.

Chur c h h as sought out m e t h e unwor t hy sol e o f its f oot ,

I fe e l mys e l f e l e vat e d a bov e my ordin a ry str e ngth I c on

c e i v e a n e w fe rvour o f s irit I ought t o b e mor e th a n gr at e
p .

It i s t
o f e n sa i d t h at Guy d e F o ul q u e s h e a r d of B a c on wh e n h e
t
w a s l e ga e i n E n g l a n d ( 1 2 6 4
) h e faile d h o e v e r t o ,
w , g a i n a d mi tta n ce
t o E n g l an d a n d g o t n o f ur h e r h a n B o ul o n e
g t t .

2
Ma tt
P a r i s Chron M aj v 5 5 5 5 7 6
.
, P a t R o ll s 5 0 H e u I I I ,
. .
, .
, . .
, .

III 2 4 Si r W B o n e c o r i s f r e q u e n l m e n i o n e d i n t h e u bli c r e co r d st t
y p
. . .
.

3
Ca n i t h a v e b e e n t h e M etaphy s i ca de oi c i i s c on tr a cti s in s tu d i o
the ol og i e
Th e le tt e r i s p ri nt e d i n B e w e r r, Op I n e d
. .
, p . 1 .
 12 R OG E R BA CON

whi c h h e ho pe d to w rite mor e o ft e n P ersua si o I t was ,

I
.
2

a tr e atis e writt e n with t h e d e fi ni t e obj e c t o f p e rsu a ding

t h e pr a c ti ca l m an o f t h e p r ac ti c a l us e fuln e ss o f wisdom
o f s c i e ntifi c knowl e dg e a nd m e thod Th e p a rts into whi c h .

it is divid e d a re e ntitl e d On t h e Us e fuln e ss o f th e Study

o f La ngu a g e s On t h e Us e fuln e ss o f Math e m a ti c s a nd
’ ’

, ,

so forth a nd a t th e e nd o f e ac h s e c tion t h e a uthor p oints

,

out prac ti c a l appli c a tions whi c h we r e like ly to a ppe al to

t h e rul e r o f t h e Chur c h thus a k n owl e dge o f H e br e w and
Gr e e k is n e c e ss ary fo r und e rst a nding t h e m e a ning a nd
e st ablishing t h e c orr e c t t e xt o f t h e B ibl e a knowl e dg e o f ,

Ar abi c is us e ful to c onvic t th e i nfid e l a knowl e dg e o f g e o ,

gra phy wo uld s a ve mission a ri e s from mu c h wa st e l abour

a nd m a ny d ang e rs a knowl e dg e o f o p ti c s would l e a d to,

t h e c onstru c tion o f ins t rum e nts whi c h wo ul d in c r e as e t h e

p o w e r o f vision a n d would e n a bl e a l e a d
,
e r to m a k e a n d
u se burning — gl ass e s a nd d e stroy th e c iti e s and a rmi e s o f
t he e ne m y .

An a dmirabl e sk e t c h o f th e c ours e o f thought in t he

Opus M djus wa s giv e n by t h e l a t e Pro fe ssor Rob e rt Ad a mson
in an a ddr e ss d e live r e d at t h e Owe ns Coll e g e Ma nc h e st e r , ,

in a nd is h e r e r e p rodu c e d Y ou will find it c onsist .

s ays Pro fe ssor Ad amson m ainly in thr e e things : 1 st A , ,

c riticism o f t h e s irit in whi c h s c i e nti fi c studi e s w e r e th e n

p
p ursu e d z ud an a tt e m t a t a c l a s s i fic at io n o f t h e s c i e n c e s
p ,

3rd a n e x p osition o f a ne w s c i e ntifi c m e thod

‚ As it .

e .
g . Op . T ert .
( B r e we r) , p . 19 , I n t ra c t a t u p ra e a m b u l o et

t
s e p a ra o a s i ng ul i s t rac t a t i b u s p a r t i c ul a rib u s .
’
Cf 2 1 , 2 2 2 3 & c
.
, , .

e .
g . E H R. . .
, p 50 7 :
. P e rs u a s i o i g i u r t qu a m m i tt o h ab e t
sep e t m p ar t e s &c ,
’
. Op . M aj .
, i ii .
36 ; i .
p ra e se n s p e r sua si o
30 5
’

d i s t i n g u i sh e d f ro m s c r i p t u ra t a q u a m re q u i r i t i s i
p e rfe c p 3 2 5 n .
,

h ac p e rsu a s i o n e d i s t in g u i sh e d f r o m p ri n c i p a l i o r i t r a c t a t u Se e
a l so tt
t h e i le s i n t h e D i g b y M S .

3
Rog er B a con the P hi l os ophy o f S c i e n ce i n the M i ddle A g es
(Manc h e st e r , Co r n i s h , It i s o ut of p ri n t T h e f o llo
. wi n g
p age s a re re p r i n e d t wi th t h e k i n d p e rm i s si o n o f M r s A d a mso n
. .
 LI FE AND WORKS 13

st ands at pre s e nt t he work c onsists of [six] p a rts ,

‘
of whi c h
t h e cont e nts are as f ollows

P a rt Iis a n e x position o f the c aus e s whi c h ha ve hinde r e d

t he pr ogr e ss o f tru e philoso p hy a mong t h e La tins Th e s e .

Ofle ndi cul a as B ac on c a lls th e m are f our in numb e r :

‚ ,

( 1 ) De pe nd e n c e on a uthority f r agi l i s et i ndi gna e a uctori tati s

exe mplu m) ; ( )
2 Y i e lding to e st a blish e d c ustom ( con s u e tu
di ni s di uturni ta s ) ( 3) Allowing w e ight to p o pul a r o pinion
(vulgi sens us i mperi ti ) (4) Conc e a lm e nt o f r e a l ignora n c e
with p r e t e n c e o f knowl e dg e (pr opri ae i gnor anti ae occulta ti o
c um os ten ta ti on e s a pi enti a e a pparen ti s
) As B a c on bitt e rly
.

s ays t he p re va ili ng mod e o f a rgum e nt in his tim e was :

,

this is affirme d by our su p e rio r s this is t h e c usto m ar y

o p i n ion ; this is t h e p o pul a r vi e w th e r e fo r e it must b e
a dmitt e d I t m a y s e e m but a sm a ll thi n g f o r a writ e r to
.

r e j e c t a uthority but o ne must r e fle c t on wh a t th at m e an t

,

in B ac on s ti me It m e ant absolut e r e volt a g ainst th e

’
.

whol e s p irit o f s c hol asti c ism it was t h e a ss e rtion o f fr e e dom

o f thought o f t h e c l a im o f s c i e n c e to p ush f o r w ard to its
,

c on c l u sions r e g a rdl e ss o f f anc i e d c ons e qu e n c e s with im

, ,

p li c i t trust in t h e gr a nd l aw th a t a l l truth is ulti m at e ly

h armonious Ove r a nd ove r ag a in Bac on dwe lls u p on t h e
.

b an e ful in flu e n ce o f a utho r ity and s p e aks o f it in t e r ms

,
"

that r e mind o ne strongly o f his n am e s ak e He points o u t .

th a t t he Fa the r s a ft e r all we r e m e n an d u s e d t h e s am e
, , ,

f ac ulty o f r e a son th a t m e n now p oss e ss H e im plo re s his '

c ont e m p or a ri e s to c onsid e r th a t th e i r a u thoriti e s not only

fa ll into e r r or b ut s p e nd gr e a t p a rt o f th e ir l a bour in r e futing

,

o n e a noth e r whi c h would not b e t h e c a s e if th e y w e r e in

,

fallibl e .And fin ally g e n e r a lizing his a rgum e nt h e m ak e s ,

t h e w e ighty obs e r v a tion th a t a utho r ity m a c o m p e l b e li e f

,
y ,

but c a nnot e nlight e n t h e unde rst a nding ( credi mus auctori tati ,

sed n on r o ter ea m i ntelli i mu s

p p g ) H e is willi n g
. th a t a l l
honour should b e p aid to t h e a n c i e n ts ; but a s he s a ys , ,

thos e who are yo u ng e r in orde r o f ti m e e nj o y t h e l abours ,

o f thos e who h a v e go n e b e f o r e th e m o j uni ores ta n to

Q u a n t , ,

perspi caci or es a m a x i m whi c h i t s e em s to m e ma y r a nk

, , ,

with Fr a n c is B ac on s fam ous a p o phth e gm a nti gui tas s e0 uli

’

, ,

j uventus mundi .

Thisstrong o pp osition to Authority e xt e nd s its e l f to all

‘

th a t r e sts on c ustom or p o p ul a r o p inion Bac on inde e d .

, ,

t Mo ra l P h i lo s oph y wa s fi rs t e di ed t b y B ri d g e s i n
'

P ar V II, 0 11 ,

1 8 97 .
14 R OG E R B A CON

h as tru e sava nt s c ont e m p t fo r t he pwf a num vulgus

a
’
.

Wh a t e ve r h e sto utly d e c l are s s e e m s tr ue to t h e m an y , ,

”
m u st n e c e s s ar ily b e fals e Th e c ommon p e o p l e how e ve r .
, ,

are not guilty o f t h e f ourth f au lt c o n ce a lm e nt o f ignor a n c e ,

a n d a ssu m p tion o f k n owl e dg e th at is t h e p e c uli ar pro pe rty

o f t h e l e a rn e d p r o fe s sors .

On t h e whol e th e n in this fi r st p a rt we c a n s e e B ac on
, ,

d e lib e ra t e ly r e j e c ti ng t h e whol e s pirit a n d m e thod o f

s c hol asti c ism H e h as s aid hims e l f o ff from c ont e m pora ry
.

p hiloso p hy a n d now p ro c e e ds to e volv e t h e syst e m o f

,

knowl e dge whi c h ought to b e substitut e d f o r it .

B e for e b e ginni ng his t a sk h e h a s to c o m e to t e rms with

t h e gr e a t s c hol a sti c study Th e ology ; this h e do e s in t h e ,

S e c ond P a rt o f his work It is not ve ry e a sy for us to r e aliz e

.

B ac on s p osition with r e g a rd to t h e qu e stion o f t h e r e l a tion

’

b e twe e n Philoso phy and Th e ology He do e s not s e e m t o .

h ave e nt e r e d with mu c h e arn e stn e ss on t h e m a tt e r a nd ,

som e tim e s h e is a littl e inc onsist e nt H e t ak e s up t h e usu a l .

p osition th a t a ll knowl e dg e is r e v e al e d in t h e S c ri p tur e s ,

b ut is th e r e o n ly im pli c itly a n d thus philoso phy h as a p l ac e ,

a longsid e o f th e ology a s its e x p on e nt Th e e nd o f all tru e .

p hiloso phy s a ys h e is to a rr ive at a knowl e dg e o f t h e

,

Cr e ator th r ough knowl e dg e o f t h e c r e a t e d world A b e tt e r .

d e finition h as s e ldom b e e n give n Th e ology furth e r h as .

, ,

n e e d o f philoso phy to prove its p rinc i pl e s oth e rwis e i nfi d els , ,

who do not ac c e p t t h e S cr i p tur e s c ould n e ve r b e c onvinc e d ,

o f t h e t r uth o f t h e Christi a n f a ith Th e r e is mu c h in this .

p ro p ositio n th a t r e qui r e s mor e c a r e ful h a ndling th a n B ac on

h as giv e n E vid e n tly how e v e r t h e p robl e m is not o ne o f
.
, ,

t h e high e st int e r e st fo r him .

P a rt I II Th e thi r d p art o f t h e Opus l a ys t h e first

.

ston e o f t h e n e w building I n ord e r to obt a in r e al know .

l e dg e we must study wh at Bac on c alls Gr amm ar wh a t we ,

should c all Philology for B ac on h as a wid e id e a o f Gr a mm a r

, .

I n p arti c ul a r t h e Gr e e k H e br e w Ch a ld a i c a n d Ar a bi c , , ,

l angua g e s must b e m a st e r e d for t h e S c ri p tur e s a n d t h e b e st ,

p hiloso phi c a l wo r ks a re writt e n in th e s e tongu e s The r e .

w e re tr ansl atio n s no do ubt t h e Bibl e h as b e e n tr a nsl at e d ,

Ar istotl e h ad b e e n tr an sl at e d B ut B ac on n e ve r we a ri e d in .

p ointing out how mis e r a bly d e fe c tive th e s e tr a nsl ations

were Of Aristotl e in e s p e c i al h e d e c l a r e d t h a t if h e h ad
.
I
, ,

t h e p ow e r h e would burn e v e r y book so mis e r a bl e h a d b e e n ,

[B ac o n c e rt ai nl y e xa gg e ra t e d t h e b a d ne ss o f t h e la t e r t ra nsl at i o ns
c f . Ma n d o nn e t S i ger de B r a ba n t ( 2 n d
, i 40 A G L] .
.
. . .
 LI F E AND wo m< s 15

t he x e c ution Th e r e is no doubt th at Bac on was right

e .

in this c riti c ism and t h e history o f som e o f t h e La tin

,

tr ansl a tions is s uffic i e nt to m ake the ir wo r thl e ssn e ss in

t e lligi bl e .In m a ny c a s e s th e y we r e tr a nsl a t e d f rom t h e
Ar abi c by wr e t c h e d Ar a bi c s c hol a rs ; whil e t h e Ar a bi c
ve rsions we r e not g e n e rally from t h e origin al Gr e e k Most .

fr e qu e ntly th e y w e r e f rom Syri ac tr a nsl a tions through ,

whic h a knowl e dge o f Aristotle fi r st p e n e tr a t e d to t he Ar a bs .

Thus t h e st e p s would b e : Origin a l Gr e e k Syri ac v e rsion , ,

Arabi c tr a nsl ation o f t he Syri ac La ti n ve r sion o f t h e Ar a bi c , .

I t is not wond e r ful th a t in too m a ny c a s e s Aristotl e wa s

inde e d tr a nsl a t e d a nd th a t th e r e should b e f ound in
his h a rde r works wh a t Ba c on c alls horribl e diffic ult i es
Ba c on hims e l f kn e w Gr e e k w e ll Among his un print e d .

works is a fragm e nt o f a Gr e e k gr am m a r ; a nd so e asy

‘

did h e think t h e l angu ag e th a t he pro fe ss e d hims e l f a bl e

to t e ac h a ny o ne to r e ad t h e ordin ary a uthors within thr e e
d ays For this bo ast h e h as b e e n muc h bl am e d P rantl
.
,

t h e histori a n o f Logi c with all t h e G e rm a n c a p ac ity f o r

,

hurling h ard n a m e s c a lls him a swi ndle r a nd a c h arl at a n

,

like his c e l e br a t e d n am e s ak e I think it p rob abl e th a t

t h e p a rti c ul a r p a ss ag e in t h e Opus T erti um h as b e e n som e
wh at misund e rstood and th at we must not int e r pre t t h e
,

l angu ag e ve ry stri c tly .

Th e Fourth p art o f th e Opus is in som e r e s p e c ts t h e

most r e m ark abl e In it B ac on h andl e s m ath e m a ti c s th e ir
.
,

utility for s c i e nc e and f or th e ology I t is fo r wh at h e s a ys .

h e r e th a t o ne would c l ai m highe st c r e dit fo r him Math e .

m at i cs h e c alls t h e g a t e a n d k e y o f t h e n atur a l s c i e n c e s ,

t h e a l p h a b e t o f philoso p hy In it a lon e do we h a ve p e r fe c t
.

a n d c om p l e t e d e monstr a tion Whil e th e r e for e m ath e m atic s

.

i s n e c e ss a ry fo r all s c i e n c e wh atso e ve r it is p a rti c ul a rly ,

n e e d ful a n d us e ful fo r n atur a l p hiloso phy Physi c ists .

s ays B ac on ought to know th at th e ir s c i e n c e is p owe rl e ss

,

u nl e ss th e y c all in t h e ai d o f m ath e m ati c s ( Na tur a l e s .

m undi s c i a nt quod l angue b unt in r e bus n a t ural i b us nisi ,

m at h e m at i c ae n o v e runt p ot e st a t e m — D e Coeles ti bus MS ) . .

2

This o p inion is not t a k e n u p loos e ly not thrown out by ,

c h an c e it is ground e d 0 11 a bro ad and c om pre h e nsive th e ory

o f n a tur a l ac tion For ac c ording to B ac on all n atur a l
.
, ,

p h e nom e n a a ll g e n e ra tion c h ange tr ans form ation must

, , , ,

[ P ri nt e d in 1 9 0 2 e d N o l a n a n d H i rs ch ]
, .

[ Ch arl e s Roge r B acon 1 37 n o t e : St e e l e Ope ra ha cten us i ne di ta

, , , , ,

F a so I V , p
. .
 16 R OG E R B A CON

be r e g arde d as th e r e sult t h e e ffe c t o f t h e e x e r c is e o f forc e , ,

by m a t e r i al a g e nts Ma tt e r an d Fo rc e in short are his .

, ,

f und a m e nt a l p h ysi c a l id e a s No w For c e a c c ording to him .

, ,

is invar i ably subj e c t to m ath e m atic a l l aw It is p ro p ag at e d .

,

or as h e c alls it m ulti p li e d u n i fo r mly and r e gul arly in s p ac e

, , ,

a n d ti m e a n d c a n c on s e q ue ntly b e e x p r e s s e d by lin e s a n d
,

figure s G e om e t ry i s the r e for e a bsol ut e ly n e c e s s ar y in orde r

.

to e x pl a in t h e ac tion o f n atur al a g e nts all n atura l philo

so p hy is ulti m at e ly math e m at i c al .
I

This is a wond e r ful st e p in a dv a n c e o f a n y pr e ce ding

Th e f o l l o wi ng p a ssa g e s m a y b e c i t e d in s up p o r t of w ha t i s h e re
sa i d

( I) O mn i s t
re s n a u ra l i s p ro d u c i t ur i n e s s e p e r e fli c i e n s et mat e
ria m i n q u a m o p e ra t u r
, ,
n a m h a e c d u o c o n c u rru n t p r i m o
A g e ns .

e n i m p e r s u a m v i r t u t e m m o v e t e t t r a n s m u t a t m at e ri a m u t fi a t r e s , .

S e d v i r t us e ffi c i e nt i s e t m a t e r i a e s oi r i n o n p o t e s t s i n e m a g n a m a th e
m a t i c a e p o t e st a t e s i c ut n e o i p s i e ffe c t u s p r o d u c t 1
, E t s i c p o t e st:
o s t e n d i q u o d n i h i l i n r e b u s s oi r i p o t e s t s i n e g e o me t r i a e p o t e s ta t e
, .

O mn e e n i m e ffi c i e n s a g i t p e r s u a m v i r t u t e m q u a m f a c i t in mat e ri a m ,

s ub je c t a m e t h a e c v i r t u s v o c at ur s i m i l i t u d o e t i m a g o e t s p e c i e s , , ,

e t m ul t i s n o mi n i b u s e t h a e c s p e c i e s f a c i t o m n e m o p e ra t i o n e m

h uju s m u n d i n a m o p e ra t u r i n s e n s u m i n i n t e l l e c t u m e t i n t o t a m , ,

m un d i m a t e r i a m p e r r e r u m g e n e ra t i o n e m q u i a u nu m e t i d e m fi t a b ,

t
a g e n e n a ura l i t i n q u o d c u n q u e O p e re t u r , q u i a n on h ab e t d e l i b e ra t i o
ne m , et id eo q u i c q u i d e i o c c u r ra t f a c i i d e m t .
— Op M aj .
p 6 6 [e d .
‚ . .

B ri d g e s i , . 1 Th e sa me at gr e a t e r l e n g th i n t h e D e M u lti pli c ati on e

S pec i eru m .

(2) g e o m e t ri c a l i a re s p e ct u
Ci r c a v e ro ,
r e ru m et sc i e n t i a rum
s c i e n d a r u m co n s i d e ra v i
q u o,d r e s o m n i s q u a e ,
fit i n h o c mu n d o , e xi t i n

e sse per e ffi c i e n s e t m a t e r i al e p r i n c i p i u m , q u o p r o d u c i t ur p e r v i r
ex

t ut e m e ffi oi e n t i s , e t ideo t ota o ri g i n a l i s r e ru m oo g n i t i o d e p e n d e t e x

p ar te e ffi c i e n t i s et m a te ri a e .
— Opu s T e rt .
( Op .
“

I n ed .

—8
pp . 10 7 .

3) N e c m i r um s i o m ni a s c i a nt u r p e r m at h e m at i ca m , e t o m ni a
t
p e r h a n c q ui a o m n e s s c i e n t i a e s u n a n n e x a e l i c e q ua e l i b e t s i m ul c u m
, ,
t
t
h a c h a b e s ua m p 1 0 p r i e t a t e m U n d e q u a e l ib e t h a b e p o e s a e m i n
. t t t t
a li a m , n e o t t
p o e s u na s c i r i s i n e a l i a . Et n e c e ss e e s t o m n i a s oi ri p er
h a nc s oi e n t i a m q u i a o m n e s a c i o n e s
, t
m s p ec i e r um r e ru m fi unt s e c un d u
'

e t v i r t ut u m m u l t i li ca t i o n e m a b a e n t i b u s h u us m u n d i i n m a t e
p g j
rias
p a t i e nt e s ; e t l e g e s h uju s m o d i m ul t i p l i c a t i o nu m n o n s c i u n t ur
n i s i a p e r s e c t i v a n e o a l ib i s u n t t ra d i t a e a d h u c u m t a m e n n on
p ,
c

s o l u m s i n t c o mm u n e s a c t i o n i i n v i s u m s e d i n o m n e m s e ns u m e t i n , ,

"
t o t a m m u n d i m a c h i n a m e t i n c o e l e s t i b u s e t i n i n f e r i o r i b u s — Op
, . .

I n ed .
[ B r e w e r] p , .
 LI F E AND WO RKS 17

thinke r Th e m e r e e nun c i a tion o f su c h a tho ught is s uffi c i e nt

.

to s e c ure fo r Bac on a high pl ac e a mong tho s e who h a v e

writt e n 0 11 s c i e ntifi c m e thod I t by no m e a ns d e tr ac t s fro m.

his m e rit to say as Prantl s a ys tha t G r o s s e t et e was an a bl e

, ,

math e m a tici a n ; fo r Gross e t et e so far as we k n ow m a d e

no s uc h a ppli c ation o f his m ath e mati c a l knowl e dg e How
, ,

e ve r im p e r fe c tly B ac on r e a liz e d his g r e a t c on ce p t ion a nd ,

it must b e r e m e mb e re d how w e a k t he i n str um e nt t h e n was ,

a nd how littl e was p r e p a r e d fo r its a pp li c a tion h e a t all ,

e ve nts thr e w out a fr uit ful thought o f whi c h mod e rn ,

physi c a l s c i e n ce is b ut t h e e x e m p lific a t i o n .

So highly do e s Bac o n e sti m at e m ath e m a ti c s th at h e

m ak e s logi e e ntir e ly s ubordin at e to it This a tt e m pt to .

show that logie d e als e ss e nti ally with qu a ntiti e s a nd is ,

the re fo re m ath e m ati c a l i n c h ara c t e r is both h old a nd ,

subtl e H e will not a llow th at logi c al is synonymo u s with

.
‘

d e monstr ative Math e m a ti c s a lo n e c an give a bsolut e

.

ce rt ainty ( i n s ol a ma the ma ti c a est certi tud o s i ne du bi ta ti one )

d e m onstr ation is in e s s e n c e m ath e m a ti c al To logi e ind e e d .
, ,

Bac on is r a th e r u n just H e a dva nc e s a g a i n st it ar g u m e n t s

.

si mil a r to thos e a ft e rwa rds e m ploye d by Lo c k e Logi c .

,

h e s a ys in e ffe c t is inn a t e we r e a son p e r fe c tly we ll with

,

out it .

Th e Fi fth p art o f t h e Opus M d jus tr e a ts a t g r e a t l e ngth

o f P e r s pe c tiv e o r o p ti e s On e c a n r e a dily und e rst a nd how
.

this sho u ld b e fo r B ac on t h e ve r y ty pe o f physi c a l s c i e nc e .

I t was e x ac tly c on for m e d to m ath e m ati c a l l a w ; in fa c t ,

o ne m a
y s a y th a t his gr a nd id e a o f a ll p hysi c a l s c i e n c e as

m athe m ati c a l in n ature was si mply an infe re n c e fr om wh a t

was so p al pa bl e i n o pti e s I t is not n e c e s s a r y to e ri t e r i nto
'

t h e d e t a ils o f t h e tr e a tis e whi c h b e gins with t h e p sy c hology

,

o f p e r c e p tion th e n t ake s u p t h e a na tomy and phys iology

,

o f t h e e ye a nd fin a lly dis c us s e s a t g r e a t l e n g t h vision

,

in a r ight lin e t h e l aws o f r e fi e e t i o n a n d r e frac tion t h e

, ,

c onst r u c tion a n d o ti s f m irro s l e n s e s a n d b u r ning

p p
r e r e o r , ,

gla ss e s The re is not mu c h a dva n c e b e yond Alh a ze n

. .
2

P a r t V I Of all t he parts o f th e Opus M d jus t h e sixth

.
,

is t he most i mpo r t a nt It tr e ats o f e x pe ri m e nt a l s c i e nc e

.
,

d omi n a o mni um s ci enti a r u m et

fi ni s toti us s ecul ati on i s
p .

Without ex pe r i e n c e , as Bac on
o nst a ntly r e pe ats nothi n g
c ,

c an be known with c e rt ainty Ev e n t h e c on c lusions o f

.

Op M aj us 6 0
.
[ e d B r id g e s i
, .
, .

2
[ O n t hi s e f t h e r e m a r k s o f B ri d g e s I n t ro d uc t i o n pp l xx i i — l xx ii i
, , .
,

an d t h e a rt i c l e s o f W i e d e ma nn V o g l a n d W ü rs ch m i d t i n t hi s v o l u m e ]
, ,

16 8 9
C
18 R OG E R B A CO N

m athe m ati c al p hysi c s r e ac h e d by a rgum e nt from c e rt a in

,

in i l s m u st b e v e r i fi e d b e f o r e t h e m ind c a n r e st s a t i s fi e d
p r c p e ,
.

T o this g r e a t s c i e n c e a ll t h e o t h e rs a re subsidi a ry ; th e y a re
to it a nci ll ae or h and m a ids a n e x pre ssion th a t c ur iously ,

r e minds o n e o f Fr a nc is B ac on Th e r e asoning in fa vour .

o f e x p e ri e n c e is w e ll worth quoting a t l e n gth Th e r e are .

two m od e s i n whi c h we ac quir e k n owl e dg e a rgum e nt a n d ,

e x p er i m e nt Argum e nt shut s up t h e que stio n an d m ak e s

.
,

us shut i t u p too but it give s no p r oo f nor do e s it r e m ove ,

do ub t a n d c a us e t h e mind to r e st in t h e c ons c ious p oss e ssion

,

o f t r u th u n l e s s t h e truth is dis c ov e r e d by wa y o f e x p e ri e n c e
, ,

e g
. .i f a ny m a n who h a d n e ve r s e e n fi r e w e r e to p rov e
by s a tis fac to r y a rgu m e nt th a t fi re b urns a nd d e stroys
things t h e h e ar e r s m ind would not r e st sat is fi e d nor
,
’

wo uld h e a void fi re ; u n til by p utting his h and or som e

c o m bustibl e thing i n to it h e p rov e d by a c tu a l e x p e rim e nt
,

wh a t t h e a rg um e nt l a id down ; but a ft e r t h e e xp e r im e nt
h a d b e e n m a d e his m i n d r e c e iv e s c e rt a inty a n d r e sts in
,

t h e p oss e ssion o f t r uth whi c h c o u ld not b e give n by a r gu

,

m e n t b ut only by e x p e ri e n c e And this is t h e c a s e e ve n in .

m a t h e m a ti c s wh e re th e r e i s th e st r ong e st d e monstr a tion

,
.

Fo r l e t a ny o n e h a ve t h e c l e a r e st d e monstr a tio n a bout a n

e quil a t e r a l tri a ngl e without e x p e r i e n c e o f it his mind will ,

n e ve r lay hold o f t h e probl e m u ntil h e h as ac tu ally b e for e

him t h e int e rs e c ting e irc le s and t h e lin e s dr a wn fr om t he p oint
o f s e c tion to t h e e xt r e m iti e s o f a str a ight lin e He will .

the n ac c e p t t h e c onc lusion with all s atis fac tio n ( Op M aj . .

p 445 [e d B r idg e s ii
. .
,
.

Thi s i m p ort an t p a ss a g e it s e e m s to m e m a rks a distin c t

, ,

a dva n c e in t h e p hiloso p hy o f s c i e n c e Th e s c i e n c e o f th a t .

ti me p ro c e e d e d wholly per a rgumentum ; v e rifi c at i on was

u n kn own No t o n ly howe ve r do e s B ac on r e c ogniz e t h e
.
, ,

n e c e s sity for e xpe r i m e nt for obs e rva tion at fi rs t—h a nd but

, ,

h e h as a c l e a r a p p r e c i a tion o f t h e tru e n a tur e o f s c i e n tifi c

v e r ifi c at i o n H e h as a l re ady e x p ound e d his id e al o f p hysi c a l
.

s c i e nc e t h e appli c ation o f m athe m ati c s to d e t e r m in e t h e

,

l a ws o f for c e an d to d e d uc e c on c lusions fro m th e s e l aws

b ut h e is p e r fe c tly a wa r e th at th e s e g e ne r a l c on c lusions
m ust b e t e st e d by c om p ar ison with things must b e v e r ifi e d ,
.

Th e f u n c tion o f e x p e rim e nt a l s c i e n c e is in a word V e rifi e a , ,

tion . This S c i e n c e s a ys B ac on h a s thr e e g re a t ,

p r e r og ative s i n r e s p e c t to all t h e oth e r s c i e n c e s The first .

is th a t it i n ve stig a t e s th e ir c o n c lusions by e x p e r i e n c e
— .

Fo r t h e p rin c i p l e s o f t h e oth e r s c i e n ce s ma y b e known by

e x p e ri e n c e but t h e c onc lusions are dr awn from th e s e
,
20 R OG E R BA CON

s atis fac tory p ortion o f t h e work Ye t i n t h e fe w p a g e s .

d e vot e d e x p re ssly to politi c al philoso phy we find t h e c uriou s ly

mod ern id e a th at t h e a g e d p oor should b e m aint ain e d by
t h e St a t e .
‘

Th e Opus M ajus a n d Opu s M i n us tog e th e r with two ,

ve rsions o f t h e D e M ulti pli ca ti one S peci eru m a nd a

s e p a r a t e tr e a tis e on Al c h e m y we r e s e nt to t h e p o p e by t h e 3
,

h a nd o f B ac on s young p u pil John appar e ntly e arly in 1 2 6 8

’

,
“

I t is doubt ful wh e th e r t h e Opus T erti um wa s e v e r s e nt .

Cl e m e nt IV di e d Nov e mb e r 2 9 1 2 68 ,
.

About this ti m e B ac on s e e m s to h ave r e turn e d to Ox f ord ,

wh e r e h e wrot e ( pe rh aps now p e r h ap s e a rli e r ) his Intro duc ,

tion and Not e s to p s e udo Aristot e li an S ecretum S ecretorum -

.
5

To this p e riod also b e long t h e Gr e e k a n d H e br e w Gr a mm a rs 6

,

and a f r a gm e nt g e n e r ally known as Compend i u m S tudi i

P hi l os ophi a e Th e l a tt e r was writt e n wh e n t h e P ap a l S e e

.

h a d b e e n v a c a nt m a ny y e a rs but during t h e p o nt i fi c a t e o f ,

Gr e gory X i e about 1 2 7 2 , it pro fe ss e s to d e a l with four

. .
7

Op M aj . .
( B ri d g e s) i i 2 5 1 , . .

Op Te r t. .
( B re we r) p 38 Op , . . T ert .
( Li tt l e ) , p p 34 5 .
— Op T e rt . .

( B r e we r) , p 99 T ra c t a t um d e s p e c i e b us
.
q u e m d up l i c i t e r m i si
v ob i s , e t t t e r io m o d o i n c e p i s e d n on p o ni t c o n su mm a 1 e
Op T ert .
p 82 .
( Li tt l e )
C om N a t ( S e e l e ) p 2 9 8 , . . . t , . .

t
F a h e r M a n d o nn e t i n Rog e r B a c on e t l a c omp os i ti on de s tr o i s
Opus pp 4 1 —1 6 E
( xt t
r a i d.e l a R e vu e n e o -
s col as ti que d e ph i l os op h i e
’

f év e t mai
. t t t
p o i n s o ut h a t h e r e f e r e n c e s t o t h e c a p ure o f t
B a g d a d i n Op M aj P a r t s I V a n d V I I ( B ri d g e s i
. .
, , . 266 ii
38 9 .

i m p ly t h a t B a c o n w a s wr i t i n g P a t I V i n 1 2 6 7 a n d r , P ar t V II in 1 26 8 .

B acon re f e rs to th e s e n d i ng o f t h e C ompe n di um t o t h e p o p e i n Comp .

S tu d i i P hi l .
p ( Br e we r , .

5
S ec . S ecre toru m ( e d p 10 I n il l o . S t e e l e) , . . a nn o ( 12 64) et

s e q u e n t i b us f u e r u n t m a x irn e t urb a t i o n e s m u nd i
’
&c , . of . ib i d .
, p 39
. .

5
Ed i ted H ir sch Ca m b r i d g e 1 9 0 2
b y N ola n Th e se w e r e n o t
an d , , .

wr i tt e n a t t h e t i m e o f t h e c o mp o si t i o n o f t h e Op Tert ( e d B r e we r) . . .
,

pp 6 5 8 8
.
,Th e Gr e e k G ra m m a r i s c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e C omp S tud i i
. .

P hi l .
(e d . Bre we r , p .

7
B re we r , pp .
399 4 14
, . Cl e m e n t I V d i e d N o v e mb e r 2 9, 1268

G re g ory X wa s e l e c t e d Sep t e mb e r 1 , 1 2 7 1 , a n d c o n s e c ra e d t M a rc h 2 7 ,

127 2 ; di e d J a nu a ry 10 , 1276 .
 LI F E AND W ORKS 21

p oints ( I ) t h e v a lu e o f knowl e dg e in s p e c ul a tio n a n d

pr ac ti c e ( 2 ) th e qu e stion wh a t p a rts O f knowl e dge a re
e ss e nti a l ( )
3 t h e m e thods o f ac quiring knowl e dg e ( 4) t h e
im pe dim e nts to knowl e dg e and how to a void or r e m e dy
the m I t in c lud e s viol e nt a tt ac ks on all e st a t e s o f t he world
.

— the
p pa a l c ourt a ll ,
r e ligious ord e rs without e xc e p tion ,

t h e c l e rgy and unive rsiti e s kings a nd p rin ce s a nd l awye rs , ,

the n follows a diss e rt a tion on t h e study o f l anguag e s in ,

t h e midst o f whi c h t h e tr e a tis e br e a ks o ff I t is doubt ful .

wh e the r this tr e a tis e was int e nd e d to form pa rt o f t h e

e n c yc lo p a e di c work on a ll t h e s c i e n c e s whi c h to j udg e from , ,

t he f ragm e nts o f it th a t r e m a in was writt e n more s chol a s ti ca , ,

in a m uc h mor e im pe rson a l way Th e s e fr agm e nts we re .

c om p os e d p artly b e for e a nd p a rtly a ft e r t h e Opus M ajus :

the y inc or p or at e whol e s e c tions o f t h e works s e nt to the p o pe ,

a nd p rob a bly a numb e r o f diss e rt a tions whi c h B a c on wrot e

origin ally fo r t he p o pe but e x c lude d from t h e fin a l dr afts o f

,

t he Opus M d ju s Opus M i nu s a n d Opus Terti um

, , A ske t c h .

o f c ont e nts whi c h B a c on dr e w up fo r t h e e ncyc lo p ae dic

work may b e give n with t h e wa rning th at Bac on hims e l f

,
2

rar e ly a dhe re d to his own pl ans .

The work was to c onsist o f f our volum e s d e a ling with t he ,

princi pa l br a n c h e s o f knowl e dg e t h e first or introdu c tory

book o f e ac h volum e d e a lt with t h e g e ne r a l prin c ipl e s o f t h e
bra n c h o f knowl e dg e und e r dis c ussion t h e r e m a ining books
b e ing de vot e d to t he s pe c i al s c i e ne e s forming t he br a nc h ; thus
V ol I Gr a m m a r a nd Logi c
.
,
.

( N o f urth e r d e t a ils giv e n in B ac on s sk e t c h )

’
.

V ol I I Ma th e m a tic s B ook i G e n e r al Princ ipl e s or

.
, , ,

Communi a M a themati ca e : B ooks ii— vi S pe c ial ,

Ma th e mati ca l S c i e n c e s .

H i s q ua l w i t h t h e l wy
rr e we n t v e y d p : h e h e ld t ha t
a e rs r ee

t h ey we e d e st o y i ng t h Ch u h whi ch h a d b co m a gr e a t l ga l
r r e rc , e e e

i ns t i t ut i o n a n d lo s t i t s s pi i t ual i t y : s e e r
g Op Tert ( B re w e ) , e . .
, . . r ,

pp . 8 4
—8 C m po S tu d i
. i P hi l ( B w e ) pp 4 . 8 —2
5 re r , . 1 .

Com N t ( d S t le ) p p 1 3
. a . e . ee , .
, .
22 R OG E R B A CON

V ol . III ,
Physi c s Philoso phy B ook i
and Na tur a l ,

Commu ni a N a tura l i u m B ook ii O n H e a v e nly ,

B odi e s : B ook iii On t h e El e m e nts a n d I n a ni m a t e ,

Co m p o u nds B ook iv On V e g e t a bl e s a nd Anim a ls ,

.

O r ( a slightly di ffe r e nt s e h e m e ) B ooks ii iii a nd iv , ,

a r e to tr e a t o f t h e s e v e n n a t u r a l s c i e n c e s ( I ) O p ti c s , ,

( 2 ) Judic i al a nd Pr ac ti c a l Astronomy ( 3) B arology , ,

(4) Al c h e m y ( 5 ) Agri c ultur a l Ch e m istry (6 ) Me di c in e

, , ,

( 7 ) x p e r im e nt a l S c i e n c e
E .

V ol IV Me t aphysi c s a nd Mo r als
.
, .

( No furth e r d e t a ils give n ) .

It is im p ossibl e to s ay how m u c h o f this gr e a t work wa s

writt e n it is not e asy to s ay how m u c h e xists Th e diffi .

c ulty is in c r e a s e d by B a c on s in c o rr igibl e h a bit o f b e gi n n ing

’

a c c ording to o n e s c h e m e a n d th e n wh e n h e gr e w d i ss at i s fi e d , ,

or lost int e r e st b e ginning a fre sh on a noth e r s c h e m e using

, ,

t h e s a m e m a t e ri a l ( slightly a lt e r e d ) but in a di ffe r e nt

c onn e xion Howe ve r we m ay s ay with c e r t a inty th a t
.
,

a fr a gm e nt o f t h e Commun i a M a the ma ti c a e e xists p e rh ap s

2
,

in two r e c e nsions t h e gr e a t e r p ar t o f t h e Communi a

'

N a tura l i um a nd o f t h e D e Coel es ti bus Th e subst a n c e o f .

3

som e o f t he oth e r p ar ts will b e found in v ario u s works o f

Ba c on : e g b arology is o ne O f t h e s u bj e c ts o f t h e T r a cta tus
. .

tri um ver borum Me di c i n e is d e a lt with in a n umb e r o f

.
4

sho r t tr e at i s e s a n d al c h e my is e x p ound e d in t h e (fra gme n

,
S

t a ry) Opus M i nus in t h e Opus Terti um a nd e ls e wh e r e

6
, ,
7
.

C om N a t 1, n —
. .
, p . .
, pp .
5 9 .

An edi tion i s b e i n g p re p a re d b y Mr S t e e l e
. and P ro f e sso r D E . .

Smi h t .

3
t e d b y S t e e l e Oper a hacte nus i ne di ta f a sc i i
Ed i , , .
,
111, W .

P ri n t e d F r a n k f u t 1 6 0 3 a n e w e di t i o n i s b e i n g
r , p r e pa re d b y
Mo n si e u J A Co l r . . .

5
I n t h e D e E rr or i bu s M e d i cor u m o c c u rs t h e ph ra se H o e e st
t
p r i n c i p a li t e r i n t e n t um qu a n um a d p e c ca a t p h i l o so p h i e q u e r e d un
d an t w
i n t h e ol o gi c a m t t t t h e t re at i se m ay b e
h i c h s u gg e s s ha
c o nn e ct e d wi th t h e g o u o f t r e a t i se s w ri tt e n f o
r Cl e me nt IV r
p .

5
Bd B re w e r pp 3 1 3— 1 5 35 9 — 8 9
.
, . Ed L i tt l e pp 8 0 —9 , .
7
.
, . .
 LI FE AND wo w<s 23

In 1 2 77 o cc urr e d t he gre a t c a t astro phe o f B a c on s li fe ’

.

The Unive rsity o f P a ris h a d fo r ye a rs b e e n distr ac t e d by

p hiloso p hi c a l a n d th e ologi c a l qu a rr e ls a n d by struggl e s ,

b e twe e n t h e s e c ul a r m a st e rs a nd th e m e ndi c a nt orde rs

in t he fac ulty o f th e ology On J anu ary 1 8 1 2 7 7 Po p e .
, ,

Gr e gory X ord e r e d th e B isho p o f P aris to inquir e into and

r e p ort on t h e e rrors whi c h dist urb e d t h e p ur e str e ams o f
wisdom in t h e unive rsity St e ph e n Te m p ie r b e for e h e
b e c am e bisho p h ad b e e n Ch an c e llo r o f t h e Churc h and
Unive rsity in whic h c a pac ity h e h ad b e e n not e d fo r his
,

a rbitr a ry a n d tyr a nni c a l m e a sur e s H e now in c onj un c tion .

with c e rt a in m ast e rs o f th e ology s e iz e d t h e o pp ort unity o f

a tt ac ki i1g p rogr e ssiv e a nd ind e p e nd e nt tho u ght in a ll
dir e c tions in a d e c r e e issu e d Mar c h 7 1 2 7 7 This b e gins ,
?

by d e c l aring th at stud e nts in a rts e xc e e ding t h e limits o f

the ir pro pe r fac ulty pr e sum e d to dis c uss in t h e s c hools
c e rt ain e x e c r a bl e e rrors e num e r a t e d b e low : f o r th e y s ay
that th e s e things are tru e a c c ording to p hiloso phy b ut not ,

acc o r ding to t h e Ca tholi c f a ith as though th e r e a re two ,

truths and as tho ugh th e r e m ay b e truth in t h e s ayings o f

d amne d g e ntil e s c ontr ar y to t h e truth o f holy s c r i ptur e .
’

All m aint aining th e s e e rrors or a tt e nding l e c tur e s in whi c h

th e y are t a ught are e x c o m muni c at e d unl e ss within s e ve n d ays
the y c on fess to t h e bisho p or t h e c h an c e llor in whi c h c as e ,

the y will b e p unishe d ac c ording to th e ir faults V a rio us .

books o f m agi c are th e n c ond e mn e d and a like s e nt e n c e ,

p ss e d on a ll who t e ac h or a tt e nd l e c tur e s 0 11 s uc h s u bj e c ts
a .

Th e n follows a list o f 2 1 9 c ond e mn e d e r rors Enum e r a t e d .

in t he wild e st c onfusion th e s e inc l ude do c trine s not only

,

o f t h e Av e rroist a rtists but o f t h e D omini c a n th e ologi a ns

not only o f Sige r d e B rab a nt but o f Thom as Aq uin a s .

Char t . Un i v . P ari s 1, no .
47 1 .On the wh o l e s ub e cj t , se e

Ma n d on n e t S i ger
, de B r a ba n t 1 c h a p i x ( 2 nd e d
. .
, L o uv a i n , 19 1 I )
.

Cha rt Un i v P a ri s
. . .
,
i, no .
47 3 ; Ma n d o nn e t S i g er de B ra ba n t
, ,

11. 1 7 5 —9 1.
24 R OG ER BA CON

Som e o f the m may h ave b e e n dir e c t e d ag a inst Ba con *

e g Error 1 5 0 is
. . Th at a man ought not to b e c ont e nt with
,

a utho r ity in ord e r to h a v e c e rt a inty on a n y qu e stion

’
.

Error 1 5 1 is I n ord e r th a t a m a n m ay h a ve c e rt ainty o f

,

a ny c on c lusion h e ought to b e b a s e d on p rin c i pl e s known

,

by hims e l f S e ve ra l o f the m are dir e c t e d a g ainst t he b e lie f

.
’

in a strology : e g 1 43 Diffe r e nt signs in t h e h e a ve n signi fy

. .
,

diffe r e nt c onditions in me n both o f s piritu al gi fts and o f

t e m pora l things No 2 0 6 Th a t he alth si c kne ss li fe and .
, , , ,

d e ath are a ttribut e d to t h e p osition o f t h e st ars and t h e

a s p ec t o f f ortun e No 1 5 4 Th a t our will is subj e c t to t h e .
,

p ow e r o f h e a v e nly bodi e s N o 1 67 T h a t fro m signs .

,

( in t h e h e a v e ns ) f utu r e e v e nts o f v a rious kinds c an b e

p r e di c t e d
’
.

B a c on lik e his c ont e m p or a ri e s was a thorough b e li e v e r

, ,

in a strology inde e d wh e n t h e e arth was r e g arde d a s t he ,

c e ntr e o f a s ph e ri c a l a n d limit e d unive rs e it was im p ossibl e ,

not to b e lie ve th at t h e motions of t h e he ave nly we r e followe d

by c orre s ponding c h a ng e s in t e rr e stri al bodi e s B ut B acon .

i s a lw a ys insisting th a t though thos e i nflue n ce s work un

hind e r e d in t he in anim at e world th e y are in t h e c as e of ,

m an limit e d by t h e fr e e dom o f t h e will th e y a ffe c t only

t e m pe ram e nt th e y m ay in c lin e a m an to a parti c ul a r cours e
o f a c tion th e y c a nnot c om p e l him b e c aus e t h e will is f r e e
‘
.
, ,

B acon di ffe rs from most o f his c ont e m p or ari e s in t h e

thoroughne ss with whi c h h e inve stig at e d t he subj e c t : h e
fr e qu e ntly r e buk e s thos e who a rgu e d ( v e ry wis e ly) th a t
t h e c om pl e xity o f t h e subj e c t was too gr e at to p e rmit o f

a ny ce rt a in r e sults h e r e a d a nd c om p a r e d t h e a uthoriti e s
2
,

e g Op M aj
. .
( B r i d g e s) i 2 40
. . Op Ter t ( Li tt l e ) p 4 Co mp
, . . .
, . .

S tud i i P hi l ( B r e w e r) p 4 2 2
.
, . .

Cf . Op M aj ( B r i d g e s ) i 394 A l so D e E r ror i bus M e d i c or u m (M S )

.
, . .

Th e f o l lo wi n g
p a s sa g e f r o m P e c h a m s Ca n ti cu m P a upe ri s p ro
’

D i lecto ( e d Q uara e c hi p 1 36 ) i s i n e r e s i n g a s c o n a i n i n g a c l e a r
.
, . t t t
a ll us i o n t o B a c o n : Au d i a p ro i n d e l a ud e m a t h e ma t i c a e e i ns t
g y mna s i a i nt r o i v i i lli c i e b a r t a m e m p a ululum i lla m a t h e m a t i c a e
 LI FE AND WO RKS 25

c om pile d astronomic al t a bl e s and studi e d history to e st ab ,

lish t he e ffe c ts o f c onst e ll ations and c om e ts ; and he did not

shrink from a pplying the s c i e nc e to t he e luc idation o f t he
found ations o f r e ligions .
‘

His attitud e to m agic is m or e individu al While showing .

up unm e r c i ful ly c h a rl a t a ns and swindl e rs h e p oints out th at ,

m any things are c onsid e r e d m agi c al whi c h are m e r e ly the

r e sult o f som e unknown p owe r o f a rt or n atur e : thus t he
m agne t must a ppe a r m agi c al to pe o pl e who know no b e tt e r .

Wh at p owe r a g ain i f any h a ve in c a nt a tions a nd c h arms

, ,

Wha t is the e x pl an a tion o f t he wonde r ful p owe r o f words

All t he mirac le s sinc e t he world b e g a n a lmost h ave b e e n , ,

wrought by words It was unr e ason abl e to prohibit t he

.
’

study o f th e se things on t h e ground th at a knowle dg e o f

the m would in t he h a nds o f b ad me n produc e e vil re sults
, ,
.

Anti c hrist would c e rt ainly know all about the m a nd we ,

must b e pr e par e d to m e e t him The whol e que stion o f t he .

m agi cal s c i e n c e s should b e inve stig at e d by c om pe t e nt

me n s pe ci ally li c e ns e d by t h e p o pe ?
A c riti c ism o f th e de c r e e o f t he B isho p o f Paris was soo n
i ssu e d und e r t h e n a m e o f S eculum A s tr on omi ae whi c h h as
p ,

b ee n g e ne r ally a s c rib e d t o Alb e rtus Magnus and print e d

a mong his works it e mbodie s howe ve r,t h e vi e ws o f B ac on
5
,

0 11 a strology a nd m a gi c a n d was prob ably writt e n e ith e r

,

"
by him or und e r his ins pir atio n As to t he books o f n e c ro
p ar e ,t q ua e exmo t u s i d e rum c oll i gi t p r a e s a g i a f ut u ro r um Co n .

s i d e ra n s v e r o i l l a m n o n d e m o n s t ra t i o n i b us d e d u c i s e d e x p e r i m e n t i s ,

f ri v o l i s i n n i t i s c i e n s e t i a m e x i ll i n s n e g o t ii p e ri t i s si m i s e ffi c a c i a m
, ,

s i d e r a m s u p e r h a b e n t e s l i b e r u m a rb i t r i u m e s s e i n t e 1 p o ss ib i l e e t

n e c e s s a r i u m p o ss e q u e s a p i e n t e m s i d e r i b u s d o m i n a r i v i d i a s i g ni s c o e l i
, ,

n o n e sse m e t u e n d u m v a n a q u e r e p u t a v i o p e r a e t r i s n d i g na &c .

Op M ai i 2 5 3—6 9 2 8 9
.
, . Op T e r t ( e d Li tt l e ) p 1 4
, . . .
, . .

2
Op . T e rt .
( B re w e r) , pp . 6—
9 9 ; Op T e r t . .
( Li tt l e ) , pp . 1 5— 1 8 ;
D e P otes ta te A rti s et N a tu rd e w
( B re e r) pp 5 2 3 , . et seq .

5
'

A lber ti M ag n i Oper a Omn i a e d B o rg n e t 6 2 9 e t seq

, .
, x . .

S e e M a nd o n n e t R o g e r B a c o n e t l e S p e c u l u m A s t ro n o m i a e
’

( Re vue
’

n e o-s co la s ti que , ao üt
26 R OG ER BA CON

m an c y s ays th e writ e r it would b e b e tt e r to k e e p th e m

, ,

th a n to d e stroy th e m Many o f t h e books c ond e mn e d

.

c ont a in n othing a g a inst t h e Ca tholi c fa ith ; nor is it

p e r h a p s just th a t e
p po l e who h a v e n e v e r tou c h e d th e m
sho uld pr e sum e to j udg e the m It was an o pe n r e pudi ation .
’

o f e c c l e si a sti c a l a uthority .

T ow a rds t h e e nd o f 1 2 7 7 John o f V e rc e lli Mast e r G e n e r a l ,

-

o f t h e Fri ars Pre ac h e rs a nd J e rom e o f As c oli

,
Minist e r ,

G e n e r a l o f t h e Fri ars Minor m e t in P aris to d e vis e m e asur e s

,

f o r a ll a ying t h e s c a nd a lous qua rr e ls b e twe e n t h e D omini c a n

an d Fr a n c isc a n O rd e r s Th e y d e c r e e d a mong oth e r things
.

th at t he fri a rs o f both Ord e rs should abst ain from mut ual

d e tr ac tions ; a n d a ny fri ar who was f o und by word or
d e e d to h a ve o ffe nd e d a fri ar Of t h e oth e r Ord e r should
r e c e ive from his Provin c i al su c h p unishm e nt a s ought to
s atis fy t he o ffe nd e d broth e r Rog e r Bac on h ad c e rt a inly
.
’

o ffe nd e d t h e l e ading Domini c ans a nd if h e h ad also att ac ke d ,

m e mb e rs o f his own Ord e r with a lmost e qu al ve h e m e n c e ,

this would not m ak e t h e l att e r l e ss willing to give him up

a s a s ac r ifi e e t o th e ir riv a ls .

This Minist e r G e n e r a l broth e r J e r o m e ( in t h e wo r ds o f

t h e Fr a n c is c a n Chron i cl e of the XX I V Gen e r al s ) by t h e
2

a dvi c e of m any fri ars c ond e m n e d an d r e p rob at e d t h e

t e a c hing o f Fri a r Rog e r B ac on o f Engl a nd m ast e r o f s a c r e d ,

th e ology as c ont aining som e sus pe c t e d nov e lti e s 0 11 a c c ount

, ,

o f whi c h t h e s a m e Rog e r was c ond e mn e d t o prison ,

c omm a nding all t h e fri a rs th a t non e o f th e m should m aint a in

this t e ac hing but should avoid it as r e prob a t e d by t h e
Or d e r. O n this m a tt e r h e wrot e a lso to Po p e Ni c hol a s ( II I )
in ord e r th at by his authority th at d ang e rous t e ac hing might
b e c om pl e t e ly su p pr e ss e d
’
.

Th e t e ac hing and t h e novelti e s are not d e fin e d by t h e

c hroni c l e r but we may in fe r th at t h e c au s e s o f Bac on s
,
’

im prisonm e nt w e re his c ont e m pt for authority his att ac ks ,

Ch r o m XX I
. V Gen .
’
i n A n a l F ra n c
. , i ii 36 5
. .

A n a l F ra n c
.
,
i ii .
36 0 .
28 R OG E R BA CON

a mong whi c h is undue r e li an c e 0 11 a u t hority a nd th e n ,

p ro c e e ds to t h e e st a blish m e nt o f truths this part is o c c u pie d

with a dis c ussion o f t h e m isund e rst a ndings a nd the r e al
m e anings o f t he t e rms us e d b e for e this dis c ussion is
finish e d t he work br e aks o ff It m ay b e noti c e d th a t Rog e r .

at t h e e nd o f his li fe go e s b a c k to his e a rly r e minis c e n c e s

t h e t e a c hing o f th a t utt e r fool (s tul ti ssi mu s) F r i a r Ri c h a rd

o f Cornw a ll in 1 2 5 0 an d t h e l e c t u r e s o f St
,
Edmund o f .

Ca nt e rbury in his e a rly d a ys a t Ox ford .

Th e nobl e do c tor Rog e r B a c on s ays John Rous was ,

buri e d at th e Gr e y Fr i ars in Ox ford A D 1 2 92 on the , . .

,

fe ast o f St B ar n a b a s t h e A p ostl e ( J un e
. Th e r e s e e ms
to b e no a uthority for pl ac ing his d e ath in 1 2 94 .

Though Rog e r Ba c on was in o pp osition to t h e g e n e r a l

t e nd e nc i e s o f his a ge i t is a mist a ke to s uppos e e ithe r th at
, .

h e stood a lon e in his own li fe tim e or th a t his influ e n ce was

n e gligible aft e r his d e ath Pro fe ssor Ba ur o f Tübing e n h as .

r e c e ntly e dit e d am ong t he Philos o phi c a l Works o f Gross e

t e st e a S umma P hi los ophi a e fals e ly as c rib e d to Gross e t e st e
3
, ,

r e ally writt e n by a n unknown Englishm a n soon aft e r 1 2 6 5

th a t is a t t h e ve ry tim e th a t Rog e r Bac on was e nga g e d on
,

t h e Opus M d jus This wo r k i f not by B a c on hi m s e l f

.
,

whi c h s e e ms im possibl e wa s c o m pos e d by s om e o n e in t h e —

ve r y c los e st sym pathy with him t h e whol e dri ft o f thought

a nd o ft e n e ve n t h e v e ry e x p r e ssions a r e r e m inis c e nt o f B ac on .

Dr Rashd a ll h as p oint e d out th a t t h e g e r m s o f t h e two

.

r iv a l s c hools o f t h e l at e r Middl e Ag e s t h e R e a lism o f D uns ,

S c otus and th e No m in alism o f Oc h am a r e to b e found in ,

Ba c on Th e influ e n c e o f his p hysi c s is obvious in Pe c h am

.
4

C o mp S tu d i i T he ol
. .
, pp .
34 5 2 ,
.

H i stReg um A ngli a e
. Ci R oy a l M S 1 3 C I f 1 5 1
, p 82. . . .
, .
, .

A n no Ch ri st i 1 2 9 2 o b ii t R o g e r u s B a c o n p ro f e s so r t h e o lo g i e e t q ua m
e r u d i t u s u t m a g i s t e r i n o c t o s c i e n c i i s ub i a l i i c l e r i c i n o n p ot u e r unt

p re t e r v ii s c i re (M S . sc i e
5
In B e i träge zur G e s c hi chte de r P hi losop hi e des M i tte la lters ,

B and I X ,
Mü n st e r i . W 19 12
.
, . C omp S tu di i The ol
. .
, pp . 2 2 —3 .
 LI F E AND W ORKS 29

(
a not v e ry gr a t e f ul p u p il ) a n d h a rdly l e ss m a rk e d in Gil e s ,

o f Rom e and John D umb le t o n I t wo ul d b e int e r e sting I

.

to e xamine how far it c an b e tr ac e d in R a ymond Lull ,

Arnold d e V ill e ne uve Walt e r Burl e y Tho m a s B rad ward i ne , , ,

a n d e ve n Duns S c otus Ag a in m any othe rs b e sid e s Bac on 2

.
,

we r e a dvo c ating t h e study o f G re e k a nd Orie nt a l l a ngu a ge s .

Th e E nglish Fr a n c is c a n Willi a m d e Mar a was e vid e ntly

a n a dmir a bl e H e br e w s c hol a r B oth t h e D omini c a n a nd 3
.

Fr an c is c a n Ord e rs ha d c oll e g e s fo r the study o f Ori e nt al

l angu ag e s b e for e t h e e nd o f the c e ntury a nd in 1 3 1 2 ‘
,

Cl e m e nt V in t he Coun c il o f V i e nn e e nd e a vou r e d to
p rovid e f o r t h e e st a blishm e nt a nd e ndowm e nt o f c h a irs

of H e bre w Gr e e k Cha ld ai c a nd Arabi c in t h e Rom an

, , ,

Curi a a nd t h e Unive rsiti e s o f P a ris Ox ford Bologna a nd , , ,

S al a m an c a This e ffort was not v e ry su c c e ss ful in t h e

?

unive rsiti e s but a mong t h e English Fra nc ise a ns it is p ossibl e

,

to tr ac e a thin but c ontinuous lin e o f Gr e e k a nd H e br e w

l e arning during t h e fourt e e nth c e ntury H e nry d e Cos t e sy .
,

l e c tor to t he Fr a nc is c ans at Ca mbridg e c 1 330 is pe rh a ps , .

,

t he most e min e nt o f th e s e s c hol a rs 6

.

Di re c t allusions to Ba c on are fe w until t he p e riod o f t he

Re n aiss an ce Wil li am H e rb e rt l e c tor to t he Fr a n c is c ans
.
,

a t Ox ford obt aine d som e o f his m a nus c ri pts (two are still
,

e xt a nt ) f o r t h e fri ary a t H e r e ford Pi e rre Dubois at t he 7

.

b e ginning o f th e fourt e e nth c e ntury h a d a ssimil at e d his

S e e P r o f e ss o r D u h e m
’
s ar ticle in t h i s v o l um e .

2
Cf R S e e b e rg , D i e T he ol ogi e d es
. . oh . D u n s S c otus L e i p zi g , ,
1 90 0 ,

pp , 12, 60 5 .

5
Th e T o ul ou s e M S 40 2 . o ugh t to be edi ed t .

Go l ub o v i c h , B i bl . B i o B i bl i og -
.
,
i .
36 5 Mo r t i e r ,
H i st . d es
M a i tres G én ér a ux i 5 1 8 , . se q .

5
Cha rt . Un i v P a ri s . .
, ii, no . 695 . Cf . a l so b ull of H o n or i u s I V ,

Ja n . 2 3
, 1286 : ib id .
,
i , no .
52 7 .

5
J a me s i n Ca mb M od n H i s t v o l i a nd Ca t alogue o f
M R . . . er .
, .
,

MSS a t Ch ri s t s Co ll e g e Ca mb i d g n o 1 1
.
’

,
r e, . .

7
M R J a me s Li b ra ry o f t h e G re y F ri a r s o f H e re f o rd ‚ ( B ri t
’
. . .
,

S oc F ra n c S t ud i e s v o l v )
. .
, . .
30 R OG E R BA CON

t e ac hing 0 11 e x pe ri e n c e an d r e c o m m e nds t he study o f his

m athe m ati c al works ? Th e e arly al c he mi c al t re a tis e De
Lapi de P hil os ophorum p o p ul a rly a tt r ibut e d to Thom as ,

Aqui na s quot e s R oge rius i n lib r o D e I nflue nti is ( i e th e

,
. .

D e M ulti pl i e a ti on e S pe c i e ru m) Willi am Wood ford at Ox f ord .

5
,

towa rds t h e e nd o f t h e c e nt ury r e fe rs to his c urious book ,

0 11 Ol d Ag e About t h e s am e tim e Fr a n c is c a n c hronic l e rs

.
3

p l a c e d h i m a mong t h e f am ous n a tur a l p hiloso ph e r s o f t h e

O rde r a n d p r a i s e d his u n ive rs a l l e a r nin g I n t h e fift e e n t h “

c e n tury di s p ut a nt s quot e d him in t h e s c hools a t O x f ord

5
,

a n d a n offi c i al l e tt e r o f t h e Unive rsity m e ntion e d him

a m ong t h e mode r n Oxo n i a ns who h a d ke p t unt arnish e d

‘ ’

t h e b rightn e ss o f Ox f ord s fa m e 6
Ca rdin al Pi e rre d Ailly
’ ’
.

i nc or p or a t e d a p ass age from B ac on s work 0 11 ge ogr a phy ’

( Opus M aj us iv) in t h e I mago M un di a p ass a g e whi c h so

, ,

i mpre s s e d Columbus th at h e a n not a t e d it fully a nd q u ot e d

i t in a l e tt e r to F e rdin a nd a n d I s ab e ll a thus th e Opus 7

M ajus at s e c ond —h a n d b e c a m e o n e o f t h e authoritie s whi c h

ins pire d him to u nd e r t ake his gre a t Voya g e o f dis c ove ry .

And it would ap pe a r th at through t h e m e dium o f P a ul o f

Midd e lbu r g B a c o n i nfi ue n e e d Co p e r n i c us
, .
8

Th e e xt a nt m a nus c r i p ts o f Bac on s works show th a t t h e

’

D e Re cupe r a ti on e T err a e S a n ctae , ed . L a n gl o i s .

Z e t z n e r T he a tr u m Chem , . i ii . 267 . Al c h e m i s ts i n t h e la ter

M i d d le A g e s of en t q uo te B aco n or t h e n u m e ro u s p u ri o u s
S o rk s w
a tt ri b u e d t to him : e .
g . G e o rg e R i p l e y i n The M a rr ow of A lc hy mi e ;
ed . W . S al mo n , 17 0 7 p 6 46
, . .

3
B ro wn F as o , . Re r E xpe t . i p .
, . . 1 97 .

B a rt P i sa n . . De C onf or m i 338 ( e d. .
Q u a ra c c hi ) : Bo d l . MS .

Ca n M i s c 5 2 5 ff Opus cu le s de cr i ti qu e hi s tor i qu e i 287

‘
V I
. .
, , . 20 2 , 20 3 : , . .

5
L a mb e t h MS . 22 1, ff . 28 1 ,

5
Ib i d .
,
f .

7
Opu s M j
a us ( B ri d g e s ) , i .
pp . xxxii i ,
2 92 : Th a c h e r Chr i s to phe r ,

Co lu mbus ,
i ii .
480 : S e le c t L e tte rs f
o C o lu mbus ( H a kl uy t
pp . xlii i . 140 .

5
O pus M a usj ( B ri d g e s) , i .
pp . xxxi v , 2 85 : John Dee
'
s P l a yn e
di s course an d hu mble a d vi c e o n the r e fo r m of t he Ca l e n d a r , MS .

Co rp Ch r Co ll . . .
, O fo rd x , 2 54 , ff . 1 4 1— 54 .
 LI FE AND WORKS 31

Doctor mira bilis n e ve r wa nt e d a dmire rs Thus o f his

‘ ’
.

tre atis e 0 11 Opti c s ( Opus M ajus v) ( to give o ne inst an ce )

,

I h a ve found som e tw e n t y—s e ve n m a nus c ri p ts r a nging f r om,

t h e thi r t e e nth to t h e s e ve nt e e nth c e ntury . Th e tr e a tis e s

0 11 Op ti c s a n d Ma th e m a ti c s w e r e p rob a bly t h e m ost p o p ul a r

in t he Middle Age s a nd he r e Bac on though he m a de fre s h

, ,

a ppli c a tions o f t h e s c i e n ce s ,
was r a th e r t h e int e r pr e t e r o f
t h e Ar a bi a n s c i e ntists to t h e we st e r n wo r ld th a n a n origin a l
inve stig ator Fo r t he most origin a l sid e s o f his work for his
.
,

e x pe r i m e nt a l s c i e n c e a n d his pr in c i p l e s o f t e xtu a l c riti c is m

,

t h e Middl e Ag e s h ad littl e und e rst a nding . B a c on h a s

t he m e rit o f h a ving p oint e d out t h e line s o f i n t e ll e c tu a l
a dva n c e whi c h t he world was to follow two c e nturi e s aft e r

his d e ath .
DE R E IN F L U SS DES ROB E RT G ROSSE TE STE
AU F D IE WISSE N SC HAFTL I C HE RIC H
TU N G DE S RO GE R B A CON

V O N LU DW I G BAUR

WE N N m an de n Be gri ff Le hre r im str e ng e n Sinn de s

Wort e s nimmt und nur di e j e nige n Manne r unt e r die Le hre r
d e s Rog e r B a c on r e chn e t we l c h e d urch pe rsönli c h e n mü nd
,

li c h e n Unt e rri c ht ihm in d e r Philosophi e und Th e ologie di e

wisse nsc h aftli ch e Ri c htung g ab e n so ist e s s c hwe r ja
, ,

unmo gl i c h d i e Le hre r d e s Rog e r B a c on e rs c h o p fe n d und

,

si ch e r zu b e stim me n De r Be gri ff de s Le hre rs ist zude m

.

im Mitt e l alt e r in m e hr fa c h e r Hinsi c ht e tw a s d e hnb ar Er.

ve rl angt au c h nicht notwe ndig e in e n e rh e bli c h e n Alt e rs

unt e rs chi e d zwisc h e n d e m Le hre r und s e ine m S c hül e r :
a u c h zwis c h e n Fr e und e n gl e i c h e n Alt e rs k a nn e i n Le hre r

bzw S c hül e rve rhältnis b e st e he n Und ni c ht imm e r war

. .

e s e i n in s e in e r Da u e r od e r in d e r Ausw ahl d e r Fäch e r

g e n a u umgre nzt e s Ve rhältnis .

D a Rog e r B a c on in k e in e r s e in e r z ahlr e ich e n S c hri ft e n

dire kt und b e stimmt d ie Le hre r ne nnt d e re n mundli che m
,

U nt e rri cht und unni i t te lbare r Le itung e r se ine K e nntnisse

in d e n ve rs c hie de ne n Zwe ige n m e ns chli ch e n Wisse ns und
s e ine wisse ns c h aftli ch e Ri c htung üb e rh au pt ve rd ankt so ,

könn e n di e Na m e n d e rs e lb e n nur indir e kt aus s e ine n

And e utunge n aus se in e m Studi e ngang aus de m Charakt e r
, ,

se in e r S c hri ft e n d e r Eige n art s e ine r wiss e nsc haftli c h e n Pr o

,

b le m st ell unge n und Lösungsve rsu c h e e rschloss e n w e rd e n .

168 9 D
34 R OG E R B A CON

G e ra de b e i Rog e r B a c on gi lt da ss o ft di e j e nige n die s e ine , ,

p e rsönli c h e n Fr e und e w are n zugl e i c h a u c h s e in e b e d e n ,

t e nde n und e in fl ussre i ch e n Le hr e r wurde n We nigst e ns .

sagt e r s elbst : Quae si vi a mi c i t i am omni um s ap i e nt um

int e r La t inos e t f e c i i uve ne s i n str ui in li ngui s e t fi guri s e t
n um e ri s e t t a bulis e t i n s t rume n t i s e t i n m ultis me ce s
’
s a ri i s .

Es rs c h e int al s glaubwurdi g we nn m an annimmt ode r

e , ,

we nigst e ns ve rmut e t d a ss Roge r B ac on währ e nd se in e r ,

Studi e nz e it i n O x ford Ri ch ard Fi tzac re Edmund Ri c h ,

( d e n hl E dmund . v C a nt e rbury ) d e n D o m inik. a n e r Rob e rt ,

B ac on ( s e i n e n O nk e l zu Le hre rn g e h abt h ab e Le hre r .

u n d zugl e i c h Fr e und e ( trotz d e s e rh e bli c h e n Al t e rs un t e r

s c h i e d e s ) wurd e n ihm dort Rob e rt Gross e t e st e u n d Ad a m

d e Ma ris c o Als e r — vor 1 2 45 . n ac h P aris üb e rsi e d elt e d a —

,

s ah e r wi e e r s e lbst e rzählt ( op i n e d
, e d B re w e r no c h . .
, .
,

d e n Al e x a nd e r v H al e s ( T1 2 45 ) m i t e ig e n e n Auge n
. Er .

hört e Wilh e lm von A u ve rgn e ( t 1 2 48 ) no c h üb e r d en

i n tellectus agens vor d e r g a nz e n U nive rsität dis p uti e r e n .

I nde s ob od e r wi e w e it ihn mi t d e n b e id e n G e n a nnt e n no c h

,

e i n e ig e ntli c h e s S c hül e rve rhältnis v e rb and ist ni c ht m e hr ,

zu s ag e n Au c h m i t d e m hl B on a ve n tur a s ch e int e r zu
. .

P aris i n p e rsönli c h e Be rührung ge komm e n zu se in we nn ,

a nd e rs d i e Ann ahm e ri c htig ist d a ss si c h d e r B ri e f B on a ,

ve nt ura s a d magi st rum i nn om in atum an Rog e r B a c on

g e ri c ht e t h ab e J e d e n falls a b e r b e st and di e s e s S c hul e r
.
2

ve rh äl tnis w e nn si c h je e i n sol c h e s zwi s ch e n B on a ve ntura

und Roge r Bac o n h e r ausbild e t e auss c hli e ssli c h für d as ,

G e bi e t d e r Th e ologi e und Asz e tik Aus Bac on s S c hri ft e n .

s e lbst wi r d man e ntne hm e n dür fe n d a ss e r zu P aris ( bzw , .

O x ford ) zu s e in e n Le hr e rn sowohl al s Fr e unde n zähl e n

dürf t e : Ca m panus von Nova r a ; d e n Ast r onom e n Math e ,

Op us Te r ti u m ( B re we r) , p 58
. .

5
V gl . G . D e l o rm e i n D i cti on n a i re de Thé ologi e c atholi qu e , ii , s . v .

Ro g e r
‘ ’
Ba con , .
36 R OG E R B A CON

Optimistische n We rturt e il e ub e r ihn b e de ut e nd he r ab se tz e n

und de n We rt s e ine r I de e n und Th e orie n auf e in ge re cht e s
Ma ss zurück führ e n we rd e .
r

II

Rob e rt Gross e t e st e ubernahm n ach s e in e r Ruc kkehr von

P a ris c a 1 2 2 4—6 . auf B itt e n d e r e b e n d a m als in Ox ford

a ng e komm e n e n Mind e rbrüd e r s pe zi e ll d es Fr at e r Agnellus ,

v Pis a d ie Aufg ab e de n Franziskanerno vi zen Unt e r r ic ht

.
, ,

in d e n Wiss e ns c haft e n so we it di e s e r notwe ndig e rs c hi e n , ,

zu g e b e n Es kann k aum zwe i fe lhaft s e in d ass a uc h and e re

.
2
,

S c hül e r di es e n Unt e rri c ht b e suc ht h ab e n we rd e n J e d e n .

f alls ist e in e g a nz e Anz ahl s p ät e re r Fra nzisk ane rle hre r zu

Ox ford aus Gross e t e st e s S c hul e h e rvorg e g ang e n ?

Si c h e r war di e s d e r Fall b e i Roge r Bac on d e r von Gross e ,

t e st e in m annig fac h e r Hins ic ht s e in e wiss e nsch aftlich e Ri c h

tung e m pfing Wir konne n ni c ht s ag e n wi e we it d i e
.
,

wiss e ns c h aftli c h e n Ans c h auung e n Bac ons auf mundli che

Anregung e n dur c h Gross e t e st e zurückg e h e n Ab e r wir .

könne n auf Grund d e r S chrif ten Gross e t e st e s und Bac ons

di e j e nig e n Le hr p unkt e b e z e ichne n w e lche d ie wiss e n ,

s c h aftli c h e Art d e s Rog e r Bacon in zwe i fe llos e r Abhängig

ke it von s e ine m Le hr e r z e ig e n .

Gra mmati k u nd S prachenstudi um

Man ruh mt d e m
Rog e r Bac on allg e m e in n ach d ass e r ,

d i e Wi c htigk e it ja Un e rlässlichk e it d e s p h i lologis

, c h e n
Studiums und d e r Sprac he nke nntnis fur d ie ve rs c hi e d e n e n
Wiss e nszwe ige b e sond e rs ab e r für d as Th e ologi e studium
, ,

al s e rst e r e rk a nnt und in hö c hst t e m pe r a m e ntvoll e r W e is e

P . M an d o nn e t S i ger de B ra ba nt , et l
’
a verr hozs me lati n au XIII G
s i écle , F rib ourg 1 8 99 , 260
, p . .

5
Th o ma s v . E c c le s ton (e d . Li tt le , p 60 . .

5
V gl . d as h ö c h s t v e r d i e ns t lich e B uc h v o n A . G . Li ttl e ,
The G rey
F r i ars i n Oxf or d ,
x
O f o rd , 1892, pp . 1 39 ff . H . F e ld e r, Ges chi chte
der wi ss e n schaf tl i chen S tudi en i m F ranzi skanerorde n bi s um di e
M i tte de s 13 . a hr hun de r ts , Fre i b urg i Br . .
, 1 90 4 .
 EINF LUSS DES R OBERT GR OSS ETESTE 37

lit erarisch ve rtr et e n h ab e In d e r Tat braucht man nur .

d ie e inschl ägig e n S e it e n s e in e s Opus M aj us d e s Opus M i nu s , ,

d es Opus Terti um} d e s Compendi um S tudi i od e r s e ine r ,

gri e c his c he n Gr amm atik (e d Nol an and Hirs c h 1 90 2 ) zu .

,

l e s e n um zu e rk e nn e n wi e s ehr di e s e s Lob b e r e c htigt ist

, , .

Rog e r Bacon b e trac ht e t e s als e in unumstössli c h e s Axiom

für d as a k ad e mis c h e Studium Notiti a ling uarum e st p rim a ,

p ort a s ap i e nti ae ( Op T ert o p 2 8 e d B re w e r Gram . .

, .
,
.
,

m atik und Sprac he nkun de müss e n d e mn ac h d ie Grundl ag e

a ll e r wiss e ns c h aftli c h e n Ausbildung s e in Rog e r Bac on 2
.

rühmt d e sh alb auch von si c h s elbst I am a i uve nt ut e

l ab o ravi i n s ci enti i s et l i ngui s .

Di e s e s I nt e re ss e Bac ons and e n philologis c h e n Studi e n

gibt si c h in ve rs c hie d e n e r We is e in s e in e n S c hri ft e n kund
Er üb e rs c hütt e t j e n e Männ e r mit Lo b w e l c h e d i e S pr ac h e n ,

La t e in Gri ec his c h H e bräis c h Ch aldäis c h Ara bis c h

, , , ,

b ehe rrs c he n ode r ihr I nt e r e ss e am S pr ac h e nstudium

,

irg e ndwi e dokum e nti e rt e n B o e thius Be da Rob e rt ,

4
,
5

Gross e t e st e Ad am Ma rsh Thom as Wall e nsis we rd e n als

,
5
,

d i e we is e st e n Ma nn e r als m aior e s c le ric i d e mundo e t ,

D i Ei n w e n d ung e n K W rn rs g e g e n d i e E h t h e i t d e s v n
e . e e c o

B r w e r p ub l i i e r t e n Opu s T rti um h l t e i ch m i t H H ö v
e z fü e a . er r

n i ch t s t i c h h a l t i V l H ö v e i m h b f P hi lo u p kul T heol r a r s s e
g g . . . . . . .

xx v . 2 15 ff .

2
The Gre ek Gr a mmar of Roger B a c on , ed . N olan , xx v i ii d as e lb s t
we i t e r e B e l e gs t e lle n .
5
Op Te rt . .
,
o
p . 20 , ed . B re we r , 65 .

Op Tert . .
,
op . 10 , ed . B re we r
3 3 ; Op M aj i ii , e d B rid g e s , i 6 7
, . .
, . .

The Greek G r a mmar e d Nolan , 2 9 . .

5
Op M i n . ed . B re w e r , 332 Gr e e k G ra mma r 4 1 , .

5
Op . M ai i i i , , ed B r id g e s i 6 7 —7 3 ; Op Tert , op 1 0 e d B r e
.
, . . . .
, . wer , 33
o
p 2 5 , i bi d , 9 1
. . G reek G ra mma r, 1 1 8 Ro ge r B a c o n s ag . t t:
s e lb s

t
D o c ore s a u e m t no n d e sunt G ra e c u m v e ro ma x i m e c o n c o rd a t

cu m L at i n o e t sun t mul t i i n A ngl i a et F ra n c i a q ui hi e s a i s i n st r uc t i

, t
t M ul t i i n v e ni un t ur
U nd q ui s c i u n t l o g ui G ra e c um e t
’
s un . : ,

Ara b i c u m e t H e b ra e u m i n t e r La t i no s Op Te rt ( B r e w e r) e p 33—4
’
. . . .
, ,

U n t e r s e i ne n La n d sl e ut e n d i e i m 1 3 Jahr h s i c h m i t d e r gr i e c hi sc h e n , . .

S pra ch e v ert ra u t ma c h t e n s i n d zu n e nn e n D a ni e l Mo rla i M i c h a el , ,

Sc o t us Ro b er t G rosse t e s t e J oh n B asi n g st o k e Ad a m d e Ma ri sco W i l

, , , ,

h e lm d e M a ra V Nola n a a O x l i i i ; B ac o n Comp 5 tud i i v i 4 34

. .
, . .
, . , . .
38 R OG E R B A CON

pe r fe c ti in s c i e nti a divin a e t hum a n a g e pri e s e n um ihre r

s pr ac hli c he n und gra mm atis c he n K e nntniss e will e n An .

d e re rse i t s w e r d e n di e j e n ig e n s c hwe r g e t a d e lt w e l c he k e in e ,

Sprac h e n k e nn t nis s e b e sitz e n od e r si c h u m e i n p hilo l o gi ,

s c h e s Wiss e n ni c ht kü mm e rn .

Roge r B a c on wi r d nic ht m ud e i m m e r wie de r a uf d i e ,

gross e B e d e u t ung hinzuwe is e n we l c h e d ie g ra mm atis c h e n , ,

linguisti s c h e n und philologis c h e n K e nntniss e als Grund

b e dingung d e r Ve rm ittlung d e r G e d a nke n fre mde r V ölke r
und ihr e r Lit e ratur e n für d e n The olog e n Philoso ph e n , ,

Ex e g e t e n b e sitz e n Er ve r l a ngt d e sh alb v o m Th e olog e n

.

e in e e ind r ing e nd e K e n n tnis d e r l a t e i n is c h e n ; g r i e c his c h e n ,

h e b r äis c h e n c h aldäis c h e n und wo m ogli c h auc h d e r ar abi

,

s c h e n S pra c h e Da b e i unt e rs c he ide t e r d re i S t u fe n d e r zu

.

ford e r nd e n Höh e s pr a c hli c h e r Ke nnt niss e .

I

Ein e n H a u p tgrund für d e n von i h m so o ft b e kl a gt e n

Ma ng e l a n e in e r gründli c h e n Sprac h e nke nnt n is s e in e r Z e it
e rk a nnt e Rog e r Bac on d ar in d ass die r i c htig e wiss e n ,

s c h aftli c h e Unt e r r i c hts m e thod e und Le r nm e thod e fe hlt e ;

und die s e fe hlt e we il man k e in e r i c htig e n Gra mm atike n
,

h a tt e währ e nd d as praktis c h u nd unm e thodis c h e rle rnt e

,

S pr e c h e n d e r l a t e inis c h e n gri e c his c h e n und a rabis c he n ,

S pr ac h e me hr ve rb r e it e t war Da he r s c hri e b Bac on s e lbst .

2

e in e gri e c his c h e G r a mm a tik in w e l c h e r e r e in e a usg e br e it e t e ,

K e nntnis d e r alt e n Gra m m a tike r ve rr a t A uc h e in e h e b r äi .

Se he Gr am m atik h a t ihn wi e Hi rs c h m i t gut e n Gründ e n ,

d arg e l e gt h at zu ihr e m Ve r fass e r , .

3

Vor a ll e m a b e r su c ht e Bac on e ine philologis c h e Me thod e

N o la n , a . a . O .
,
x lv B a c o n Co mp S tu d i i P hi l
, .
, vi .
4 33 f .

2
Mi t d e r i h m e ig e n e n Ü b e rt r e ib u n gss uc h t Roge r B a co n
sa g t
hi e r üb e r P a uc i ssi m i s un t , q ui sc i u n t ra t i o n e m g ra m m a t i c a e
i p si u s ,
nee s c i u nt d oc e r e m
q ua t t u o r L a i n i
ca na m no n s un t t
q ui s c i a n t g ra mma t i c a m H e b ra e o r u m e t Gra e c o r um e t A ra b u m .

E r f ug t h i n z u b e ne e ni m c o g no s c o e o s , q ui a e t c i ra t
m a r e e t u l t ra
f e c i i n q ui r i e t m ul t u m i n h i s la b o ra v i .
’
Op . Te r t a a O
.
,
N o la n x l i v
. . .
, , .

3
The G ree k G r a mma r of Rog e r B a con and a f r agme n t of hi s H e bre w
G ra mma r , ed . b y N o la n a nd H i rs c h Ca mb ri d g e , , 19 0 2 , S . 197 ff .
 EI NF LUSS DES R OBER T GR O SS ETE STE 39

a uszubild e n in we l c he r d ie philologis c he n R e g e ln d e r Ü be r
,

se tzungsk uns t d e r H a nds c hri ft e nkund e Te xtk r itik und philo

, ,

logis c h e n H e rm e n e utik zu ihr e m R ec ht e komm e n sollt e n .

Be i d e r gross e n Fe hl e rh a ftigk e it d e r b e st e h e nd e n Ü b e r
se tzung e n biblis c he r und pro fan e r S c hri ft e n ve rl angt e r
Fe stst e ll ung d e s h a ndsc hri ftlic h fundie rt e n Vulg at at e xt e s ,

ne ue dir e kt a us d e r Ur s prac h e d e r b e tr S c hri ft h e rg e st e llt e .

Ü b e rs e tz ung e n od e r Ko rre k t u r d e r b e st e h e n d e n Ü b e rse t

,

zung e n und Ausgl e ic h s t rittig e r Ü b e rs e tzu ng e n durc h Zuruc k

g e he n auf d e n Ur t e xt In Anl e hn ung a n Aug ustinus und .

Hie rony mus ve rsu c ht e r R e g e ln e ine r philologis c h e n Te xt

kritik a ufzust e ll e n ; e i n n ac h sol c h e n R e g e ln syst e m a tis c h
ang e l e gt e s B i bel korrektori u m s c hw e bt ih m st e ts a ls Id e a l
vor Als Grundre g e ln st e llt e r a uf F e stst e ll ung und Er
.
‘

klär ung d e r Te xt e n ac h d e m Urt e xt e ine rs e its nac h d e n , ,

ält e st e n auffindbare n H a nds c hr i ft e n and e r e rs e its Die .

Ü bersetzer müss e n d ie b e tr e ffe nd e n S pr ac h e n ni c ht nur

ob e r fl ächl i c h und r e in pr aktis c h könn e n sond e rn Gra m ,

m a tik und Spra c h i di om d urc h und d ur c h be h e rrs c h e n um ,

a u c h d i e s pr ac hli c h e n Nu a nc i e rung e n d e s fr e m d e n I dio m s in

d er U e b e rse t zung zum Ausdru c k bring e n zu könn e n No c h .

m e hr Si e müss e n a u c h g e istig d e m I nh a lt d e r b e tr .

S c hri ft e n g e wac hs e n s e in Da von h ä ngt d i e Ric htigk e it .

,

Zuve rlässigk e it d e r wi ss e ns c h aftli c h e We r t d e r Le xik a

, ,

Ko rrek t o r i e n Ü b e rs e tz ung e n u nd Ko m m e n t a r e a b
,
.

Auf d ie p ositiv e n Einz e lvo r s c hläg e d i e Rog e r Ba c on zur ,

Ü b e r d i e B i be l horrektor i e n d e s 13 .
Ja h rh . s . T r o c h on ,
E ss a i s ur

l hi s to i r e de l a B i bl e d a n s l a F r a n ce c hre ti e nn e a u moy e n tig e P a ri s

’ ’

, ,

M a r t i n L a Vu lg a te l a ti n e X I I I 2 s i ec le d ap r es Rog e r
’
187 8 F . P .
, au

B a co n , P a ris , 1888 D e n i fle i m A r c hi v f ur Li te r a tur u . Ki r c he nge s ch .

M i tte l a lte rs i v ff ; S B e r g e r D e l hi s toi re de l a

’
de s , . 27 0 . .
,

Vu lg a te en F ra n ce P a r i s , , 18 87 D e r s e lb e i n R e vue de Thé olog i e e t d e

P hi l os ophi e , 188 3 ; v gl . a uc h M us eau ,
v iii .
4 44 ff . ix .

Ma g e no t i m D i c ti o nn a i re d e l a B i ble
’

30 1 fi , a rt . Co rre c t o i r e s ;
G a sq u e t ,
E n g l i sh B i b li c a l Cr i i c i s m i n t h e T hi r t t e e nt h Ce n t u ry ,
’
in
D ubl i n Re vi e w , J a nu a ry , 1 89 8 , p .
7 G . D e l o rm e i n D i cti on n a i re d e
Ro g e r
‘ ’
Théol og i e ca thol i qu e , ii , s v
. . Baco n , .
 40 R OG ER BA CON

Ve rb ess e r ung d es arg P ris r ve rs chl ec ht e rt e n a e V ul g at a !

Te xt e s m a cht e br a uc h e n wi r ni c ht e inzug e h e n
,
Auc h s e in e .

Ve rsuc h e d ie frühe re n Bibe lkorrekt ori en d e r Fra nzisk an e r

,

und Domin ikan e r durc h e i n n ac h s e in e n philologis c he n Grund

sätz e n g e arb e it e t e s Ko rre k t ori um zu e rs e tz e n könn e n in ,

di es e m Zus amm e nh ang üb e rg ang e n w erd e n Nur e in ihm .

e ig e ntümli c h e r G e d a nk e s e i no c h e rwähnt s e in s prac hge

s c h i c h t li c h e r G e d ank e a ll e S p r ac h e n auf e in e Urs p r ac h e
,

zur ü c kzu führ e n wi e e twa d ie Di al ekt e e in e r S pra c h e auf

,

e in e r g e m e ins a m e n S pr ac h e b e ruh e n .

V on di e s e n Grun dsätz e n und philologis c h e n K e nntniss e n

d e s Rog e r Ba con wird m an e i n gut Te il z ur ü c k führ e n
m uss e n a uf d ie Anr e gung e n di e ihm d as St udiu m d e r ,

e x e g e tis c h e n S c hri ft e n d es hl Augustinus und Hi e ronymus .

,

sowi e d e r früh er e n Bib elkorre kt ori e n g e bot e n h att e Ab e r .

I

e s k a nn do c h a u c h ni c ht zw e i fe lh a ft s e in d a ss d as I nt e r e ss e ,

d es Rog e r Ba con a n Gr a mm atik S pr ac h e nstudium und ,

p hilologis c h e r Kritik von d e r S c hul e d e s Rob e rt Gross e t e st e

a ng e r e gt und grossg e zog e n word e n ist und d a ss e s von ,

d e r g a nz e n Gru pp e d e r s pra ch e nk und ig e n Männ e r g e förd e rt

wurd e d i e Rob e rt us Li ncolni e ns is umg ab e n : Ni c ol aus
,

Grae c us John B asingstok e Ad am Marsh Wilh e l m d e

, , ,

Mara u a We r s e in un m itt e lb a re r Le hr e r im G r i e c his c h e n

. .
,

H e bräis c h e n Ch aldäis c h e n und Arabis c h e n g e we s e n is t

, ,

wiss e n wir ni cht Und wi e we it Bac on s grammati sche .

’

K e nntniss e d e s Gri e c his c h e n e twa auf dire kt e Unt e r

w e isung dur c h Rob e rt Gross e t e st e zurü c kg e h e n mög e n ,

lässt si c h ni c ht s ag e n Er s e lbst b eh aupt e t von Gross e t est e .

,

d ass di e s e r ni cht so vi e l Gri e c his c h g ewusst h ab e a ls für ,

An fe rtigung s e lbständig e r Ü b e rs e tzung e n nötig g e we s e n

w a re Nur di e unt e rst e ( dritt e ) Stu fe d e r von Ba c on
.
2

V gl D e ni fl e
. Di e H a n d sc h i ft e n d e r Bi b e lk o e k t o i e n i m
, r rr r

Ja h rh u n d e r t A r ch L i tera tur u Ki rchengesch

’
1 3 .
, .
f . . iv . 270 fi
2 92 ff .

2
C o mp . S tud i i P hi l v i ii .
4 7 2 ; N o l an , l v ii ; F . G . S t e v e n so n ,

The Lif e f Robe r t G ross etes te

o ,
L o n d o n , 1 8 99 , S 2 2 4
. .
 EI NF LUSS DE S R OBERT GR OSS ETE S TE 41

unt e rs c hi e d e n e n Sprac he nke nntnisse will e r s e in e m Le hr e r

im Gri ec his c h e n zug e st e h e n I ch h a b e an e in e r and e r e n .

St ell e n ac hzuwe is e n ve rsuc ht d ass di e s zwar für d i e früh e r e , ,

ab e r wohl k a u m m e hr für d i e s p ät e r e Le b e nsz e it d e s Rob e rt

Gross e t e st e zutr af .

Sic h e r ist d ass Rog e r Bac on d ie Anr e gung fur s ein e

,

Wertung der S pr a chenkenntni sse und vor a ll e m s e ine Ü ber ,

setzu ngs grunds a tze von Rob e rt Gross e t e st e e rh alt e n h att e

, .

Dass di e s e r w e nigst e ns indir e kt a uc h auf s e i n e gra mmati schen

K e nntniss e a nr e g end e invvi rk t e s c h e int d ie B e m e rkung d e s ,

Roge r Bac on n ahe zul e g e n d e r e s ni c ht unt e rlässt h e rvor , ,

zuh e b e n Gross e t e st e fe c it libros g rammat i c ae Gr a e c ae

d e Grae c i a e t a l i i s c o ngr e ga r i .

Dass s e in e Vorli e b e S pr ac h e n und s e in e ph ilologi fü r d i e

s c h e n Ü b ers e t zungs grund s ät ze au f Gross e t e st e zur üc kg e h e n ,

kann um so we nig e r e in e m Zwe i fe l unt e rli e g e n als B ac on ( Greek ,

Gra mmar e d Nol a n 1 1 8 ) s e lbst g e l e g e ntli c h a uf d i e Kom

,
.

me nt are d e s Li nc o lni e ns is zu D ionysi us Ps e ud o are o pagi t a

hinwe ist In d e r Ta t e nts pr e c h e n d i e gr am m a tis c h e n
.
5
,

p hilologis c h e n t e xtkritis c h e n l e xik

, a lisch e n B e m e rkung e n , ,

d ie Gross e t e st e in d e n Einl e itung e n und Komm e nt a r e n zu

d e n g e n a nnt e n S c h r i ft e n ni e d e rg e l e gt h at g a nz d e m s p a t e r ,

von Rog e r Bac on e ntwi c k e lt e n G e d ank e ng a ng Be ac ht e ns .

we rt ist j e d e n falls s c hon d ie B e tonung d es exegeti schen

Studiums im th e ologis c he n Le hr pl an und s e in e d e utli c h e
L B a ur D i e
.
, phi l os ophi s chen Werke des Robert G ross e te s te M un s t e r ,

( Ase h e n d o r ff) , 19 12 , S 42 * f
. .

Op Tert . .
( B r e we r)p 9 1 N o l an , . .
, a. a . O .
,
111 . N a t u rl i c h k o m m t f u r
R og e r B a c o n n o c h m e h r d e r D o na t us gra e c us d e s oh n B a s i ng s o k e J t
in Be t ra c h t , der se i ne r ze i t die t
b y za n i n i s c h e , i n A h e n ü b l i c h e t
Gra m m a t i k m e t h o d e b e f o lg t e .

5
So s ag t er : Et e st ar e e t vi r u s t t ui t a
g ra , d y na m i s v e ro

t
v i r u s n a u r al i s ,t
un a p r o a li a i n
m e mo r i a e q u o n d a m
e x p osui t
q ua d i v e r s i t a t e i g n o r a l a i n i s a c c i p i t u1at a mul t i s t
sc r i p t ur i s a u t e n t i c i s s i c u t D o m i nu s R ob e rt u s s a n c a e
‚ t
e p i sc o pu s L i n c ol n i e ns i s , d oc to r f a mo si ssi mu s
in s ui s Co mm e n t a r ii s s up e r l i b r o s D i o n y si i et c o rr i g i t

N o la n
’
c e t e ros t r a n s l at o r e s .
, a . a . O .
, 1 18 .
42 R OG E R B A CON

B e vorzugung vor d e m s ys t e m atis c he n d e r S e nt e nze n in

e in e m B ri e fe d e s G r oss e t e st e ( c a 1 2 46)
I
. .

I n s e in e n Ko m m e nt a r e n zu d e r Ar e o pagiti ca ( s pe zi e l l
zu D e di vi ni s n omi ni bus) gibt G r oss e t es t e e ine Ar t gr a m
m a t i sc h e r E inl e it ung in d i e gri e c his c h e S pr a c h e Er b e .

h ande lt hie r di e La utl e hre Vok al e Konson ant e n Di ph

, , ,

t h o ng e Auss pra c h e d e r g r i e c his c h e n B u c h s t a b e n fe rn e r d i e

, ,

Ge nusre gel n Ko n st ruk t i o ns e ig e nt umli c hk e i t e n Co m p osit a

, , ,

signifik ant e Wortve rbind un g e n ve rs c hi e d e ne B e de utung e n

,

d e ss e lb e n Ausdru c ks ( Synonymik) Id i o munte rsc h ie d e zwi ,

s c h e n d e r l a t e inis c h e n und gri e c his c h e n S p r a c h e Na m e nt .

li c h b e tont e r wie s e hr e s notwe ndig s e i von d e n l at e inis c he n

, ,

Ü b e rs e tz ung e n z um U rt e xt vorzudring e n : e ine rs e its um ,

e in e gut e Ü b e rs e tzung zu e r l a ng e n a nd e r e rs e its u m e in e

, ,

r i c h t ig e E r klärung d e r Te xt e g e b e n z u könn e n We r s ich .

nur a n d i e l a t e inis c h e Ü b e rs e tz u ng h a lt e d e r w e rd e ni e m al s ,

od e r nur m a ng e lh aft de n wahr e n Sinn e in e s Autors e rke nn e n ,

währ e nd di e se r d e n j e n ig e n ni c ht ve rbo rg e n bl e ib e d i e ,

we nigst e ns e inig e rm ass e n ( me d io e rite r v el e ti am t e nuit er)

d i e gri e c his c h e S pr ac h e v e rst e h e n Di e s e a ll e in s e i e n a u c h
.

i mst and e d ie fe ine r e n Nu an c ie rung e n d e r G e d a nk e n d i e in

, ,

d e m I diom d e r f re md e n S pr ac h e ve rborg e n li e g e n a ufzufi n ,

d e n und in d e r a nd e r e n S pr a c h e wi e d e rz ug e b e n Auc h .

konn e n s i e b e i zwe i fe lh aft e n und m e hrd e utig e n A usdr u c k e n ,

od e r Ü b e rs e tzu ng e n ihr e Ko n j e ktur e n m ac h e n

,
.

D i e Ü b e rs e tzung s e lbst h at vor a ll e m e in e n e inw a nd fr e i e n ,

g e si c he rt e n Te xt u nd e i n ric htig e s V e rst ä n dni s d es Te xt e s

s e i t e ris d e s Ü b e rs e tz e rs zur V or a uss e tzung U m e in e n gut e n .

Te xt zu h a b e n v e rw e nd e t Gro s s e t e st e i mm e r e in e g r össe re
,

Anz ahl gri e c his c h e r H a nds c hri ft e n Ob e r d ab e i a uc h s c hon

.

di e von Rog e r Ba c on g e g e b e n e n R e g e ln d e r Te xtk r itik

anwa ndt e l a sst si c h a us di e s e n Aus führung e n ni c ht fe st

s t e ll e n
. Doe h ist e s dur c h a us wa h r s c h e inli c h B e i s e in e n .

Ü b e rs e tzu ng e n ve r fuhr Gross e t e st e so d ass e r zun ac hst ,

Ro be rti G r os s e te s te Ep i s tol a e , ed . L ua rd , pp . 6
34 7
— .
44 R OG ER BA CON

z ahlr ei c h v orfi nd e n Es li ess e si c h d ar aus uns c hw e r d as

.

gri e c his c h l at e inis c h e Lexikon r e konstrui e r e n

-
w e nig
st e ns zum Te il , d as di e s e m O x ford Li nc ol ne r phil ologis c h
-

int e re ssi e rt e n g e l e hr t e n Kr e is e zu G ebot e st and Das .

würd e si c h e r e in e b e d e ut e nd e und e rg e b nisr e i c h e Erg ä nzung

s e in zu d e r ho c h int e r e ss ant e n Studi e Ü b e r e in gri e c his c h
l at e inis c h e s Le xiko n d es 1 3 J ahrhunde rts ( MS London
. .
,

Coll e g e o f Arms Arund e l ix) d a s vor e inig e n J ahr e n M R

, , ,
. .

J am e s ( in de n M el anges 07f erts d M Emi le Chatel ai n par

'

ses eleves et s es a mi s P a ris 1 91 0 S 3 96—41 1 ) ve rö ffe ntli c ht e

, , ,
. .

Mi t gut e n Gru nd e n w e ist J a m e s j e n e s Le xikon d e m Kr e is e

Gross e t e st e s zu De r Z us a mm e nh ang d e r gra mmati sch
.

l exi kal i schen Ke nntn i ss e d e s Rog e r B ac on mit di e s e m

Kr e is e ist dur c h di e ob e n a ng e führt e St ell e aus s e in er
gri e chis c h e n Gr a m m atik zur E vid e nz e rwi e s e n .

III
No c h vi e l d e utli c h e r als auf d e m G e bi e t e d e r Gra mm atik
, ,

Linguistik Phil ologi e und Te xtkritik z e igt si c h d e r st ark e

, ,

b e stimm e nd e Ein fluss d e s Ro b e rt us Li nc olni ensis auf {di e

wiss e ns c h aftli c h e Ri c htung s e in e s S c hül e rs auf d e m G e bi e t e
d e r Na t ure rk e nn t n i s und Na tur phil oso p hi e Ma n ch e in .

G e d a nk e und origin ell e r Erklärungsve rsu c h d e n m an Rog e r ,

Bac on zum V e rdi e nst e a n re c hn e t g e ht t a tsä c hli c h a uf ,

Rob e rt Gross e t e st e zu rü c k Es ist hi e r ni c ht d er R aum zur

.

Ve r füg ung um d as in a us führli c h e m B e we isg an g d arzul e g e n

, .

I c h We r d e d e n Be w e is in m e in e m b ald e rs c h e in e nd e n B u c h ,

Di e P hi l os ophi e de s Robert Grosseteste e rbring e n In , .

di e s e m Artike l mog e e s g e nü g e n kurz die Punkt e n amh aft

,

zu m a c h e n a n w e l c h e n e in e sol c h e ri c htungg e b e nd e E i nfluss

,

n ahm e d e s Le hr e rs g e g e n ub e r d e m S c hul e r t ats ä c hlic h

s t a t tg e fund e n h at . Natürli c h will d am it d e r fru c htb are
Ein fl uss d er a r a bis c h e n Lit e r atur a uf B ac ons Na tur

philoso phi e in k e i n e r W e is e v e rkl e i n e rt w e rd e n .

1. Es ist b e k a nnt d a ss Rog e r Ba c on a n d e n ve rs c hi e d e n

,
 EINFLUSS D ES R OBERT GR OSS ETESTE 45

st e n St e ll e n s e in e r Schri ft e n auf d ie Frag e d e r Kalenderref orm

zu s pre c he n kommt und di es e lb e als d ring e nd notwe ndig
b e ze i c hne t : so z B in s e in e m ( ni c ht e di e rt e n) Com putus
. .
,

i m Opus M aj us e d Bridg e s i 2 7 6 ; Opus T ert o p 7 0, .

, . .
,
.
,

e d Br e w e r 2 8 1 ff
.
,2 8 7 ff Die Art wi e e r d i e Forde rung
.
, .
,

e in e r K al e nd e rr e form b e gr und e t d e r Sinn in w e l c h e m e r , ,

di es e Ford e rung e rhob e n wiss e n will stimm e n vollkomm e n , ,

o ft sog a r wor t li c h üb e r e in mit d e m was Rob e rt Gross e t e st e ,

in s e in e m gl e i c hfalls no c h une d ie rt e n Com put us in d e rs e lb e n 2

Hinsi c ht ford e rt e und b egr ü nd e t e V or all e m m a c he n b e id e .

d e n g a nz id e ntis c h e n V o rs c hl ag ( a) Um zu e in e r b e ss e r e n
K al e nd e rr e c hnung zu kom m e n muss man vor all e m die ,

Gröss e d es Sonne nj ahrs r i c htig b e stimm e n und d ie in d e r

bishe rig e n K al e nd e rr e c hnung g e m ac ht e n Fe hl e r ve rm e id e n .

Man muss die wahr e astronomis c he Gross e d es Sonn e nj ahrs

d e r R e c hnung zu Grund e l e g e n
.

( b) Au c h ohne Ve r ifizi e r ung .

d e r a stronomis c h e n Gröss e d e s Sonn e nj ahrs soll d e r Tag d es

Fruhli ngsae qui noc t i ums ni c ht n ac h d e m a lt e n Os t e rk a no n
und n ac h ve ra lt e t e n astrono mis c h e n Tafe ln sond e rn e i n ,

f a c h dur eh d as Be ob ac htungsinstrum e nt od e r au f Grund ,

ve rifi zie rt e r n e u e r Ta fe ln b e stimmt w e rd e n

, ( )
0 A u f Grund .

von d e m was Gross e t est e bzw Bac on üb e r d ie Be r e c hnung

, .

d e r Prim a t i o ne n a us füh r t e soll d e r ri c htig e Tag d e s e rst e n ,

Vollmonde s n ac h d e m Frühling sae qui no c t ium wahrhe i ts

ge tr e u fe stg e st ellt we rd e n und die s e r Tag soll d ann als
Os t e r t e rm i nus für d ie B e stimmung d e s Ost e r fe st e s di e n e n .

2 Währe nd Gross e t e st e s e in e g anz e Natur philoso phi e in

.

s e ine r Li chttheori e zus amm e nfasst h at di e s e Lic h t me t a ,

phys ik a uf Rog e r Bac on ni c h t e in e n so a uss c hl agg e b e nd e n

Ein fl uss a usg e ub t Nur g e l e g e ntli c h fi n d e n si c h v e rwandt e
.

G e d anke n b e i ihm Dag e g e n h at si c h Rog e r Bac on e ine n .

V g l Ka l t n b u nn
. Die V o ge s chi h t d g go i an i s h n
r e r,
‘
e r c e er re r c e

Ka l e n d e rre f or m S i te B e r d e r K K A ka de mi e d Wi ss phi l oL
,
’
.
-
. . . . .
,

hi st K l B d l xxx i i W i e n 1 8 7 6 S 2 8 9 —4 1 4
. .
, .
, , , . .

2
Ü b e r d i e se n Co mp u t us v g l L B a u r D i e phi losoph Werke des . .
, .

Robert G ross ete s te M ü n st e r 1 9 1 2 S 6 5 * ff

, , , . .
46 R OG E R B A CON

wi c htig e n Gru n dg e d a nk e n d e r Na t u re rkl ä rung d es Gross e

t e st e zu e ig e n g e m ac ht we l c h e r b e i di e s e m m i t s e in e r ,

Li c htm e t a physik a u fs e ngst e v e rk nu pft e rs c h e int nämli ch

di e grun ds ä tzli che method i sche A uff a ssung d er N a tur wi ssen
s chaf t u nd d i e E r kl a r u ng d es Wi r ke ns u nd Wer de ns i n d er
,

N a tur .Rog e r Bac on ve r tritt in s e ine n ve rs c hi e de n e n

S c hri ft e n i m m e r wi e d e r d i e Ansi c ht d ass d e r Natur fo rs c her ,

d i e Nat u r dur c h Ma th e m a tik und Ex p e r im e nt e rkl ä r e n

m uss e .We nn e r die Na turwiss e ns c h aft a uf fr uc htb ar e
.

We is e und in wiss e ns c h aftli c h e r Art b e tr e ib e n soll so m uss ,

di e s m it d e r ri c htig e n Me thod e g e s c h e h e n Di e s e ist d i e .

m a th e m atis c h e S pe zi e ll d ie G e om e tri e ist für d i e Na tur

.

e rk e nntnis von d e r a lle rg r ö s s t e n Wi c htigk e it Di e B e d e u ?

tung d e r Math e m a tik e rstre c kt s ic h übrig e ns auf s ämt

li c h e Wiss e ns c h aft e n Rog e r b e we is t di e s d ar a us d a ss d i e
.
,

m ath e m atis c h e n K e nnt n iss e uns a ng e bor e n s e i e n ( vgl .

Pl a to ja g e r a d e zu d i e a prioris c h e n V or a uss e tzung e n d e s

wis s e n s c h aftlic h e n D e n ke ns ü b e rh au pt bild e n ( Op M ai . .
,

ed . B ridg e s i Si e s e i unt e r a ll e n Wiss e ns c h a ft e n

, .

g e s c hi c htli c h am früh e st e n e r funde n word e n (e b d i .

,
.

Si e se i di e l e i c ht e st e Wiss e ns c h a ft Dah e r se i e s au c h
m e thodis c h all e in r i c htig vom Be k a nnt e n zum Unb e k a nnt e n ,

( v o m Le i c ht e r e n zum S c hw e r e r e n) vor anzus c hr e it e n d h a lso ,

. .

i m Studi e ng ang mit d e r Math e m atik zu b e ginn e n ( n atürli c h

n ac h d e r Gr a mm a tik ) Endli c h e rh alt e n di e übrig e n
.

Wiss e ns c h aft e n d urc h d i e Math e m atik bzw g e n a u e r durch , .

d ie G e om e tri e e in e G e wi s sh e it ohn e Zw e i fe l und e in e Wahr

,

he it ohn e Irrtum (e b d 1 .

Ohn e Ma th e m atik s a gt Bac on ist es unmo gl i c h zu e in e r

, , ,

r i c htig e n Erk e nntnis üb e r d i e D ing e di e s e r W e lt zu komm e n .

De nn j e d e s Na tu r ding wirkt dur c h d i e ihm inn e wohn e nd e n

Kräft e Di e s e ab e r wi rk e n n ac h Lini e n Winke ln und
.
,

Fig ure n .
2

Op Te rt . .
, ep .
58 , ed . B re we r , 2 27 Op . Min ed . B re we r 32 1 , .

2
D i e se r Sa t z k o m m t b e i B a co n w i e d e rh olt v or , so n a m e n li c h t
 E I NF LUSS DES R OBE RT GR OSS ETE S TE 47

Di e Prokl am i e rung d e s Gr unds atz e s d ie Na t urwiss e n ,

s c haft ( bzw Na tur philoso phi e ) more ge ometri co zu t r e ib e n

.
,

wird a llg e m e in für d ie Z e it d e s Mitt e l alt e rs d e rn Rog e r

Bac on a ls V e r di e nst a ng e r e c hn e t All e in sämtlic he von .

i hm ub e r di e s e Fr a g e vorg e tr a g e n e n G e d a nk e n find e n si c h
d e r S a c h e n a c h ni c ht s e lt e n a u c h d e m Wortl a ut n a c h s c hon
, ,

b e i Rob e r t G r oss e t e st e vor Ba c on ziti e rt ihn zw a r ni c ht .

im e inz e l n e n Fall wo e r i hm folgt m i t Nam e n ab e r e r , , ,

rühmt do c h we nigst e ns i m allg e m e in e n von i hm ( e be nso

von Ad am d e Maris c o ) d ass e r e s ve rs t a nd e n h ab e durc h , ,

Ma th e m atik d i e U rs a c h e d e r Ding e zu find e n und ihr We s e n

zu b e sti mm e n Di e Abhängigk e it d e s Rog e r B ac on v on
.
‘

d e r Na t urphiloso phi e d e s Rob e r t Gross e t e st e in vi e l e n

grundsätzli c h e n Frag e n lässt si c h im e inz e lne n ve rgl e i c hs
we is e d artun Wir fass e n uns d ab e i so kurz a ls m ogli c h
. .

We nn Bac on ( Commun N a t i 5 e d St e e l e 36 ) s agt : . .

,
.
, .
,

a gen s multi l i ca t se ae u ali t e r in o m ni

p q p a r t e [ in o m n e m
p a rt e m e t s e c und u m omn e s di a m e t r o s e t omn e s di ff e

r e nt i as p o s i t i o n i s quae sunt s ursum d e o r s u m a nt e r e tro

, , , , ,

d e xtrorsum s i nistrorsum Ergo undi que e xe unt lin e ae in

, .

omni part e ab ag e nt e t a nqu am a c e ntro Se d lin e ae undi que .

e xe unt e s ab u n o lo c o non p o s s u nt t e rm in a ri nisi a d su p e r

fic i e m c o nc a v a m s ph ae rae so ist d a s g e n au d a ss e lb e wa s
’

, ,

Gross e t e st e üb e r d i e sui mult i plica tio d e s Li c ht e s bzw ‘ ’

.

d e r Kr a ft in s e in e m Komm e nt a r z u d e n zw e it e n An alyt i k e n
(e d V e n e t 1 5 0 4 f o l
. u nd in d e r S c hri ft D e L uce
, .

( s L Ba ue r a a O 5 1 ff ) a usg e fuh rt h a t
. .
, . . .
, . .

Da d as Li c ht n a c h Gross e t e s t e d as We s e n d e r Na t urding e
a us m ac ht so e r folg t , kons e q ue nt n ac h s e in e r Ansi c ht ,

g e rad e so wi e in Bac ons Na tu rphiloso phi e auc h d as Wirk e n ,

und We rd e n d e r Ding e n ac h d e n G e s e t z e n d e s Li c ht e s d h , . .

Op M j i v d i c t
. a .
, op , d B id g s i 1 . 2, D Z usa mm e nh a n g
. 1, e . r e , . 10 . er

d ess lb n m i t d
e e S c h ri f t d G e t e st
er D li n i a n g ul i s t es ross e, e e s, e

fi g ur i s (s . B aur D i e , phi los We r ke . d es Robe r t Gr oss eteste ,

S 59.

i st g a n z u nv e rk e n n b a r . V gl . S 7 8 * ffeb d . .

Op M aj , p i v , di c
. . . t . I, e p 3, e d B r i d e s , i
.
g . . 10 8 .
48 R OG E R B A CON

n ac h Lini e n Winke ln und Figure n Somit muss d ie o ptis che

, .

G e o m e trie ( P e rs pe c tiva) die Grundl ag e für d ie g e s amt e

Na ture rklärung a bg e b e n D i e g e om e tris c h e n Lini e n Wink e l
.
,

und Figur e n b ehe rrs c h e n d as g anz e Kraftwi rken im Unive r

sum in s e in e n e inz e ln e n Te il e n in d e n Be zi e hung e n d e r
, ,

Ding e und ihre n We c hs e lwirkung e n .

B e i Rog e r B ac on konz e ntri e rt si c h d er B e gri ff d e s

Nat urwi rk e ns g e n a u wie b e i Rob e rt G r oss e t e st e in d e m
Be griff d e r mult i pl i c at i o s pe c i e rum d i e sich n a ch d e n
‘

Ge s e tz e n d e r P e rs pe ktive vollzi e ht .

Au c h d ie P e rs pe ktive s e lbst von Rog e r B ac on s ehr

,

a us führli c h von Rob e rt Gross e t e st e nur g a nz flü c htig und

,

skizz e nh aft b e h and e lt ( e b e n nur insowe it als s i e zum ,

Ve rständnis d e s Kra ft wirke ns od e r d e r Kr a ftlini e n di e nt ) ,

bie t e t e ine Anz ahl par alle l e r G e d anke n ve r e inz e lt sog ar ,

f a st wo rt li c h gl e i c h e r St e ll e n .

Di e Unt e rs c h e idung d e r V irtus ac c i d e nt a lis i m Natur

wirke n von d er V i r tus princ i palis d ie Eint e ilung d e s Natur
,

wirke ns in e in Wirk e n su pe r line is su pe r angulis ( und zwar,

pe rfrac t i o ne m per d u pli c e m fra c t i one m p e r re fle xi o nem)

, ,

und e ndlic h su pe r figuris ( n amlic h n ac h s pharis ch e n und

pyr a mid a l e n Figur e n) b e i Rog e r B acon h at wi e d e rum ihr e n

Vorg a ng Rob e rt Gross e t e st e

bei .

D ie Le hr p unkt e ub e r d ie Nat urwi rksa mke i t in g e r a d e n

Lini e n ub e r d i e Stärk e d e r s e nkr e c ht e in fall e nd e n Kr a ft
,

linie n und ihre Uni formi t as ub e r de n Ein fall d e r Kr aftlini e n

,

im Winke l b e i zwe i Me di e n von ve rs c hie d e n e r Di c htigke it ,

üb e r d ie Stärk e d e r r e fle kt ie rt e n Kr a ft be i p oli e rt e n und

r auh e n e b e n e n und konkave n Korpe rn üb e r d ie e in fac h e
, ,

und do ppe lt e Strahl e nbre c hung üb e r d as Sta rke ve rhält nis

,

d e r g e bro c h e n e n g e g e nüb e r d e r re fle k t ie rt e n Kra ft d e r n ac h ,

r e c htshin g e bro c h e n e n g eg e nüb e r d e r n ac h links g e bro

c h e ne n e n dlich
,
üb e r d as Wirk e n d e r Na turkrä ft e n ac h
Figur e n in Kug e l form od e r Pyr amid e n form und d ie je we ili
,

g e n S t a rk e v e rh ä l t ni s s e a l l d as wird von Rog e r B ac on in

 EI NF LUSS DES R OBE RT GR OSS ETE STE 49
durch aus ube re i ns t i mme nd e r We is e mit d e n Aus fuh runge n
d e s Rob e rt Gross e t e st e b e h a nd e lt Ic h h a b e in m e in e m .

d emnä c hst e rs c he in e nd e n B uc h Di e P hilosophi e des Robert ,

Grosseteste Münst e r (Asc h e nd o rff) 1 91 4 d e n Na c hw e is e in e r

, , ,

nic ht s e lt e n g anz wörtlic h e n Ü b e re instimmung e rbrac ht

und d ar f auf d a ss e lb e ve rwe is e n .

Man h at e s fe rn e r als Ve rdie nst d e s Roge r Ba c on b e ze ich

ne t ,
!
d a ss e r als e rst e r unt e r d e n La t e in e rn d e s Mitt e l alt e rs
d i e Lehre von den B renn kugel n und d e r ihn e n e ig e ntümli c h e n
Strahl e nbre c hung in Angriff g e no m m e n h ab e Ab e r auc h .

hi e r ist e s wi e d e r d e r a nre g e nd e Einfl uss d e s Rob e rt Gross e

t est e g e we s en d e r unve rke nnb a r a uf Rog e r B ac on s t attge
,

f und e n hat Wa s Rog e r Bac on ( Op M aj e d B ridg e s i 1 1 3

. . .
, .
,
.

De multi pli ca ti one speci eru m e d Bridge s ii 3 47 1 Com , .

, .
,

ma n n at i 5 e d St e e l e 30 ff ) d a rüb e r s c hr e ibt ist w e nn

. .
, .
, .
,
.
, ,

au c h ni c ht so a us führli c h so do c h d e r S a c h e n ac h o ft mit d e n , ,

s e lb e n R e d e we ndunge n s c hon b e i Rob e rt Gross e t e st e zu l e s e n .

2

Au c h in ihr e n Aus fuhrunge n üb e r d i e opti schen Tau

schu ngen stimm e n b e id e üb e r e in Mat e ri e ll b e ruht ja d as .
,

was s i e d a rüb e r zu s ag e n h a b e n dur c h a us auf ält e r e n ,

V orl ag e n auf Euklid Ptol e mäus H e ron Alki nd i Alh a ze n , , , ,

.

Ab e r d e r U m st a nd d ass a u c h form e ll we itg e h e nd e Ü b e re in

,

stimmung b e st e ht lässt d e n S c hluss als b e r e c htigt ersc he i

,

ne n d a ss d i e Abhängigk e it Bac ons von Gross e t e st e a u c h

,

für di e s e Fr a g e n als m ögli c h b e z e i c hn e t we rd e n d a r f

Auf d i e nur t e ilwe is e a ll e rdings wie d e r vi e l fac h wortli c he ,

Ü b e r e instimmung in d e r M eteorologi e soll k e in a llzu gross e s

G ewic ht g e l e gt we rd e n we il s ie wi e e s s c he int a uf d ie , , ,

g e m e ins am e Que lle aus we lc he r b e id e o ffe nb a r schö pft e n

, ,

zur uc k zu füh re n ist .

S V o gl D i e P hy i k R g r B a con D i ss E la n g e n 1 9 0 6 S 7 9 f
.
, s o e s, r , , . .

B e s o n d e s b e i c h n n d f ü d i u n mi tt e lb a r Ab h n gi gk e i t d s
r ze e r e e a e

R og e r B a c o n v o n G o s s e t e st c h in t e s d ass b i d e [ us d
r e e rs e ,
e a er

S c h ri f t D p p i t ti bu
e ru m
ro d a sse lb
r e a Be i sp i e l w ähl n und
s re e e

d a b e i d e n A us d r uc k ur i na l e zu r B e z e i c h nung d e s k ug e l fö rmi g e n
G la se s ve r w e nd e n .

168 9
50 R OG E R BA CON

Ab e r auf dr e i a nd e re Rog e r Bac on und Rob e rt Gross e t e st e

g e m e ins ame Le hr punkt e mog e no c h kurz ve rwi e s e n w e rd e n .

Hie r ist zunäc hst e inm a l an die Lehre von den Kli maten ‘

ihr en Unt e rs c hi e d e n und d e n Urs ac h e n di e s e r Unt e rs c hi e d e

zu e rinn e rn Wohl b e h and e lt Rog e r Bac on a u c h di e s e n
.

Le h r punkt wi e fa st a ll e übrig e n vi e l aus führlic h e r ,

e ing e h e nd e r o ft a u c h g e n a u e r a ls Gross e t e st e
, Ab e r was e r , .

Op M af us e d Bridg e s i 1 32 ff d a rüb e r vo r tr a gt d a s h at
.
,
.
, . .
, ,

wi e d e rum t e ilwe is e wortlic he Anklänge b e i Rob e rt Gross e

t est e i n s e in e r S c hri ft De n atura l ocorum .
I

We itg e h e nd e und zwa r g a nz c h ar a kt e ristis c he Ü b er e in

stimmung lässt d ie Le hr e d e r b e id e n Männ e r u b e r E bbe und
F lut e rk e nn e n Ni c ht nur b e h a nd e ln b e id e d e n M ond als
.

Ur s ac he d e r G e ze it e n was ja an si c h ni c hts Auffall e nd e s

,

wäre ; ni c ht nur d e nke n b e id e d i e Art di e s e r Einwirkung

und ihr e Folg e n für d i e Ans c hw e ll ung d e s W ass e rs b e i d e r 2

Flut g anz gl e i c h sond e rn a u c h in d e r physik alis c h e n

,

Erkl ä r ung d e r b e tr e ffe nd e n V o f g a ng e b e st e ht zwis c h e n

Rob e r t Gross e t e st e (De n atura l ocorum) und Rog e r Ba c on
( Op M aj e d Bridg e s i 1 39 ff ) wi e d e r e in e a u ffa ll e nd e
. .
, .
, . .

Ü b e re insti mm ung B e id e zi e h e n n a mli c h d i e s c hon ob e n

.

e r wähnt e Art d e s Nat urwi rk e n s su

( p e r li me is a ngulis e t ,

fig uris ) zur Erk lärung h e r a n : D i e ub e r d e m Me e r e a n e in e m

b e stimmt e n Ort a u fg e h e nd e n St rahl e n d e s Mond e s h ab e n
läng e re Lini e n und Pyra mid e n sind we nig e r s e nkr e c ht , ,

m e hr s c hi e f fall e n we nige r in r e c ht e n Winke ln auf w e rd e n

, ,

we n ig e r dire kt zu r ü c kg e str ahlt stärke r g e bro c h e n De sh alb ,

.

ist a u c h ihre Kr aft s c hwa c h e r And e rs ist e s w e nn d e r .

,

Mond mitt e n a m Himm e l st e ht d ann h ab e n s e in e Str a hl e n

kü rz e r e Lini e n und st e ile r e Pyr amid e n : s ie fa ll e n m e hr
s e nkre c ht we rde n m ehr dir e kt r e fl e kti e rt we nig e r g e bro c h e n
, ,

V gl . L . B a ur , D i e phi los ophi sche n Werke des Robert G ross e tes te ,

M un s t e r ( As c h e n d o r ff) , 19 1 2 , S 6 5 —7 2
. .

2
G ro s se t e st e g e b ra u c h t d a f ür d e n A us d r u c k a ug m e nt a t i o
und t umo r R og e r B a c o n d ag e g e n e b ulli t i o
’

(ed . B ri d g e s , i . 1 39 ff .
)
52 R OG E R BA CON

Di e u ffall e ndst e w e il g a nz c h ar akt e ristis c h e B ee i n

a

fluss ung Ba c ons dur c h Rob e rt Gross e t e st e lässt si c h fe st

st e ll e n hinsi c htli c h ihr e r Wä r metheori e Be i be id e n b e ruht .

die s e lb e auf e ine r Ar t Ato m istik auf d e r Be we gung Ze r , ,

str e uung Str a hlung und St rahle ns ammlung als ihr e n wi c h

, ,

t igs t e n E rkl ar un gs fa k t o r e n .

Be sond e rs u ffall e nd ist ihre gl e ic hl aut e nd e Erkl ärung

a

d e r Wärm e e rz e ugung dur c h di e n atürli c h e und g e w a lts a m e

B e w e gung d i e b e id e in Anl e hnung a n A r istot e l e s unt e r
,

sch e ide n In all e n Fäll e n e rgibt si c h

. so führt Gross e t e st e
a us e in e Z e rstr e uung d e r mol e kul a r e n Te il c h e n in folg e

d e r Be w e gung I n d e m gewaltsa m Be w e gt e n ist e in e do pp e lt e

.

B e we gungskr aft wirks a m e in e n atürli c h e und e in e g e w a lt

s a m e Be id e su c he n d ie e inz e lne n Te il e e in e s k orpe rlic he n

.

G e ge nst a nd e s n ac h ve rs c hi e d e n e n S e it e n hin zu b e we g e n .

Di e Folg e di e s e r ve rs c hi e d e n e n Ri e h t ungs t e nd e nz ist e in e

Ze rs t r e uungst e nd e nz ( di sgregati o ma teri a e) in d e n Mol e
k ul ar t e il e n di e s e s Ko rp e rs Da r aus e ntwi c k e lt si c h Wärm e
. .

Be i d e r Au fwa rt s b e we gung sind d i e Ri e h t ung st e nd e nze n

d er n a t ü rli c h e n und g e w alts a m e n B e w e gung e in a nd e r dir e kt
e ntg e g e n w e sh a lb d ar aus d i e d e nkb a r gr o s s t e Ze rs t r e uungs
,

t e nd e nz und d a rum au c h d ie d e nkb a r g ro ss t e Wärm e sic h

e rgibt B e i s c hi e fe r od e r s e i t wart ige r B e w e gung ist di e s e
.

d ag e g e n g e ring e r .

G a nz d ass e lb e g ilt nun ab e r a u c h fur d ie naturli che

Be we gung Au c h s ie e ntwic ke lt Wärm e a us d e ns e lb e n
.

U rs ac h e n D i e s e e ntst e ht d a r a us d a ss d ie n a türli c h e
.
,

B e we gung n ac h d e r Erdmitt e zu e r folgt Nun a b e r tritt .

a u c h hi e r n e b e n d i e n a tü r li c h e Ri e h t un gs t e n d e n z no c h e in e

g ewalts am e ihr e ntg e g e ng e s e tzt e hinzu Dass e in e n atur

, , .

li c h e Rie h tungs t e nd e nz d e m Erdmitt e l punkt e ntg e g e n vor

h and e n s e i wird a ls zug e g e b e n b e tr a c ht e t Ein e g e wa lt
,
.

s am e Be we gu n g und dive rgie re nd e Rie ht ungs te nd e nz a b e r

Ro b t G s e t t e i n d
er S h i ft D ca lo s oli s b e i L B a ur D i
ro s es er c r e re .
, e

phi los Werke

. de s Robert G rosseteste ,
S . 80 f .
 E I NFLUSS DES R OBERT GR OSS ETESTE 53

e ntst e ht d adurc h d ass d e r s c hwe r e Kor pe r als Ga nzes

,

si c h d e m E rdmitt e l p unkt zu b e w e gt S e ine kle inst e n m at e

.

ri e lle n Te il e b e h alt e n inn e rh alb d e s G e s a mtkör p e rs b e im

Fall e n gl e ic he n Abst a nd von e in and e r fa ll e n a lso in g e n au,

pa r all e l e n Lini e n n ac h unt e n S elbst ins Un e ndli c h e fort

.

ge führt tre ffe n si c h di e s e ni e m als in e i nem Punkt e a lso

a u c h ni c ht im Erdmitt e l p unkt Währe nd also d ie Mole k u

.

lart e il e d es Kör p e rs n a tü rli c h e r we is e d e m Erdmitt e l punkt

zu str e b e n we rd e n s ie t atsä c hli c h nic ht d e m Erd ze ntrum
,

zu a lso g e g e ns e itig in e in e m s p itz e n Wink e l son

d e rn paral l e l b e we gt So e ntst e ht a u c h hi e r wie d e r e in e
.

do ppe lt e Ri e ht ungs t e nd e nz und d ar aus d i e Wärm e Do c h .

ist in di e s e m F all d ie G e g e ns atzspa nnung ni c ht so st ark

wie im e rst e n F all d e r g e w alts a m e n Be w e gung De sh alb .

bringt d ie n atürlic h e Be we gung u nt e r a ll e n Be we gungs

form e n d i e g e ringst e n a türli c h e Wärm e im Be w e gt e n
he rvor .

D i e s e G e d a nk e n finde n b e i Rog e r Bac on ( Op M aj e d . .

‚ .

Bridg e s i 1 6 8 ) ihr e n ah e zu wo rtli c h e Wi e d e r holung e b e nso

,
.
,

wi e d i e Le hr e d e s Rob e rt Gross e t e st e d a ss a ls w e it e r e ,

Urs ac h e d e r Wärm e d i e St rahle nsammlung collecti o radi o ,

rum wi e b e im B r e nngl a s od e r b e i d e r W a rm e in T äl e rn
, , ,

i n Erwag ung zu zi e h e n s e i g e n a u so wi e d e r von Rog e r

,

Bac on ( Op M aj e d Bridg e s i 1 1 3 f ) v e rtr e t e n wi rd

. .
, .
,
. . .

Aus d e m G e s agt e n d ar f mit voll e r Si c h e rh e it d e r S c hluss

ge zog e n we rd e n d ass d i e wiss e ns c h aftli c h e Ri c htung d e s
,

Rog e r Bac on di e so d e utli c h ja so e xkl usiv auf Ph ilologi e

, ,

und Naturwiss e ns c h aft e ing e st e llt ist d ass B a c on nicht ,

m e hr zum V e rständnis und zu e in e r g e re c ht e n We rtung d e r

‚

s pe kul ative n Wiss e ns c haft zu komm e n ve rm ag in g a nz ,

h e rvorr a g e nd e r We is e auf s e ine n Le hre r Rob e rt Gross e t e st e

zur uc k g e h t V on ihm und Ad a m d e Mar is c o h at e r a uc h
.

di e G e ist es ri c htung e m p fa ng e n d i e a ll e s Wiss e n in Unt e r

,

ordnung unt e r di e The ologi e b e tri e b e n wiss e n wollt e und

inn e rh alb d e r Th e ologi e e in e st a rk e Be vorzugung d es
54 R OG E R BA CON

S c hri ftstudiums d e r Ex eg e s e e rke nn e n l asst und e in e n

, ,

st a rk asze tis c h en mystis c h e n fast mo c ht e m an s ag e n in

, ,

t ui t i o ni st isc h e n und tr a dition alistis c h e n Zug ve rrät Es .

ist durc h aus ri c htig we nn P Hugo Hove r s c hr e ibt

, . Der
hoh e We rt d e n Rob e rt Gross e t e st e d e m S p rac hstudium
,

und d e n e xpe rim e nt e ll e n Wiss e ns c h aft e n b e il e gt e d ie Unt e r ,

ordnung all e s Wiss e ns unt e r d i e The ologie und d as Studium

d er hl S c hri ft s p i e g e ln si c h in d e n W e rk e n B ac ons g e tr e u
.
,

wi e d e r .
’

P . Hug o H o v e r O r d Ci s t , . R o g e r B a c o n s H yl o m o r phi smu s als

f i hi
’
G ru n d l a g e sein er p hi l o s o p h A n s c h a uu
. n g e n i n a h r b , P h l osop e . .

un d spe ku l The olog i e b gb v E Co m m e r x x v

.
, . . . 2 0 7 ( a uc h
, .

s e p ara te r s c hi e n e n ) V g l n o c h G M M a us e r O rd P ra e d
. . . R og e r
.
, . .
,

u n d s e i n e G e w äh r s m a n n e r i n Z e i ts chr f P hi l os u n d s pe kul
’
B a c on , . . . .

T he ol xxvi i . 1 ff .
 LA P L A C E D E RO GE R B A CON PA RMI LE S
P H I LO SO P HE S DU XI I I SI ECL E 5 ‘

PAR FRANCOI S P I CAV ET

LE n e uv 1e me , onz i e m e e t le d o uz1e me l e d i x 1e m e ,
le
5 1e c l e nous p rés e nt e nt d e s p e ns e urs r e m a rqu abl e s surtout ,

c h e z l e s B yz a ntins l e s Ar a b e s e t l e s Jui fs Au X I I I 2 °
.
, ,

un e c iv i lis a tion nouv e ll e a p p ar a i t d a ns l Oc c i d e n t c hréti e n

’
.

Ell e a bsorb e l e s a c quisitions a ntéri e ur e s d e l h um an i t é

’

e t e ll e y j oint son a pp ort p ro p r e Ell e a d e gr a nds s a v a nts .

,

d e s philoso p h e s m a rqu a nts d e s théologi e ns origin a ux ,

.

Auss i le X I I I s 1e e l e e s t i l une p ériod e im p ort a nt e d a ns

e -

l h is t o i re d e l h u m a ni t é e t d a ns e e lle du c hristi a nism e

’ ’

M Li ttl e
. a d o nn é , d ans le v olu m e I I I d e s p ub l i c a t i o n s d e la
t t
B r i i sh So c i e y o f F r a n c i s ca n S u d i e s d e 1 9 1 I un D e Oper i bus Rog er i t ,

J a i d a n s l e s E ss a i s s ur l hi s toi re g e n era le e t compa rée d es

’
B a con
’ ’ ’

.
,

théol ogi es et d es phi l os op hi es me di e va les P a ri s Al e a n r é un i

’ ’

, 1 9 1 3, , ,

une t
p a r i e d e s re c h e rc h e s q u e j a i f a i e s o u d i r i g é e s su r R o g e r B a c o n
’
t
ch .
,
’
t
i e t i i E n se i g n e m e n e t r e c h e r c h e s ä 1 Ec o l e d e s H au e s E ud e s t t
et ä l a F a c ul é d e s L e t tt re s ch . x ,
Ed i t i o n s f a i t e s et a f a i re d e R o g e r
Bac on (pp .
9 32 )
20 — ch . xi, L e m ai t re d es e x p ér i e n c e s Pi e r r e d e
,

M a ri c o urt ,
’
L e x ég é t e et le t h é o l ogi e n v an tés p a r R og e r B a c o n
( pp . 2 33—5 4 ) ch . x ii , J e an d i s c i p l e d e Ro ge r B a c o n ( p p 2 5 5 —6 4) .

ch . xi ii , Q u e l q u e s -u n s d e ceu x
q u e c o mb a R o g e r B a c o n t ,
Al e xa n d re
d e H ales t l e G a n d S T h o m a s (p p 2 6 5 — 7 8 )
, Alb e r r , . . ch . x i v D e ux,

d i re c t i o n s d e l a t h eo lo g i e e t d e l e x é g é s c a t h o li q u e s m sié cl e ,
’
e au x e

S Th o m a s d A q ui n e t R o g e r B a c o n (pp L a Re vue des D e ux

’
. . 27 9

t
M on des d o i p ub l i e r l e 1 5 2 ui n u n ar i c l e j t su r l a f o rm a i o n i n t t e l l e c t ue l l e
d e R o ge r B a c o n U n e b ib l i o g r a phi e c o m p l é t e a é t é d o n n é e d a n s c e s
.

t x
d i v e rs e s p ub l i c a i o n s a u q u e l l e s i l f a u o i n d r e l E s qu i sse d u n e hi s toi r e
, tj ’ ’

e l m d h i l h i m di l é d , P a r i s , Al c a n
’ '

g n e r a e e t co p are e es p os o p es é é va e s 2 °
, . .

hi s toi re ge n er a le e t compa r ée des phi losophi es mé di é

’
E squ i s s e d
’
2
une

va le s , 2 éd P a r i s A l c a n c h v i i pp 1 4 1 7 7
° -
. . . .
, , , ,
 56 R OG E R B A CON

d ans ’
l h i s t o i re d e s a rts ,
des s c i e nc es ,
d es l e ttr e s ,
c omm e
d ans ce ll e d es r e li g i o us e t d e s p h i l os o ph i e s .
I

Il gr a nd p our
est
'

l h i st o i re du c hristi a nism e
’
c ar l e ,

c a tholi c ism e y a tt e int son pl e in déve lo pp e m e nt e n t h éo

logi e e t e n philoso phi e C e st ä lui que r e vi e nn e nt l e s .
’

P é r e s du Con c il e d e Tr e nt e p our lutt e r a u XV I s i é c l e e

c ontr e l a Ré form e c e st d e lui q u e s e ré c l a m e Léon X III

’

a u XI X p our
e
c omb a ttr e l a p hiloso p hi e mod e rn e e n e m ,

p runt a nt a u p ré a l a bl e a l a s c i e n c e tout c e qui p e ut e ntr e r

d a ns l e s c on c e p tions o r thodox e s .
2

Q u e l e X III S i ec l e doiv
e
e fi g u re r d a ns l h i s t o i r e d e l h u ,
’ ’

m ani t é ä c ö t é d e s s i e c l e s d e P eri c l es d Aug us t e d e L éon X

*
’

, , ,

ou d e Louis XIV on l e voit d ab o rd p ar l e x am e n d e c e,

’ ’

q u e f ur e nt l e s p p
a e s l e s souv e r a ins t e m p or ,e ls e t l e s p pe u l e s ,

qui obéiss e nt ä l e ur di r e c tion ou l es p rovoqu e nt ä l a c t i o n ’

.

I nno c e nt III G regoir e I X I nno ce nt IV Urb a in I V

, , , ,

Ni c ol as I V B oni fac e V II I dirig e nt ä p e u p rés s a ns c o nt r öl e

, , ,

le s affair e s s p iritu e ll e s d e l a c hréti e nté P a r fois ils sont .

sur l e p oint d e régir l e t e m p or e l c omm e l e s piritu e l a ve c ,

l aid e d e s o r dr e s m e ndi a nts dont l ac t i o n e s t a lors si

’

,
’

c onsidér a bl e d a ns l a p rédi c a tion e t d a ns l e ns e i g n e m e n t

’

d ans l e gouve rn e m e nt e t l a surv e ill an c e d e s e s p rits Le

p a p e é c r it Rog e r B a c on ( Bridg e s ii
,
e s t l e médi a t e ur , .

e ntr e Di e u e t l es homm e s l e législ a t e ur e t l e souv e r a in ,

p onti fe qui a p l e in p ouvoir d a ns l e s c ho s e s t e m p or e ll e s

e t s p iritu e ll e s c omm e un D i e u hum a in qu il e s t p e r m is
’

d a d o re r a p r es D i e u Le s souv e r a ins l a i qu e s Phili pp e

’ ’
.
,

August e Frédéric II S Louis Al phons e X Phili pp e l e

, , .
, ,

B e l n e sont p as in f éri e urs a ux P a p e s

, Frédéri c II as p ir e .

ä c ré e r une roy a uté unive rs e ll e qui s ét e n d rai t d e l a B altiqu e ’

a l a Mongoli e S Louis e st sous la form e c hréti e nn e un

. .
, ,

F ra nco i s P i c av e t , E s qu i s se c h v i ii La , .
, r a i so n e t la s ci e n c e d an s
l es p h il o s o p hi e s m é d i é v a l e s pp 1 7 8 —2 1
5 , . .

2
E s qu i s s e , ch . i x La
, re s a u ra t t i o n t h o m i st e a u 1x e s i é c l e , pp . 2 16

2 88 ; E ss a i s , c h . x
v i i i , T h o mi s m e et mo d e rni sm e d a ns l e m o n d e
ca t h o li q ue p p 34 6 —6 7
, . .
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LES PH ILOS OPH ES 57

d homm e s qui a tr a ve rs le s s i e c l e s o nt l e plus a imé

es , ,

l a j usti c e e t l e p lus tr a v a illé ä son triom ph e En Fr a n ce .

,

e n Angl e t e r re e n I t a li e e n Fl a ndr e l e s p e u p l e s p arti c i p e nt

, , ,

d e plus e n p lus a l a v i e p olitiqu e .

Q u nt ts l é m v ill us t h
’
é
'

a a u x a r o
p q u e e s t e r e e e p a r,
se s c a

d ral e s s e s f ort e r e ss e s f éod al e s se s h ö t e ls d e vill e s e s

, , ,

b e ffrois e t se s p onts p ar bi e n d a ut re s é d i fic e s qui e n ,

’

sont r e stés Comm e a u t e m ps d e Phidi as l arc h i t e c t ure

.
,
’

e s t c o m p lété e p ar l a p e intu r e e t l a s c ul p t u r e La musiqu e ‘

.
,

r e ligi e us e e t pro fa n e s ajo ut e a ux a utr e s a r ts Les l a ngu e s ,

’
.

n ation al e s s e fo r m e nt e n Angle t e rre e n All e m a gn e e n , ,

Fr a n c e e n Es p agn e e t e n Portug a l p rovoq u a n t l ap pari

, ,
’

tion e t pré p a r a nt la c roiss a n c e d e littér a tur e s nouv e ll e s

dont l un e au moins a ve c D a nt e e t l a Divin e Comédi e
’

, ,

a tt e int p r e squ e du r mi r ou l r f tion 2

p e e c p a p e e c .

C e st d a ns Univ e rsités
nombr e l e s Ec ol e s dont
’
l es et ,
le
e t l i mp o r t a n e e s i ng ul 1e r e m e n t c e st che z
’ ’ ’
s a c e r o i sse n t ,

l e s sé c uli e r s e t l e s réguli e rs surtout p a r mi l e s Fr a n c is c a ins ,

e t l e s D omini c a ins u e s e oduit l e t r a v a il s e i e nt i fi q u e

q p r , ,

théologiqu e e t philoso phiqu e On p ourr a it d o ne disti n gu e r .

l e s m aitr e s d a pr es l e grou p e m e nt a uqu e l ils s e r a tt ac h e nt

’
.

Ma is il v a ut m i e ux s u ivr e l a c hronologi e e n t e n a nt c om p t e ,

tout a l a fois d e s livr e s c o m p osés d e s qu e stions tr a ité e s ,

e t d e l a c t i vi t é d es
’

p rin c i p a ux p e rsonn a g e s .
3

S ur l
’
ar t du x 111° s i ec l e , o n t
p e u v o i r A d ol fo e n u ri S tor i a d e l V t ,

M i l a n o H o e pl i i ii ä v iii ; M al e L a r t r el i g i e ux
’
l i ta li a n a
’
a r te , , ,
vol .
,

du x i i i 5
s i éc le , P a r i s Co li n
, .

2
S ur l a m u si q u e ,
v oi r H ug o R i e m a nn Ges ch d er M us i ktheor i e i m , .

i x —z i x
. .
j a hrhun dert , 1 89 8 ; J Ab e r t D i e M us i ka n s cha u ung d es
.
,

M i ttela lte rs und i hre Gru n d lag e n ,

L e i p zi g , 190 5 Co mb a r i e u ,

H i s toi re d e la mus i que P a ri s Co l i n v o l i , , , . .

5
D o uai s E ss a i s ur l org a n zs a ti o n des é tu d es d a n s l des F r éres
’ ’

, or dr e

P r éche u rs , P a ri s , 1 8 84 D e n i fle ,
D i e Un i ve rs i tä ten de s M i tte la lte r s
bi s 14 0 0 ,
B e rli n , 1 885 ; D e ni fle et Ch a t e la i n ,
C har tu l a r i u m Un i ver
s i ta ti s P ar i s i en s i s , P a r i s , 1 8 89 —
97 , 4 v o ls . in 4 -
°
H F e ld e r
. , Ges c hi chte
58 R OG E R B A CON

U ne p r e mi er e division c onduit du début du x 111e 5 1e c e l

ä l a nn ée 1 2 2 8 Oh G u ill au m e d Auv e rg ne
’

,
’
e st nommé ä
’
l év é c h é d e Pa ris u ne s e c ond e m en e jus qu e n 1 2 5 7 jus qu au ’

,
'

m om e nt o ü l e s ordr e s m e ndi a nts trio m ph e nt d e l Uni v e r

’

sit e d e P aris l a trois i e me v a j usqu a l a m ort d Alb e rt le ’

G r a nd e n 1 2 8 0 l a d e r n i e r e l a iss e e ntr e voir d éjä le s d ire c

tions qu e suivront l e s su c c e ss e ur s d e s g r a nds homm e s du X II I ‘
5

3 1e c l e e t s e t e r m in e e n 1 3 1 5 a l a mort d e R a y m ond Lull e .

S ans dout e c e rt a in e s qu e s tions c o m m e c e ll e s du p ouvoir

s p iritu e l e t du p ouvoir t e m p o r e l d e 1 Ev angile ét e rn e l ,
’

d e s r a pp orts e ntr e Ch r é ti e ns e t J ui fs ont ét é dis c uté e s ,

_

p e nd a nt tou t l e X III s i é e l e ; c e rt a ins homm e s °

q u e l on ,
'

p l ac e d ans u n e p ériod e ont a ussi dé p loyé l e ur a c tivité ,

d a ns l es é p oqu e s qui pr é c éd é re nt ou qui suivir e nt Ma is .

si c e s divisions n e c o rre s p ond e nt p as d un e fa c on e x ac t e ’

a l a ré alit é e ll e s o n t c e p e nd a nt l av a n t a g e d e f a voris e r l e s
’

r e c h e r c h e s e t d e f a c ilit e r l e x o s i t i o n d e s d o c t ri n es
’ I

p .

D a ns l a p r e m i er e s e p rés e nt e nt d a b ord D a vid d e D in ant

’
,

Am aury d e B e nn e s e t le s Albig e ois On r e c u e ill e e t on ,

.

r ass e m bl e le s tr a du c tions d oe uvr e s gr e c qu e s e t byz a ntin e s

-
’

a r a b e s e t j uiv e s Le s Univ e rsit és e ntr e nt d a ns l e ur p l e in

.

f on c tionn e m e nt e t a c e ll e d e P a r is G u ill a um e d Auv e rgn e

’

acc o m p lit son oe u vr e hiloso hiqu S Fr n c ois A i

’

p p e a d ss se . .

e t S Do m iniqu e f ond e nt e t o r g a nis e nt d e ux ordr e s r e ligi e ux

2
. .

d . wi s s e n sc h S tu d i e n i m F ra n c i s ka n eror den bi s um d i e M i tte de s 13

. .

a hr h F r e i b ur g i m B r e i sga u 1 9 0 4
.
, H R a s h d a l l T he Un i vers i ti e s
, .
,

of E u r ope i n the M i d d le A ges ,

x
O fo r d ,
1 89 5 P a uls e n , Gesch . d es

g e le hr te n Un ter r i c hts ,
L e i p zi g , 1 8 9 6 —7 H ila r i n ,
H i s to i re des é tu des
d a ns l
’
or dr e d e S F r a n go i s t r f r a n o d u P , . . . E u s é b e P a r i s , Pi c a rd
,
.

S u r l e s d i v i s i o ns d e l hi s t o i r e g é n é ra l e mp a r é e d e s p h i l o
’
et co

s op h i e s m é d i é v a l e s v o i r E s qu i s s e ch iii 63 ch v i ii,
pp 4 2 -
.
, , .
, .

pp . 1 7 8 —2 1 5 . S ur l e x 111° s i é c l e o n peu t c o n s ul e r t le s t
a u e urs c at h o

li que s et t h o m i st e s , St o e k l , de W ulf , co mm e H a uré a u H i s toi re ,

d e la p hi l os ophi e s c ol a s ti
que , ii . 1 et 2 . V oi r a uss i no s E ss a i s , ch . i ,

11, 111, w , ix, x ,

x 1, x i i ,
x 1i 1, x i v , x v i .

2
Sur D av id de D i na n t , on peu t v oir U e b e rwe g ,
ii . 26 ;
H a uré a u , H i s toi re de l a phi los ophi e s c ol a s ti qu e , ii . 1, ch . iv ( q ui le
 60 R OG E R B A CON

t rois i e m e p ér iod e e s t d e s p lus f éc ond e s Alb e rt l e

La .

Gr and e s t le m aitr e l e plus é c out é d e l a c hréti e nt é a va nt ,

S hom s nn a p r e m 1e r e p l a c e d a ns 1 Eglis e
’

q u e T a p r.e e l
c omm e c h e z l e s D omini c a ins Il y a lutt e e ntr e l a dire c .

tion thomist e e t c e ll e q ue Rog e r B ac on e üt voulu donn e r

ä 1 Eglis e e t ä l a c hréti e nt é Le s résult a ts s c i e nt i fi que s
’
.
,

p hiloso p hiqu e s e t r e ligi e ux d e s e x p lor a tions du X I I I S i é c le e

,

c e u x d e s r e c h e r c h e s ou d e s médit a tions d e V in c e nt de
Be auv a is d e S B on a v e ntur e c e ux qu on doit a u x s a v a nts
’
.
, ,

d e tout ordr e a pp a r a iss e nt e n p l e in e lumi er e ,

A Const a n .

t in o p l e l e s Gr e c s réorg a nis e nt l e s étud e s Mais l e s c o n .

d amn a tions pronon c é e s d e 1 2 5 8 a 1 2 8 0 c ontr e l Ev ang il e ,

’

ét e rn e l e t l e s s p iritu e ls c ontr e l e s Av e rr ms t e s l atins c ontre , ,

d e s Fr a n c is c a ins e t d e s D omini c a ins t émoign e nt q ue l a ,

lib e rté d e l a r e c h e rc h e e t d e l a p e nsé e sont s i nguli ér e me nt

r e s t re i nt e s
I
.

Da ns l a d e rm e re p ériod e tro u v e p lus ni Alb e rt , 0 11 ne

l e Gr a nd ni S Thom as ni V in c e nt d e B e a uv a is ni S B on a
, .
, , .

ve ntur e Rog e r B ac on n e c ons e rve a u c u n e c h a n c e d a gir

.
’

sur s e s c ont e m p or a ins Il r e st e H e n r i d e G and D uns S c ot .

, ,

R aym ond Lull e dont l oe uv re s e r a t e rminé e e n 1 3 1 5 On ’

.

voit alo r s ass e z n e tt e m e nt c e qu o nt fa it p e nda nt l e X II I ’

e

s re c l e e n théologi e e t e n hiloso hi e l e s Univ e rsit és e t

,
p p ,

l e s ord r e s m e ndi a nts l es sé c ul i e rs e t l e s réguli e rs c omm e , ,

d es ch r é t i e n s e t d e s j uif s ,
voi r N . V a loi s , op . cit Fr a n co i s P i c a v e t ,
E s qu i s se , 2° ed .
, pp . 2 47 — 5 1 . Sur l e s r a p p o rt s d e s U n i v e rs i é s t et des
o rd r e s m e n d ian t s ,
v oir le s o uv ra g e s r e l a t i fs a ux t
U n i v e r si é s F e ld e r ,

(p 5 7
.
3), no e t
M a n d o nn e t , S i ger de B ra ba n t e t l A ve rrozs me la ti n , ’ '

2 V O IS d e s P hi l os op he s be lge s Lo u v a i n 1 9 0 8
.
S u r Ar i st o t e v o i r .
, , ,

J o u rd a m Re che rche s c ri ti qu es s ur l dge e t l ori g i n e de s tr a du cti ons

’ ’

l a ti n e s d A r i s tate Pa r i s 1 8 49 H a ur éa u D e nifle e t Ch a e la i n ,
, , ,
t
cit Su r l I n qu i si t i on v o i r L e a
’
op . .
, H i s tory o f the I nqu i s i ti on , t r .

f ra me d e . S Re i na ch P a ri s 1 90 2
.
, , .

S u r la d i r e c i o n h o m i s t t t e e t l a d i re c t io n b a c o n i e nn e v o i r Fr a n co i s ,

P i cav e t D e u x d i r e c t i o ns d e l a t h é o lo i e e t d e l e x é é s c a t h o l i u e s ’
,
g g q e
au x m e
s i ec l e ,
’
Re vue d hi s toi re d es
’

re li g i ou s , 19 0 5 ; Comptes r en du s

mora les
'
d e l A c de s sc E ssa i s 1 9 1 3, c h x iv
.
, 1 90 5 , . .
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LE S PH ILOS OPH E S 61

l i nflue nc e q ue tous e ns e mbl e ils ont e x e r c é e sur l e s a rts

’

e t sur l a littér a tur e p ro fa n e Le s dis c ussions r e l a tiv e s .

au p ouvoir s p iritu e l e t a u p ouvoir t e m p or e l a u droit c a non ,

e t a u droit rom a in s e mbl e nt sus pe ndu e s p our un t e m p s

,

p a r l a vi c toir e d e Phili pp e l e B e l dont l e s c onséqu e n c e s ,

s e ront c onsidér a bl e s d ans l e dom a in e philoso phiqu e c omm e

d ans l a v i e r e ligi e us e .
‘

Qu e l fut d o n e l e but q ue p oursuivir e nt c ons c i e mm e nt ,

ou non l e s pe ns e urs le s mi e ux doués du X II I s i é c le ?

,
e

D ab o r d ils d e va i e nt c ons e rv e r l e s c onn aiss a n c e s d e s L a tins

’

qui le s a va i e nt p ré c édés p uis e x amin e r a ve c soin tout c e ,

qui l e ur v e n a it du mond e gr e e e t byz antin a r a b e e t j uif , .

Le s donné e s se i e nt i fi qu e s e t p hiloso phiqu e s S y m é le nt

’

a d e s c on c e ptions r e ligi e us e s ou théologiqu e s qui n ét a nt

’
.
,

pas m em e touj ours orthodox e s p our l e s Chréti e ns ori e nt a ux ,

p our le s Musulm a ns ou p our l e s Jui fs n e s a ur a i e nt é t r e ,

p our l e s c a tholiqu e s q ue d e s nouv e a ut és d a ng e r e us e s ou

d e s hé r ési e s Ma is c onvi e nt il p our e e t e x a m e n d e s e n
’
-
.
, ,

r a pp ort e r aux tr a du c tions d éjä fa it e s ou fa ut i l r e c ourir -

a ux t e xt e s origin a ux e t p ar c onséqu e nt étudi e r l h éb r e u

’

l e gr e e e t l a r a b e ? Qu a nd on a éli m iné d e s a ut e urs p r i s

’

e n e ux m em e s ou d a ns l e urs tr a du c tions
-
tout c e qui ,

risqu e d e nuir e a l a p ur e t é d e la fo i 0 11 pe ut r e c u e illir l es ,

élém e nts d o r d re s c i e nt ifi que e t philoso phiqu e e n not a nt

’

l e s li e ns p a r fois div e rs qui l e s uniss e nt e t l a méthod e qui

s e rvit ä le s a ss e mbl e r Puis il y a li e u d e systé m a tis e r si .
,

on l e v e u t le s résult ats d e prove n a n c e a nc i e nn e ou ré c e nt e

, , ,

p our e n f orm e r u n e mét a p hysiqu e c ohé r e nt e d a ns s e s

p a rti e s e ss e nti e ll e s e t c ohér e nt e a v e c tout e s s e s b a s e s
x
S ur l i n flu e n c e q u o nt e e r c é e l e s oe u v r e s p h il o s o p hi q u e s e n l a i n
’ ’
t
sur tt t
l a l i é ra ur e p r o f a n e d e x 111 s iec l e il y a b e a u c o u p ä fa i r e
°
, .

On p e u v t
o i r G a s o n P a ris L a t
l i ttér a tur e f ra n ca i s e a u moy e n dg e
, ,

3 éd
°
.
, P aris , 1 90 5 . Su r l e s t
ar s , v o ir M äl e , op . cit . S u r l e s d i s c us
sions re l at i v e s a u p o uv o i r t
s p i r i ue l et aup o uv o i r t e mp o r e l , vo i r

P a ul J an e t H i s toi re de la
, s ci e n ce poli ti que da n s ses ra pports a ve c

l a mora le 4° é d , . 19 1 3 .
62 R OG E R B A CON

p ositiv es L a p hiloso p hi e a insi c onstruit e e s t e m p loyé e

.

ä c onstitu e r un e théologi e pl us e o mpré he ns i v e e t p lus

ri c h e un e do c trin e e xégétiqu e qui tr a ns form e ä son tour
,

l i nt e rpr é t a t i o n d e s t e xt e s s ac rés Ainsi s e nri e h is se nt

’ ’
.

to ut e s a l a fois l e s p ar ti e s m ai t re ss e s d e l a s ag e ss e Mais .

a v a nt d e p ro c éd e r ä c e tt e syst ém a tis a tion dont l o b je t

’

e s t tri p l e on p e ut étudi e r l e s m éthod e s mis e s e n us age

,

e t voir e n l e s p r a tiqu a nt soi m em e c e qu e ll e s v a l e nt

’
-
, ,

e t c e q u e v a l e nt l e s donné e s t r a nsmis e s p uis l e s e m p loy e r , ,

qu il s agis se d e c e ll e d e s m a thém a tiqu e s ou d e c e ll e d e s

’ ’

s c i e n c e s e x p é rim e n t al e s ä a ug m e nt e r l e s c onn aiss a n ce s ,

p ositiv es E n c e c as l a synth es e p hiloso p hiqu e

.
p ort a nt ,

s u r d es ac quisitions d é jä a n c i e nn e s e t sur d e s ac quisitions

tout e s nouve ll e s d e vr a etr e p ar fois r é visé e c omm e la

,

théologi e e t l e x égés e ä l a qu e ll e e ll e e st j oint e E nfi n p our

’

l ut ilis e r d a ns c e s m at ié re s e ss e nti e ll e m e nt r e ligi e us e s on

’

s e dir a p e ut etr e qu il fa ut p our l e s livr e s s ac rés c omm e p our

’
-
,

l e s livr e s pro fa n e s c o nn a i t r e l e s l a ngu e s d a ns l e squ e ll e s

,

ils sont é c rits e t n e p as s e c ont e nt e r uniqu e m e nt d e t ra duc

tions dont 0 11 ne s a ur a it c o nt r öle r l a v al e ur
Or p r e squ e tous l e s p e ns e urs du X II I 5 1e c l e ont voulu e

us e r d e l e ur r aison e t e n méme t e m ps r e st e r c hréti e ns 2 5

ou l et re mi e u x q ue l e urs p rédéc e ss e urs Si Jo ac him d e

’
.

Flor e tr a va ill a ä l avé ne me nt d e l Ev angile ét e rn e l si l e s ’ ’

Am aur i c i e ns e t l e s Albig e ois voul a i e nt p romouvoir l e r egn e

d e 1 Es p rit S a int e t a ur a i e nt ruiné s ils a v a i e nt réussi
’ ’

, ,

I Eg lise e xist a nt e institutions s e s s ac r e m e nts s a

’

s es , , ,

Ce t
ä p e u p r é s o u e s l e s q ue s i o n s q u e
so n t t t ’
s es t p o sé e s Ro ge r
mm e
’
B a c o n e t q u il a r é so lu e s d un e f a 90 n a ffi r m a t i v e
’

, co on le v e rr a

pa r l a s ui e d e l a r t i c l et ’

2
E s qu i ss e c h v i ii ’ , . .

5
S ur l e s t ro i s I mpo s t e urs , vo ir R e nan ,
A ver roes et l A verr ozs me
’
.

C t a p u p é s l a s e u l e fo m u l e ä p o p o s d e l a q u e ll e 0 11 p ui ss e p o se r
’
es e r r r

l a q u ti o n d s av o i r s i l
y n t a u x 111 s i é c l e d e s h o m m e s c o mp let e
’
es e e
°

m n t i é li g i ux Ca l e s Av e r mst e s l a t i n s s i n e l i n a i e nt d e va n t l e s
e rr e . r r
’

a ffi m a t i o n s
r
p or t é s a u n o m d e l a f o i e .
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LE S PH ILOS OPH ES 63

hiér ar c hi e e t s e s pr atiqu e s c e t a i t p our donn e r du , ,

c hristi a nism e u n e f orm e p lus p a r fa it e c o mm e l e s Chréti e ns

, ,

a v a i e nt substitué p ar un e r a ison s e mbl a bl e l e ur r e ligion

, ,

ä l a nt i que jud a15 me C e st e n s a p puya nt sur l a r a ison

’
.
’ ’

e t p lus s p é c i a l e m e nt sur l e p rin c i p e d e c ontr a dic tion

q ue
Da vid d e D in a nt e t Am a ury d e B e nn e s f ont d e Di e u l a
m a ti er e ou l e sse nc e d e s c hos e s qu ils ra mé ne nt ä l uni t é
’

,
’ ’

l e mond e e t Di e u dont s e ul l e p rin c i p e d e p e r fe c tion p e rm e t

d a ffi r m e r tout a l a f ois l e x i s t e n c e distin c t e e t l e s r a pp orts
’ ’

e ss e nti e ls C e st a u mo m d e l a r a ison e t du m em e p r in c i p e
’
.

q u e l e s A v e rr m s t e s l a tins s e r e f us e nt ä a d m e ttr e l i m mo r
’

t alit e d e l äme dont e n c roy a nts ils n e dout e nt a u c un e

’

, ,

m e nt qu ils su pprim e nt le s int e ll e c ts multi pl e s p l a c és

,
’

p ar Plotin e n v e rtu du p rin c i p e

,
d e p e r f e c tion ä c öt é d e ,

Et il f a ut not e r e n c or e l e c a r ac t er e
’
l i nt e ll e c t di vi n .
I

p ro f ondém e nt r e ligi e ux d e tous c e s homm e s q u e l E l i

g se
’

c omb a ttit a v e c t a nt d ac h ar n e m e n t c ar d a n s l i m o s s i
’ ’

p ,

bilit e p our e ux d e c ons e rve r 1 Un e t l e Multi pl e c e st l Un ’

,
’ ’

ou Di e u qu il s c ontinu e nt ä m e ttr e e n p r e mi er e lign e

’
.

Pour s e dé fe ndr e l Eglise n e s e born a p as ä c ond a mn e r ,

’

c e ux qui s e m e tt a i e nt e n o pposition a v e c e ll e d a ns l e t e m p s
prés e nt e ll e l e ur c h e r c h a p a rtout d e s c om p li c e s
,
E ll e .

fr a pp a d ab o r d l e nouv e l Ari s t o t e e t s e s c omm e nt a t e urs

’
.

Mais qu a nd J e a n S c ot Brig en e e ut été dé c l aré le vr a i

c ou p abl e p a r Honorius I II e n 1 2 2 5 Gré g o i r e I X ordonn a , ,

d es 1 2 3 1 d e x a m i ne r si c e t Ar is t o t e qu on e ns e ign a it
’ ’

ä Toulous e n e p ourr a it é t re déb a rr assé d e c e q u il y a va it ’

d e d a ng e r e ux e n lui e t ét u dié a insi d a ns t out e s l e s é c ol e s .

C e st c e q u e fi re nt d e m a ni er e ä donn e r tout e s a tis fac tion

’

ä 1 Eglis e Alb e rt l e Gr a nd e t S Tho m a s Puis 0 11 s a tt a qua

’

, . .
’

a u Ta lmud e t a ux Jui fs q u e Rog e r B ac on so u p co nn a i t ,

Su r D av i d d e D i n a n t et l e s Am a u r i c i e n s ,
v oir les o uv ra ge s c i t és ,

p .
58 , no e t 2 . Su r l e s A v e r r o rst e s l a i n s t , v oir R e n a n Ma n d o nn e t ,
,

Re vue d hi s toi re des r e lig i ous ,

’
op . cit .
; F ra n co i s Pi c a v e t , 1 90 2 ;
E s qui s se , ch . v i ii ; E ss a i s , ch . xvi et xv i i .
64 R OG E R B A CON

c omm e il s o upeo nnai t l e s Gr e c s d e fals i fie r l e s livr e s ,

s a ints a va nt d e l e s r e m e ttr e a ux c a tholiqu e s rom ains .

Le s A r a b e s d e vinr e nt sus p e c ts ä c a us e d e s Av e rr ors t es

l atins e t il f allut e n c or e l e tr a va il d e S Thom a s p our .

mont r e r c e que l on p ouv a it e m prunt e r a ux Ar ab e s e t a ux

’

Jui fs surtout ä Ave rro es e t a son cont e m p or a in Mai

,

m o n id e .
‘

A pr es 1 2 8 0 il s e form a s e mbl e t il un acc ord t ac it e tout

, ,
- -
,

a u moins e ntr e c e ux qui c r a ign a i e nt l e s nouv e a utés génér a

,

tri c e s d h érési e s e t c e ux qui e nt e nd ai e nt c ons e rve r l es

’

do c trin e s e ss e nti e ll e s e n m at 1e re s c i e nt i fique e t phil oso

,

p qh i u e d e,s G r e c s e t d e s B yz a ntins d e s Ar a b e s e t d e s Jui fs ,

.

D e p lus e n plus on ét a it s év ere p our l e s e nn e m is du Chris

t i a ni s m e A pr es a voir fa it d es Crois ad e s c ontr e le s Mus ul
.

m ans 0 11 e n fit c ontr e l e s Gr e c s c ontr e l e s Albig e ois 011 e n

, , ,

p r é c h a c ontr e Frédéri c II e t bi e n d a u t re s L I n qui s i t i o n

’
.
’

f ut c h argée d e r e c h e r c h e r l es hérétiqu e s d a ns tous l es

p a ys e h r ét i e n s E ll e im p os a .a ux h abit a nts d e s vill e s e t d e s

vill ag e s l ob ligat i on d e dénon ce r meme toute personne vi va nt

’

a utr ement qu e l a gén ér al i te d es fidél es D un a utr e c ö t é le s

' ’
.
,

D o m ini c a ins souv e nt c h argés d e r e p rés e nt e r l In quis i t i o n e s

’

, ,

t i m ére nt v e rs 1 2 8 0 q ue S Thom a s a va it mis d a ns s a synthes e .

tout c e qui est néc e ss air e aux c atholique s ils dé fe ndir e nt d one
a ux m e mbr e s d e l e ur ordr e d at t a que r l e thomism e p uis ils
’

t r a v a il lé r e nt a y g a gn e r tous l e s régul i e rs e t tous l es sé c uli e rs .

IIS réussi r e nt d a ns c e tt e doubl e e ntr e p ris e e t a u mom e nt ,

d e l a Ré form e surtout pe nd a nt le Con c il e d e Tr e nt e l e s

, ,

solutions tho m ist e s d e vinr e nt le s solutions c atholiqu e s .

2

S ur l e s c o nd am n a t io n s t t
p or é e s a p a r i r d e 1 2 0 0 , s ur l e r ö l e d e
t
l a p a p a u é v o i r D e n i fle , t
e t Ch a e l a i n , Cha r tu l a i re ; H a uréau i i 1 , , ,

e t M é moi r e s o ur d a i n J , op . cit M a n d onn e t No el ,

V a lo i s , op . cit
Re na n ,
op . cit Dr . G u tt m a n n , D i e S chola s ti k d es dre i ze hn te n
a hr hu n der ts i n i hren B ezi e hunge n zu m u den thu m u n d zur j ü di s c hen
Li tera tu r B re sl au, , 190 2 .

2
Lea , H i s toi re de l I n qu i s i ti on , p e rm e t d e s ui vr e la ma r e h e
’

r é al i s é e d a ns l o rg a n i s a t i o n d e s t ri b un au x ; J o urd a i n P hi loso hi e
’

p ,
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LES PH ILOS OPH ES 65

L o bligat i o n im p osé e a ux Jésuit e s par Ign a ce d e Loyol a

’

d e nse igne r l e thomism e ac h e v a d e lui donn e r une a utorit é

’

ré
p p ondé r a nt e d a ns tout l e mond e c a tholiqu e E n f a it .
,

d es que v e rs la fin du XII I s 1e c le 0 11 c e ss a d e pe ns e r a ussi

,
°
,

libre m e nt qu on l a vait fa it pe nd ant les qu atre —vingts ’ ’

p r e mi e r e s a nné e s du si ec l e c es t S T hom a s bi e n p lus ,

’
.
,

q u Ar i
’
s t o t e qui d e vint l e m a itr
, e dont 0 11 r e p rodu i sit e t
comm e nt a le s do c trin es .
‘

II

Da ns tr a vail ph iloso phique d un e int e nsit é c onsidér abl e ’

ce ,

quell e fut la part d e Roge r B ac on Il faut dire b ri éve me nt

d ab ord c e q ue fi re nt c e ux dont le ne m mérit e surtout
’

d etre r a ppe lé dans c e s 1e e l e ri c h e e n pe ns e urs d e tout e

’

e s p ec e Un de s pr e mi e rs Guill a u me d Auve rgne utilis e ’

2
.
,

le s ouvr a g e s d e s B yz antins e t d e s Gr e c s d e s Ar a b e s e t d e s ,

Juifs Pro fondém e nt orthodox e philoso phe e t ami d e la

.
,

s c i e n ce souc i e ux d us e r pl e in e m e nt d e s a r aison il ne fait

,
’

a ppe l ä l a ut o ri t é que S i e ll e e s t e n a c c ord a ve c c e que lui

’

a ppr e nn e nt l a r a ison l e x p éri e nc e ou l i nt ui t i o n S a théori e

’ ’
.
,

d e la vision divin e e s t d un e im p ort a n ce c a p it a l e p our la

’

s c i e nc e e t pour l a philoso phi e puis qu il e n c he r c he l a sourc e ,

’

e n Di e u dont l es révél ations s e p roduis e nt in c e ss a mm e nt .

de S . Thoma s d A qu i n mo n r e l e s p r og r é s d u h o mi sm e
’

, t t , v ol . ii ,

ch . t
ii i , i v , Ca n o n i sa i o n d e S T h o m a s L a s e n e n c e d e .
,
t 1276 e st

ra pp o r tée th o mi sm e a u Co n c i l d e Tre n t e D a ns l a
ch . iv ,
v , vi, Le e ,

Co m p a gn i e d e J é s us L e t h o m i s m e a u XVI I s i é c l e Co ns t i t ut i o n s
,
°
.

d o nn é e s p ar S I gn a c e a l a C d e J é su s P i v c h x i v 2
l5
. I n t h e o l o gi a , . . . .

l e g e t ur V e t us e t N o v u m T e s ta m e n t um e t d o c t ri n a s c h o la st i c a
D Th o m a e
. .

C
’
es t la un fa i t d i mp o r t a n c e
’
c a p i a le t s ur l e que l o n n e s a u ra i t
t ro p i n si s te r . L un i o n t
th éo lo gi e la ph i lo so phi e e t
’
i n ime e n re t la ,

la s c i e n c e r é al i s é e p a r S Th o m a s p o ur l e s c a th o li q u e s e xp li q u e bi e n
, .
, ,

mi e u x q ue l i n flu e n c e d Ari st o t e l o pp o si t i o n f a i t e a ux sa v a n t s p a r
’ ’ ’

un c e rt a in n o mb re d e c a th o li q u e s p e n d a n t l e XV II si é cle No u s °
.

n ous p r o p oso n s d e r e v e n i r s ur c s uj e t p a r l a s u i t e e .

S ur G uillau me d Auv e rgn e v o i l e s o uv ra ge s c i t és n o t e 1 p 5 9

2 ’
r , , . .

1 689 F
66 R OG E R BA CON

En sout e n ant l uni t é d e Di e u il c omb a t le s doctrine s ä

’
,

t e nd an c e m ani c h éis t e ; e n insist a nt sur la p erso nn al ité d e

l äme qu il f ond e sur l a do c trin e p l ot i ni e nn e d e son i n
’ ’

divi s ibilité e t d e sa p ar e nté av e c l a n a tur e divine il ét ablit ,

son im m ort a lité e t détruit ä l av anc e l a thes e d e s Ave rr mst es ’

l atins C e st un préc urs e ur d e Rog e r B ac on c omm e d Alb e rt

.
’ ’

l e G r a nd e t d e S Thom a s . .

Al e x andr e d e H al es son c ont e m por ain ac h eve d e con , ,

s t i t u er l a méthod e éb au c hé e p ar Ab el a rd qui s er a d un ‘ ’

us ag e c onst ant d ans le s é c ol e s e t c h e z le s maitre s jus qu au ’

Dans la S omme de théol ogi e il l e mpl oi e ’

XV II s 1e cl e
e
.
, ,

il distingue n e tt e m e nt a l a fa c on augustini e nn e e t ploti ,

mi e nn e le mond e s e nsibl e e t le mond e i nt e lligibl e

,
Bo n .

nombr e d e s do c trin e s nouve ll e m e nt a rrivé e s e n O c c id e nt

y pr e nn e nt pl ac e Pour J e a n d e l a Ro c h e ll e son su cc e ss e ur
.
, ,

c e ux qui v e ul e nt a né ant i r l ét ud e d e l a p hil oso phi e sont d es

’

s up p ö ts d e S a t a n I l S a tt ac h e ä l é t ud e a ppro fondi e d e
’ ’
.

l äme hum a in e e t fa it d e s e m prunts ä Arist o t e a u x méd e c ins

’

ar ab e s e t a G ali e n m ais surtout par S Augustin e t le s , ,

.

c omm e nt a t e urs gr e c s ä Plotin e t a se s dis c i l e s

2

p ,
.

On n e p e ut sé par e r l oe uv r e d e s trois domini ca ins V in c e nt

’

d e Be au v ais Alb e rt le Gr a nd e t S Thom as

, D a ns l e Gr a nd . .

M i roi r S peculum M d jus l e pr e mi e r c orrig e Ab el ard qui

, ,

m e tt a it sur le méme pl an l e s autorités s ac ré e s e t le s a utorités

pro fan e s Au d e ssus d e tout il pl ac e 1 Ec ri t ure An c i e n e t
’
-
.
, ,

Nouve a u Te st am e nt P uis e n pr e mi er e lign e s upremum

.
,

l ocum l es d ée r ét al es d e s souv e r a ins p onti fe s les e an o ns d es

, ,

Fra n coi s P i ca v e t A bel ar d A lexa n dre d e H a les de l a

’

, et , cre a te urs

métho de sc ola s ti que , P a ri s L e r o u

,
x , 1 8 96 ; E squ i s s e , ch . v ii i , pp . 18
2
Su r J ea n d e l a R och e ll e , cf . H a ur éau , ii . 1, ch . x; L ugu e t ,

j oa n n i s Rupe ll a S u mma de
ma P a ri s
’
a E s s a i d a n a ly se e t de ani ,

c r i ti u e s u r l e tex te i n édi t d u tr a i te de l d me de de l a Rochelle

’ ’

q ,

P a ri s 1 8 7 5
, L a S umma d e A n i ma di F r a te Gi ovann i d e lla Rochel le
pubbl i ca ta per l a pri ma volta e t corre da ta d i a lcun i s tu d i de l P Te ofllo .

D omen i che lli M i n Oss sotto l a di rezi one del P M a rce lli no d a Ci vezza
, . . .

P ra to , 1882 .
68 R OG E R B A CON

gue r n ett e m ent l un e t l autr e d e s aut e urs gre c s a rab es ’ ’

ou jui fs que co nnai t a lors I Oc c id e nt c hréti e n S il dit ’

.
’

p a r fo i s q ue c o n n ai t re Aris to t e c e st c o nn ai tr e l a n a ture ,
’

c e st qu il j oint ä Ar is t o t e tous c e s p e ns e urs surtout les

’ ’
,

Pl o t i n i e ns pa r l e squ e ls il le c o mplé t e Il e s t si p e u le sing e .

d Aris t o t e c omm e l a ppe lé re nt d e s a dve rs air e s de l a philo

’ ’

so phi e e t d e la théologie du x 111 5 1e c l e qu il le c omb a t e t °

,
’

q u e d a ns c e s
,
m a t i é re s sur l e squ e ll e s n e p e ut p ort e r l e

syllogism e l e xpérie nc e s e ul e lui donn e la c e rtitude E nfi n

,
’
.

il fa it une pl ac e c onsidérabl e au Ps e udo De nys l Aréo pagi te -

’

aux do c trin e s mystiqu e s qui lui vi e nn e nt e n c or e p a r S Au .

gustin e t bi e n d autre s sourc e s plo t inie nne s d e sort e qu on ’

,
’

a p n l e c onsidér e r c omm e l un d e s m a it r e s d es All e m a nds

’

Ec kh art Ta ul e r Suso e t l a ut e ur d e la D eutsche Theol ogi e

’

, ,

éditée d e ux fois pa r Luthe r Au té m oign age d e son ad ve r .

s a ir e Rog e r B ac on le succ es d Albe rt fut imm e ns e : On ,

’

l invo q ue dit il d ans le s éc ol e s c omm e Ar isto t e Av ic e nne e t

’
-
, , ,

Ave rro es e t il a e u d e son viva nt une autorité que le

, , ,

Christ n a pas e ue pe nd a nt qu il viv a it

’ ’ ’
.

Pour d es c aus e s dive rs e s et multi pl e s c e st c e pe nd ant ,

’

son dis c i pl e S Thom as qui l e mporte aupré s d e l e urs c o m .

’

V o ir H a ur é a u i i , . 1 , ch . x i , xi i , xi i i H e r tl i ng , A lb e r t us Mag nus ,
’

F e s ts c hr if t Cö l n , , 1880 R de. Li e c h t y , A l ber t le Gr a n d et 5 . T homa s

d A qui n o u l a s c i e nc e d u moye n age , P a r i s , 1 8 8 0 M G lo ss n e r D a s
'

.
,

j
o b e c ti ve P ri nc i
p de r a r i s t s chol P hi los , bes on ders A lbe rt des Gr .
, . .

Le hre vom o b j . Urspr ung der i n tellectue l le n E r ken n tni s s e , R e ge n sb .

,

1880 ; V a n V e d d i n g e n , A lbe rt le G ra n d ,
le ma i tre d e S . T homa s
d A qu i n d aprés l es pl u s r éc en ts tra va ux cr i ti qu es B r u
’ ’

,
xe lle s , 188 1

G E nd ris s A l be rtus M a gnus a ls I n terpre t der a r i s tot

.
, M e ta phys i k
.
,

M ü nc h e n M a nd o n n e t 1 8 86
Le s i d ée s ; R P
‘
c o s mo g ra hi ue s
, . .
,
p q
d Alb e rt l e G ra n d e t d e S T h o ma s d A ui n e t l a d é c o uv e r t e d e
’
’

q .

l A mé r i q ue Re vue thomi s te 1 8 9 3 R P P i e rre G i ra rd

' ’

, L a Co s mo , . .
,

g ra p hi c d Alb e r t l e G r d a p res l o b se rv a t io n e t l e x p é r i e n c e d u m o y e n
’ ’ ’ ’
.

äg e Re vue thomi s te No t e p o ur l é t ud e d e la ps yc h o
’
N o ble
’
, , 190 4 ,

p hy s i o l o g i e d A l b e rt l e G r a nd S Th o ma s Re vue tho mi s te 1 9 0 5
’ ’
et de .
, ,

A . Ma n s io n ,
’
L i n d uc ti o n chez A lb e r t G ra n d Re vue neo
le ,
’

s col as ti qu e , 6 R P M a nd o n ne t A lb e r t l e G r a nd
’
19 0 . .
, d a ns l e ,

D i cti onn a i re d e theolog i e d e l '

a bb é V a c an t .
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LES PH ILOS OPH ES 69

muns suc ce ss e urs C e st que S Thom as o p ér a plus s üre

.
’
.
,

m e nt qu auc un d e se s c ont e m porains l e dé part e ntr e c e

’

q pu i ouv a it etr e a d a pt é au c atholi c ism e e t ce qui y ré p ugn a it

d ans c e qui ve n ait d arrive r ä I Occ id e nt l atin Pour Aristo t e

’ ’
.
,

e n p arti c uli e r il a j oint ä se s oe uvr e s c apit al e s de s e om

,

me nt aire s qui e n donn e nt une bonn e int e r prét ation littér al e ,

pour l a qu e ll e il c ons ult e dive rs e s ve r sions gré c o l a tine s ou

-
,

a r a bico l atine s
-
q ue lque s un e s fait e s ä son int e ntion p eut
,
-
,

é tre m em e ve rs la fin d e sa vie le s m anus c rits gr e c s e t touj ours ,

le s c omm e nt a t e urs q ui ont tr a v a illé ä l e c l a irc i r A c e tt e .

int e r prét ation littéral e il a jout e une int er pr ét ation ploti

n i e nn e e t c hréti e nn e par l a q u e ll e il a ttribu e ä Ar is t ot e l e s

doc trine s a uxquell e s le s Chréti e ns t e n ai e nt l e plus e t qu on ’

r e nc ontr e le moins c he z l Arist ot e a uth e ntiqu e l a Création

’

, ,

la Provid e n c e l i mmo rt ali t é d e l äme

’
Ave o c e qu o nt
’ ’
.
,

transmis au XII I 3 1e c l e les Latins e t le s Gr ec s le s Ar ab e s

°
,

e t l es Jui fs a v e c c e qu o n t r a ss e mblé V in c e nt d e B e a uv ais

’

, ,

Alb ert le G r a nd e t l e urs cont e m p orains a ve c le s e c ours ,

d e nombr e ux coll abor a t e urs qui sont touj ours ä s a dis p osi
tion S Thom as c onst r uit d un point d e v ue orthodoxe
, .
,
’

e t a ve c un e h a bil e té s i ngul ié re l a synth es e philoso phiqu e ,

qui s ac c ord e ave c les dogm es e t c om pr e nd le s élém e nts

’

s c i e nt i fi que s et p hiloso phiqu e s dont dis pos e nt a lors l e s

Oc cid e nt a ux Ce syst em e dont la v al e ur p e rsist e r a t a nt
.
,

q ue le s r e c h e r c h e s e x p érim e nt al e s n auro nt pas fourni l a

’

m ati er e d u ne synth es e nouvell e S Thom as le fait e ntr e r

’

, .

tout e nti e r d ans l a théologie qui fourni ra ainsi au Conc il e ,

d e Tr e nt e d e s ré p ons e s j ugé e s alors e t a uj ourd hui e n c or e

’

, ,

s atis fais ant e s par l e s c a tholique s aux qu e stions e t aux

, ,

obj e c tions d e s Ré fo rm at e urs Po ur l hist o ire e t l e xégé se .

’ ’

S Thom as ac c om plit une oeuvr e an alogu e la Catena a urea

.

r e li e le s qu at re Ev angil e s c o mm e s ils ét ai e nt le tr a va il d un ’ ’

s e ul do c t e ur l es c omm e nt ai re s sur c h ac un d es livre s s aints ,

mé me s ur l e Ps a uti e r le D é c alogu e le Symbol e I Ora iso n

, , ,
’

d omini cal e montr e nt q u ils c onti e nn e nt e n g e rm e tout c e

’

,
70 R OG E R B A CON

qui s e trouve d ans la S omme e t par suit e tout e la philoso phi e

thomist e Ainsi une dir e c tion e s t donnée ä l Eglis e c ath o
.
’

liqu e e ll e l ac c e pte offic i e lle me nt e n théologie e t e n e x eg es e

’

, ,

a u Con c il e d e T r e nt e e ll e la r e pr e nd e n p hiloso phi e a ve c , ,

L éon X I I I e n ,

A S B on ave nture 0 11 doit une do c trine mystiqu e e t

.

orthodoxe qui déve lo ppe tout c e qui vi e nt d e Plotin e t

d e S Augustin du Ps e udo De nys e t d e s V i c t o rins d e
.
,
-
,

S B ernard de s B yz antins d e s Ar ab e s e t d e s Jui fs l I ti né

.
, ,
’

r ai re de l dme vers D i eu e n est l a p arti e e ss e nti e ll e

’ 2

D e nombr e ux s a v a nts tr a v aill e nt a u XII I s 1e e l e ä S as

’
5

simil e r l es donnée s p ositive s qui l e ur sont o ffe rt e s Il y e n .

e ut e n Angle t e rr e a utour d e Rob e rt d e Lin c oln e n Fr a n c e ,

a utour d e Pi e rr e d e Ma ri c ourt l e m aitr e d es e x p éri e nc e s ,

.

Il y e ut e n I t ali e une é c ol e d al ohi mis t e s étud 1e s par

’

B e rth e lot qui f ont l es e x p éri e n c e s indiqué e s p ar l es a nci e ns

,

e t e n im agin e nt d e nouv e ll e s qui r e mont e nt d e s p r a tiqu e s ,

a ux do c trin e s e t p rovoqu e nt les p r o gré s d e l a t e c hniqu e q ue

r é vé le nt a lors le s a rts d e tout e e s p ece D es physici e ns .

constitu e nt le s uns un grou pe ä Ox ford l es a utr e s un

, , , ,

gro u pe ä P aris Ce rt a ins méd e c ins font appe l ä l e x péri e ne e

.
’

e t a l al c hi mi e p our p rol ong e r l a v i e hu m a in e e t r e t a rd e r les

’

a c c id e nts d e l a vi e i ll e ss e Il y a d es o p ti c i e ns m a itr e
'

.
,

Pie rr e Vi t e llion moins g éo mé tre e t moins physiolog ist e

, ,

q u e Rog e r B ac on c omm e nté p a r K e p l e r

, a u début du X V I I °

S i ec l e ; il y a d e s m athém atici e ns c élébre s S a crobosco ,

dont le Tra i te de la S phäre s e r a si souve nt c omm e nté

'

Léon a rd d e Pis e qu on dir a le p lus gr a nd m athém ati c i e n

’

du moye n age m aitre Pi e rr e e t J e a n d e Londre s m aitre

, ,

Cam pa nus d e Nova r e e t m aitr e Ni c ol as m e ntionnés p ar ,

Rog e r Bac on Pre squ e tous c e s s av ants c ons e rver ont

.

S u S Th o m as v o i r J o u d a i n o p c i t
r .
, S e rt ill a n g s L a p hi lo
r , . . e ,

so phi d S Thoma s P a i s Alc a n

e e . S u l a re t a ura t i o n t h o mi s t e
, r , . r s ,

E qu is eh i x
ss e , E s i h xi i i
. B i b l i o g a p hi d a n s U b e rwe g ii
s a s, c . r e e , .

Ope r a o mn i a e di ta s tu d i o e t c ura P . P . coll eg i i a S . B on a ve ntura ,

ad Cl a ra s A q uas p ro p e Flo r e nt i a m , ä p a r i r d e t 18 8 2 .
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LES PH ILOS OPH ES 7 1

bie n do c trin e s mét aphysiqu e s e t e s quiss ére nt d es c on

des
c e p t io ns r e l ative s a l a p hiloso p hi e d e s s c i e n c e s qu on t e ’

r e ndr a surtout au X V I I 5 1e c l e Pour l a mé me r a ison °

p .
,

il c onvi e nt d e r a pp e l e r Ca r p ini Rub ruquis e t Marco Pol o ,

-

qui augme nt ére nt le s c onn aiss anc e s que l e urs c ont e m p o

r ains a vai e nt d e l a t e rr e e t pr éparére nt a ve c d e nouve ll e s ,

déc ouve rt e s un a gr andiss e m e nt d e la s c i e nc e sous plusi e urs

,

d e ses f orm e s .

La d e rni er e p ériod e m a rqu e une dé c roiss a nc e d ans l a

s p é c ul ation théologiqu e e t ph iloso phiqu e H e nri de G a nd .
,

a dve rs a ir e d e S B on a ve ntur e e t d e S Thom as r a ppe ll e

. .
,

surtout S Augustin par fois le s Ar ab e s e t Guill aum e d Au

.
,
’

ve rgne a vec l a théorie d e l illuminat io n s p éc i al e c om me

,
’

il annonc e Duns S c ot e t Guill aum e d Occ am par c e ll e de la ’

volont é su p éri e ur e ä l i nte llige nce Duns S c ot s inspire ’

.
’

d e tous l e s fr a n c is c a ins s e s p rédéce ss e urs y c om pris Ro ge r ,

Bac on a tt a qu e l a p lu pa rt d e s e s c ont e m p or a ins procl a m e

, ,

e n D i e u la prédomin a n c e d e l a volonté Ave o l e Plo t i ni e n .

I b n Ge b i ro l— ego aute m ad p os i ti on e m A vi cembroli s redeo

S c ot souti e nt que tout e subst a n c e c réé e c or p or e ll e ou ,

s piritu e ll e parti c i pe d e la m atiere e t que c e tt e m a tier e est

,

une e n tous Sa doctrin e d un e subtilité s i ngul ié re s e r a

’
.
, ,

souve nt o pposée au thomism e Av e o R a ymond Lull e .

a pparai t l e Gra nd A rt la méthod e logiqu e qui combin e ,

d e s idée s génér a l e s pour e n fa ir e sortir d e s solutions mét a

physiqu e s ou théologiqu e s Mais c e st a ussi un mystique
’
.

c uri e ux dont le s do c trin e s m al c onnu e s e n c or e

,
m él ént le , ,

p l o t i n i s m e e t l e c hristi a nism e .
‘

t
B e r h e lo t , Les or i g i n e s de l
’
a lc hi mi e ; S ci en ce et P hi los ophi e
Colle cti on des a n ci en s a l chi mi s tes g r e cs
’
I n tro d ucti on l e tude de
’

l a chi mi e d es a n ci e n s e t d u moy en age H i s toi r e d e s s ci ences L a chi mi e ,

au moye n
dge , 3 v o l s F r a n co i s P i c a v e t , L a s ci en ce
. ex péri men ta le
au xi i i s i ecle e n Occi de nt, Mo y e n A ge , n ov e m b re 1 8 9 1
°
et E s qui sse ,
ch . v i ii , pp . 2 0 2 —9 .

P rant l Ges c h der L og i i i

,
H a ur é a u H i s toi r e d e la scolas ti que ,
. .
‚ ,

11. 2 P l uz an s ki E s s a i s ur l a phi losophi e de D uns S eat, P ari s 1 8 8 7

, ,
72 R OG E R BA CON

I II

Rog e r Bac on a e x posé d une fa c on fort a m pl e sinon ,

’

touj ours fort préc is e c e qui mérit a it d etr e po u rsuivi e t

’

réalisé non s e ul e m e nt par lui e t se s c ont e m pora ins m ai s ,

a ussi p a r l e urs su c c e ss e urs sous l a dir e c tion d e l a p a p a ,

ut é ,

a v e c l a id ’
e d e s gr a nds d e s p rin c e s e t d e s rois
,
I l f a ut .
,

dit il d ans l opus M ajus fair e l étude p ar fait e d e l a s age ss e

-
’

,
’

a rriv e r a v a nt tout a l a p oss e ssion d e l a vérité p uis s e s e rvir ,

d e l a vérité trouvée p our l e gouv e rn e m e nt d e tout e s c hos e s .

Ave o e ll e e t par e ll e on doit ordonn e r l Egl ise d e D i e u

’

, ,

org anis e r la ré publique d e s fi déles tr a v aille r a l a c onve rsion ,

d e s i nfi déles e t r e p ouss e r du mond e c hréti e n mi e ux que ,

p a r l e ff
’
u s i o n du s a ng c e u x qui r e fus e nt d e s e conv e rtir
,
.

Comm e un mod e rn e Rog e r B ac on fa it d e l a r ec h e r c h e ,

d e la vérité le but su pr em e e t ultim e c omm e un c hréti e n

du X I II S i ec l e il e nt e nd qu e ll e s e rve ä gouve rn e r ä ét e ndre

€
,
’

e t a prot ég e r l a Cit é f ondé e sur l e s pr in c i p e s év a ngéliqu e s

‘
.

Mais l ac quis i t i o n d e l a vérité e st diffi c ile e t notr e i n t e lli

’

g e nc e e s t faibl e Il im port e d o ne d éc arte r les c aus e s e t

.
’

l es o c c a sions d e rre ur su r tout le s qu a tr e obst ac l e s qui s e

’

dre ss e nt d e vant tous l autori t é s ans f or ce e t s ans dignité ,

’

l a longu e ur e t l a p uiss a nc e d e l h a b i t ud e l e s pr e1ug és du

’

vulgair e la t e nd anc e ä c ac h e r son ignor an c e sous une

,

s ag e ss e appar e nt e — d aut ant plus que d e l ign oranc e ou ’

,
’

R e i nh ol d Se eb e rg D i e Theologi e des , D un s S co tus L e i p zi g, , 1 90 0

M d e W ul f H i s toi re de l a phi losophi e s cola s ti qu e da n s les P ay s B a s

.
,
-

e t l a pr i n c ipa uté de L i ege C e s t G ua r d i a d a n s l a Re vue phi l os ophi que

’
.
, ,

q ui a s ur t o ut a p p e l é l a tt e nt i o n s ur l e my s t i q u e d o n t n o us n e c o n
’

n ai sso n s l oeu vr e q u i m p a rfa i t e me nt P r o b s t a s o u t e nu e n 1 9 1 3

’ ’
.

a G re no b l e un e t h ese s ur R a y mo n d L ull e .

C e s t l e p o i n t d e v u e a u q u e l s e p l a c e R o g e r B a c o n n o n s e ul e m e n t
’

da n s l e s t roi s o uv ra g e s e nv o y é s ä Cl é me n t IV m a i s e n c o r e d a n s ,

l e f r a gm e n t p ub l i é p a r G a squ e t H i s tori c a l Re vi e w x ii 1 8 9 7 d a n s l e , , , ,

C o mpen di um d e p h ilo so p h i e p ub li é p a r B r e w e r e t d a n s l e C o mpe n

d i u m d e t h eo l o g i e é d i t é p a r Ra sh d all d a n s l a B ri ti s h S o ci e ty o
f
F r a nci scan S tu d i es , v ol . iii .
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LE S PH ILOS O PH E S 73

de l
’
déc oul e la c orru ption d e s m oe urs Comm e il
e rre ur , .
‘

n y a q u un Di e u il n y a qu une s age ss e p ar fa it e E ll e
’ ’ ’ ’
.
,

e s t c ont e nu e d ans l e s Ec ri t ure s Mais p our l e n tire r p our

’
.
,

c onstitu e r l a théologi e sous f orm e d e s a g e ss e c o m pl é t e il ,

fa ut r e c ourir au droit c anon e t a l a philoso phi e d a ns l a qu e ll e ,

sont c om pris e s tout e s le s s c i e nc e s P ar l h is t o ir e par de s .

’

fa its p ar d es r a isonn e m e nts e t par d e s t e xt e s Rog e r Bac on

, ,

ét ablit que la théologi e e t l a philoso phi e sont le s de ux

a s p ec ts d e l a su p r em e vérit é qu e si l es p a tri a r c h e s e t l e s , ,

r
p p o h é t e s e n ont e u l a révél a tion d a ns son int égr a lité l e s ,

p hiloso p h e s l e s p o e,
t e s l e s sibyl l e s e t ,
tous c e ux qui s e sont

a donnés a l a s a g e ss e e n ont e u u ne révél a tion s uffis ant e ;

e ll e l a été c e rt a in e m e nt p our Ar ist o t e e t p our Av i ce nn e

’ 2
.

Or pour c o nna i t re Di e u le mond e e t l homm e Rog e r

’
.

, ,

Ba con e stim e qu e c inq c hos e s sont né c e ss a ir e s e t s uffi s ant es .

D ab ord il fa ut p our l a p ra tiqu e c omm e p our l a s p é c ul a tion

’

, ,

étudi e r le s l angu e s étrang ére s par l e sque ll e s la s age ss e e st

ve nu e e n parti e aux Latins e t p ar l e squ ell e s e ll e p e ut l e ur
a r r iv e r c om p l et e En s e c ond li e u il fa ut r e c ourir a ux
.
,

m athém atiqu e s fond e m e nt d e tout e s le s s c i e nc e s d ab o rd

, ,
’

ä ee qu on pe ut a p pe l e r l a mét a physiqu e d e s m athém a tiqu e s

’

uis u x qu tr s i n s s é ul tiv s géométri e arit h m é

p a a e c e c e p c a e , ,

tique a stronomi e musique ou ac oustiqu e e t aux qu atre

, , ,

s c ie n c e s p r atique s qui l e ur c orr e s p onde nt c e st ä dir e e n ,

’
- -

somm e ä n e u f s c i e nc e s tot al e m e nt ignoré e s d e s Latins .

E nsuit e Rog e r B a c on fait int e rve nir l o p t i que qui su pp os e

’

l a multi pli c a tion d e s e s pé e e s i d e nt i fiée par c e rt ains mod e rn e s ,

a ve c notr e pro pag ation ac tu e ll e d e l a for c e l a s c i e n c e ,

e x p érim e nt a l e qui e m ploi e a ve c l e xp éri e nc e h um ai ne ’

, ,

P o ur c e s c a use s de l
’
e rr e u r , il n e s e rai t p a s sa n s i nt é r é t d e co m
p a re r R o g e r B a c o n e t F r a n co i s B a c o n .

To ut e c e tt e t h é o ri e d e Ro g e r B a c o n — q u t t
’
2
on re ro u v e p e n d a n

t o ut t
l e m o y e n ag e , e t q u i p e rm e a ux c h r é i e n s d ut i li se r d a ut r e s t ’ ’

l i v r e s q u e l e s Ec r i t ure s — a p o ur p o i n d e d é p a r l Ev a n g il e d e t t ’

S . J
e a n o u i l e st d i t q u e l e . V
e rb e e st l a l u mi ere q ui é c l ai r e ou t t
h o mm e v e n an t en ce mo n d e .
74 R OG E R B A CON

et p hiloso p hiqu e l e Xp é r i e nc e p a r illumin ation intéri e ur e

,
’

c e st ä dir e une révél a tion p e rm a n e nt e e t individu e ll e Et

’
- - .

il t e rmin e p ar l a mor a l e l a plus nobl e d e s parti e s d e l a philo

,

sophi e qu il ne distingu e guere d ailleurs d e la mét a physiqu e

,
’ ’

e t d e l a théologi e Car l a théologi e e x p os e e n f ais ant

.
,

a p p e l a l a fo i a u Ch r ist c e que l a mor a l e e t l a mét a physiqu e

,

ti re nt d e s autre s s c ie nc e s e t d une révél ation s p éc i al e ’

.
‘

D a ns l 0 pus M i nus e t d ans l 0 pus Terti um Rog e r B ac on

’ ’

ac h é ve d i nd i q ue r a u P a pe l a dir e c tion que l E glis e d e vr a it

’ ’

suivr e Dans le premi e r Rog e r Bacon sign a le le s parti e s

.
,

d e l opus M ajus qui lui pa r a iss e nt le s m e ill e ur e s e t il pa ss e

’

e n r e vu e c e qu il a p p e ll e le s s e p t p é c hés d e l a théologi e
’
.

D ab o rd e ll e e st dominée dit i l par l a philoso phi e d ans

’
-
, ,

l e s é c ol e s et c h e z les m a itr e s dont il f a it une si viv e c ritiqu e .

Puis e ll e n ut ilis e p as le s s c i e nc e s le s m e ill e ur e s e t c e ll e s qui

’

lui s e ra i e nt les plus pré c i e us e s le s l a ngu e s étrangé re s au ,

l atin dont e ll e de vr a it sortir tout e nt 1e r e la m athém atique ‘

la s c i e n ce e x p érim e nt a l e e t mor a l e d éjä in

’
e t l o p t i que , ,

d i qu ée s d a ns l Opus M a us l a lc h i mi e qu il m e t sur l e m em e
’ ’

f
’

p l a n e ll e se born e ä e m p loy e r d e s s c i e n c e s vil e s l a gr a m ,

m air e d e s Latins une logique inc om pl et e la parti e la moins

, ,

val abl e d e la philoso phi e n atur e ll e e t une parti e s e ul e m e nt

d e l a mét aphysiqu e B i e n plus c e s sci e n c e s d un e va l e ur in
’
.
,

f éri e ure le s théologi e ns l e s ignor e nt ac c e pt a nt u ne i nfi ni t é

, ,

d e c hos e s fauss e s p r e n a nt p our ce rt a in c e qui e st dout e ux

, ,

p our c l a ir c e qui est obscur r e c h e r c h a nt l e s upe rfiu e t ,

om e tt ant le néc e ss aire c omm e on pe ut le voir par l e xe mpl e ,

’

d e s m aitr e s le s plus c él ebr e s Al e x a ndr e d e H a l es qui e s t ,

mort e t Albe rt le Gr and dont l i nflue nc e e s t e n c or e si c o n

,
’

s i dér ab l e e t si
p e rni c i e us e En c in qu1e me li e u l es t h é o .
,

l o gi e ns préfé re nt l e Li vre des S enten ces ä l Anc i e n e t a u ’

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.
,

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u
,

s e t és i nfi n ie s d e s dout e s intolér a bl e s qui e m p é c h e nt d a t

’
,

V oi p l us lo i n la théo i e d e la d o ub l e xp é i e n c e
r r e r .
76 R OG ER BA CON

a un e gr and e im port a n c e c omm e fin e t c omm e r égle d e

tout e c onn aiss an c e Pour l a v anoe m ent d e la philoso phi e
.
’

un s e ul hom m e n e pe ut s uffi re il y faut l a id e d es princ e s ’

e t d e s prél a ts il faut de l a rg e nt p our le s livre s p our l es

’

, ,

inst r um e nts p our l es t abl e s m athém atique s e t astro no

,

m i que s p our l ét ud e d e s l angu e s p our l a r e c h e rch e e t

’

, ,

l a c h at d e s livre s p our l es e x p éri e n c e s e t pour l a form ation

’

d e c oll abor a t e urs d e tout e e s p ec e En a n alys ant I Opus

’
.

M ajus Rog e r Bac on r a ppell e q ue l a s age ss e vérit abl e

, ,

u niqu e e t p a r fa it e e s t d ans l es Ec ri t ur e s q ue tout e p hilo

, ,

so phi e vi e nt d e Di e u par son a c tion sur l int e lle c t d e ’

l homm e que tout e l a s ag e ss e a été donné e d ab ord p ar

’

,
’

Di e u aux p atri ar c h e s e t aux pro phét e s ; que le s philo

so ph e s e t le s s ag e s e ur e nt d e s illumin ations s p éc i al e s p ar
l e squ e ll e s ils fur e nt instruits sur Di e u e t le s alut d e l äme ’

p e ut etr e plus p our l e s e h r ét i e n s que p our e ux m ém e s m a is

- -
,

l a p hiloso hi e e s t v a in e S i e ll e n e st j oint s g ss
’

q u e
p p as e a l a a e e

d e Di e u e t n e lui obéit p as A pro pos d e l ét ud e d e s l ang ue s ’

.
,

Rog e r Bac on e x p os e l a p uiss anc e mir ac ul e us e d e l a p arol e ,

surtout si l i nflue nc e d es a str e s y e st j oint e l i mpo sit i on

’

,
’

d e s mots e t l e ur p ui ss an c e s ig ni fic at i ve l e s sign e s art ific i els ,

e t l e s sign e s n atur e ls La logiqu e e st c onnu e s a ns a ppre n

.

tiss ag e e t tous l es homm e s r a isonn e nt n atur e ll e m e nt De s .

m athém atiqu es l a plus nobl e e st l as tr ono mi e s p éc ul ative

,
’

e t p r atiqu e qui fait c o nnai tre l e s c hos e s e éle st e s dont

,

dép e nd e nt to us le s c h ang e m e nts t e rr e str e s C e st la g éom é .

’

tri e qui e x pliqu e c es c h ang e m e nts e t qui e x pliqu e a ussi la

multi pli c ation d e s e sp éc e s e n lign e droit e ou par d e s r a yons
,

ac c id e nt e ls ré fr tion ou r r efle x i o n E t Rog e r B ac on

p a r , a c p a .

donn e ses idée s sur l a m ati ere qui n est p as ég al e ä Di e u ,

’

sur les figur e s d e s c or ps sur l e mond e le t e m p s l e mouve

, , ,

m e nt e t l é t e rnit é sur le vid e m em e sur le s e x pli c ations

’

, ,

p o pul ai r e s d e l a tr a nss ubst a nti ation p ar c e que tout c e l a ,

a ra
pp t a l a qu antité q ue l e g é om é t re c onsid er e
o ’
r L as .

t r o no mi e a pp ar ai t c omm e l e f ond e m e nt a ssuré d e l a c hrono

 SA P LA CE PAR MI LES PH ILOS OPH ES 77

logie aussi donne t e ll e le moye n d e ré form e r le cal e ndrie r - -

.

A pro pos de la musiqu e Rog e r B ac on tr a it e d e l acc e ntua ,

’

tion du ch ant d e l a ps almodi e d e l harmo nie du m etr e

, , ,
’

e t du rythm e d e la prédic a tion e t d e la rhétoriqu e con

, ,

t inua nt a insi ä él a rgir le trivium e t l e qu a drivium d e

l épo que a ntéri e ur e
’ ‘
.

Ce qui c a r ac téris e pe ut etr e l e mi e ux Rog e r B ac on c om m e -

pe ns e ur c e st qu il e s t le r e prés e nt a nt l e p lus c om pl e t d e
’ ’

la s p é c ul a tion au X I I I s i é c le pui s qu i l a p oursuivi la con

’
°
,

n a iss a nc e sous tout e s se s for m e s a lors acce ssibl e s c e st ,

’

qu il pe ut etr e r appro c hé p ar c onséqu e nt d e tous s e s co n

’

t e mpora i ns m a is qu il pe ut l é tre tout a ussi bi e n d e s homm e s

’ ’

d e l a R e n a iss a n c e de la Ré for m e e t d e s t e m ps mod e rn e s , .

S a ns dout e il v e ut qu on s a ppli que ä l étude d e la gra m ’ ’ ’

m air e l atin e m ais il r e c omm ande qu on a p pr e nn e l e gre e ’

l h ébre u l e c h aldé e n l a r a b e e t m em e l a plu pa rt d e s l a ngu e s

’ ’

, ,

u rl nt l e u l e s a v e c l e s qu e lé l e s La tins sont e n r e l a
q e p a e e s p p
tions A la fa c on d e s érudits d e la R e n a iss a nc e qu il sur
.
,
’

p a ss e m e m e p ar l a m p l e u r d e s e s r e c h e rc h e s
’
il c om p os e ,

une gr a mm a ir e gr e c qu e une gr a mm a ir e h éb r a1que p e ut , ,

etr e d e s vo c a bul a ir e s ; il e s t e n qu et e d e m a nus c rits e t il

écrit un l atin bie n plus voisin du l e ur que d e c e lui d e
S Thom as Comm e le s pa rtis ans d e la Ré form e il e nt e nd
. .
,

qu on lis e les Ec ri ture s d ans l original e t qu on t äc he d avo ir

’ ’ ’ ’

un t e xt e c orr e c t En m od e rn e il sign al e les a va nt age s d e.

l ét ud e d e s l a n gu e s étrangé re s p our l e c omm e r c e p our le s

’

r e l ations politique s av e c le s différ e nts p e u pl e s p our la ,

c ons e rva tion ou l e rét a bliss e m e nt d e l a p aix il p r a tiqu e

‘

l e x égés e il a pp a rai t a insi c omm e un d e s f ond a t e ur s d e l a

’

p hi l ologi e c om p a ré e d e l a p h i loso p hi e du l a ng ag e e,
t d e l a

critique s ac ré e .
2

I l f a ut a pp o h e r l s f r g m n t s p ub h s pa r G a s q u t p a r Li tt le
r r c e a e e e ,

p a r D uh e m d e l 0 pus T er ti u m
’
et .

t j
To u c e la a d e a é t é é ab l i e n b o n n e p a r i e p a r Em il e Ch a rl e s t t ,

op c i t .2
°
p a r i.e ,,c h i i ,
E t
ss a i d un e r e n a i ss an c e a u II I ° S i ec l e
.
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X
4
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p a r i e , I Ca rac er e ph i lo sophi q ue
. t a tt rib ué a la grammai re ,
B a c on ,
78 R OG ER B A CON

i gnore p as l a logiqu e démonstr a tiv e d e l 0 rganon

’
’
Il n

qu il ’
c o nn ai t tout e nti e r Mais il c roit que l e r aisonn e m e nt .

e st n ature l ä l homm e q ue l es t e rm e s s e uls p ar l e squ e ls 0 11

’

e u fa it l a théori e sont ä a p pr e ndr e d a ns l es livr e s Surtout .

il m e t l e r aisonn e m e nt a u d e ssous d e l e xp éri e nc e e t v a nt e

’
-

un e f o r m e d e r a isonn e m e nt dont l e g e rm e e s t d ans l a Rhé

l a Poétiqu e d Ari s t o t e e t l e urs c omm e nt at e urs

’
t o ri que ,
,

m ais qui r e ss e mbl e e n p lus d un p oint ä c e que nous nom

’

, ,

mons la logiqu e du vra is e mbl abl e e t aussi ä c e qu e st p our

’

M Ribot l a lo giqu e du s e ntim e nt

. .
‘

Pour l e s m athém atiqu e s il n e st p as in féri e ur ä c e ux qui ,

’

e n f ont u n e étud e s p éc i al e e t il dé p a ss e l e s p h i loso p h e s qui

s e n ti e nn e nt ä l a nt i que qu a drivium Comm e De s c a rt e s

’ ’
. ,

i l l es a p pliqu e a l a physiqu e e t e n tir e l e xpl i c at i o n d e tout e s

’

c hos e s Tout c e q ue s a v e nt l e s a stronom e s e t le s a strologu e s

.

d e son t e m ps il l e s ait Ma is il e x pos e sur l e c a l e ndri e r

,
.
, ,

d e s idé e s qui n e s e ront ré a lisé e s qu e n 1 5 8 2 En e x amin a nt

’
. ,

a l a suit e d es Ar a b e s l a duré e a ttribué e ä div e rs e s f orm e s ,

r e ligi e us e s il e squiss e une histoir e c om parée d es r eligious

,

o ü il n e ti e nt p as c om p t e uniqu e m e nt d e c e ll e s que c om p a r e nt

l es c ont r ov e rsist e s j ui fs c hréti e ns e t mus ul m a ns En g eo , .

g ra ph i c il u tilis e c e qu o nt tr a nsmis l e s Gr e e s l e s Latins

’

, ,

e t l e s Ar a b e s m ais il c onsult e le s réc its d e s voyag e urs du

,

x 111 s i é c l e e t qu and il l e p e ut l e s voy a g e urs e ux m em e s

°
, ,
-
.

Le s p ag e s qu e Pi e rr e d Ai lly a r e produit e s t e xtu e ll e m e nt

’
,

s a ns c it e r d a ille urs Rog e r Ba c on n o ut été s ns fl

’
i
’

p a s a n u ,

un d e s fo nd a t e ur s d e
I V D e 1 e rud i i o n d e R o g e r
la c ri t i q u e s a c ré e . t
B ac on o i r H i rs ch
. V
E a r l y E ng l i sh H e b r a i s s R o g e r B a c o n a n d
, t ,

h i s P re d e c e ss o r s j e wi s h Quar terly Re vi e w O c ob e r 1 8 99 v ol xii ;

,
’

,
t , .

D i e gr i e ch i s c h e G ra m m at ik R o ge r B a co n s By zan
L H e ib e r g ’
.
, ,

ti n i s c he Z e i ts chr if t v o l i x L e i p zi g 190 0 pp 4 7 9 9 ; Ed mond

— 1 , .
, , , .

N o l a n e t H i r s c h T he Gr ee k Gra mmar of Rog e r B a con a n d a F r agment

,

of hi s H e bre w G ra mma r Ca mb r i d e a t t h e U n i v e rs i t
y P re s s 1 9 0 2
-
g , , , .

R o g e r B a c o n i n si s t e
f o rm e d e l a lo gi qu e qui m e rai s ur c e tt e tt t
a u s e c o nd p l a n l a l o i u e d é m o n s ra i v e
g q Ch arl e s p 1 4 0 V o ir t t , , . .

T h R ib o .
t
L a psy cholog i e de s s en ti me n ts
, L a l ogi qu e des s enti men ts ,
P a ri s Al c a n , .
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LES PH I LOS OPH ES 79

o nc e sur la déc ouve rt e d e l Améri que En o ptiqu e Rog e r ’

.
,

Bac on résum e Pt o l ém ée Avi c e nne Alh a z e n m ais il e s t , , ,

su p éri e ur ä Wi t el o que K epl e r c omm e nt e au début du

XV II s 1e e l e Le s s a v a nts utilis e nt l e s d e ux pa rti e s d e l 0 pus
’
e
.

M ajus que Comb ac h publi e e n 1 6 1 4 c omm e les tr a vaux d e

, ,

S c he in e r e t d e Képle r Et l on r appe ll e Roge r Ba c on qu and .

’

De s ca rt e s tr ait e d e l a dio ptriqu e e t d e s moye ns d e prolong e r

l a vi e hum a in e .
‘

Ave o Alb e rt Rog e r Bac on v a nt e l e xp éri e nc e a v e c le s

’

homm e s d e son t e m ps il c roit ä l ac t io n tout e —p uiss ant e d e ,

’

Di e u m ais il n e dout e ni du p ouvoir d e l a n at u r e ni du

, ,

p ouvoir d e l homm e e t il a un e c onfi anc e illimité e d ans

’

l o b se rvat i o n e t d a ns l e xp éri e nc e pour dét e rmin e r e n

’ ’

d e rni e r r e ssort l a v a l e ur d e s c on c e ptions ac tu e ll e s e t d e s

afli rmat i o ns a ntiqu e s Son al c himi e e t c e ll e d e se s c ont e m
.

p o r ai n s r a ss e mbl e nt tout c e qui a ét é trouvé p ar l es Gr e c s

e t l es Ar a b e s m a is c e st e n l e s c ontinu a nt q ue l e X V II e t
’
°
,

le XV III s i éc le fe ront e nfi n n ai t re l a c himi e p ositive

e
Pour .

l a mor al e Rog e r B ac on S i ns p ir e d es mor a list e s l atins e t

,

gre c s not amm e nt d e Séné que il trouv e c h e z e ux le s prin

,

c i pe s mét a physique s e t théologiqu e s du c hr isti anism e ,

méme l a puiss a nc e s p iritu e ll e e t t e m p or e ll e du P a p e vi ca ir e ,

d e Di e u e t Di e u hum a in Il pos e c omm e l idéal su pr em e

’
. _ , ,

l union mystique a ve c Di e u qui produit aut a nt que c e l a

’

, ,

Ch arl e s a i ns i s é t
t o ut e c e tt e p a r t i e d e l oe uv re d e Ro ge r B a co n
s ur
’

q u e n o u s c o n na i t ro n s m i e u x qua n d n o u s a uro n s u n e é d i t i o n c o mp l et e
d e s oe u v re s V o i r a ussi p o ur l a géo gr aphi e c e q u e d i t B rid ge s d an s
.

l e s n o t e s s u r l opus M a jus e n p art i c uli e r i 2 9 0 p o ur la d é c o uv e rt e

’
.
,

d e l A m é i q u e e t a ussi p o ur l o p t i q ue 11 pp 1 e t 2
’
r ,
V o i r a ussi
’

, , . .

E ss ai s c h x , Ce c h a p i t r e sy n th é t i s e t ro i s a r t i c l e s q u i o nt p a m
. .

d an s l e j our n a l d es S a va n ts e n jui ll e t 1 9 0 5 e n s e p t e mb re e t o c t o b r e ,

C e st d ans l e D i s cours de la M éthode 6 p a r t i e q ue D e sc a r t e s

’
19 12 . ,
e
,

e x po s e su l e s m o y e n s d e p r o l o n g e r l a v i e h um a i n e e t d e r e c ul e r
,
r

l e s a c c i d e n t s d e la v i e i ll e sse d e s i d é e s q ui rap p e ll e n t c e lle s d e R o g e r

,

q ui c o n c e m e l h i st oi re d e s r e li gi o u s , n o us av o n s
’
B a c on . En ce

é v e lo p p é l e s id é e s d e Ro g e r B aco n d a ns nos c o n f ére n ce s d e s H a u e s t

%t ud e s .
80 R OG E R B A CON

e st p ossibl e tt e v i e la c h ris t i ficat io n e t l a d e 1fic atio n

en ce ,

d e l i nd i vi du to u t e n e x p os a nt bi e n d e s solutions p r a tiqu e s
’

p our l a v i e ac tu e ll e Pour l é d uc at i o n il c onsid er e comm e

.
’

indis pe ns abl e la m éthod e d e s é c ol e s c on fére n ce s e nt e ndu e s ,

e t pronon c é e s dis c ussions a uxqu e lle s 0 11 pre nd p art ou

,

qu on dirig e m ais il j ug e s évére me nt l a plu part d es procédés

’

dont us e nt l es m a itre s e t p our sa part l e s tr ans form e , ,

c om pl et e m e nt
‘
.

P a r l e ns e mb le d e s a dir e c tion sc ie nt i fi que p ar le soin

’

qu il pr e nd de pro c l am e r l a c onne xité d e tout e s le s sci e nc e s

’

p a rti e s d un tout ’
qui a cc om pliss e nt l e ur oe uvr e p ro pr e e n

s a i d ant c e p e nd ant l e s un e s l e s a utr e s par l a pl ac e qu il

’ ’

f ait a la s c i e n c e p r a tiqu e ou ä l i nd ust ri e Rog e r B a con e s t

’

d e ve nu pour Haur éau e t R e n an Littré e t Bridge s un , ,

d Aug us t e Comt e un préc urs e ur du mod e rn e

’
a n c é tre ,

ositivism M is il s st borné r h r h x t
’

p e a n e
. e p as a l a e c e c e e ac e

e t s c i e nt i fi que ; il n a c ond amné ni l a théologi e ni l a ’

mét a physiqu e Au c ontrair e le s ac quisitions sc i e nt i fi que s

.
,

doive nt s e rvir ä les constitu e r d aut ant plus p ar fait e s l une ’ ’

e t l a utr e que l e s s c i e nc e s s e ront e ll e s m émes p lus e o m

’
-

p r éh e n s i v e s e t p lus ri c h e s e n vérités in c ont e sté e s E t c e l a .

surtout distingue Rog e r B ac on d e s thomist e s p ostéri e urs

a 1 2 8 0 p l u s e n c or e q ue d e S Thom as p our qui l a t äc h e
, .
,

du théologi e n e t du phil oso ph e s e r a ä pe u prés t e rminé e

qu and il aura fa it l a synth es e d es c onn aiss a n c e s a ntéri e ur e
m e nt r ass e mblée s D un autr e c ö t é l ut il i t é pr atiqu e p a r
.
’

,
’

l e s a p pli ca tions industri e ll e s n a p our lui q u un r öl e

’ ’

s e c ond a ir e le but su p r em e c e st l a p oss e ssion d e l a s ag e ss e ,

’

d o i1 résult e r a l ét e rn e lle bé atitud e

’ ’
2
.

P o u r l a m o ra l e ,
d on t le t e xt e a é t é p ubli é p o ur l a p r e miere f o i s
p a r B r i d g e s i l f a u s e s o uv e n i r d e
, t c e q u a é c ri Emi l e Ch arle s q ui
’
t
av ai t t t
c o n s u l é o u s l e s ma n u s c r i s d e R o e r B a c o n
g t
S ur l é d u c a t i o n .
’

te l l e q u e l e n t e n d R o e r B a co n v o i r E s s a i s c h x ii e t c h
’

g ,
ii i , e t n o r e
, . . x t
t
a r i c l e d e l a Re vu e de s D e u x M on des d u 1 <= r ui n
,
j .

S ur Ro g e r B a c o n m y s i q u e t , on peu t v o ir c e q ui va é t re d i t d e s
x
d e u f o rme s d e l e x ér i e n ce
p
’

.
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LES PH ILOS O PH E S 81

Pour m e ttre pl e in e m e nt e n lum 1e r e l homm e origin al e t ’

l e p e ns e ur qui ti e nt par tout e s s e s ins pir ations a u X II I "

5 1e c l e il s e mbl e qu il s uffise d e montr e r a ve c un p e u p lus ’

, ,

d e p récision qu e ll e fut p our Rog e r Bac on l a méthod e pa r

,

e x c e ll e n c e d e l a r e c h e r c h e e t d e l e ns e i gn e me nt e t c e qu il
’ ’

fa it p our l a théologi e e t l e x égé se d e la p hiloso phi e qu il

’ ’

, ,

a a insi a c quis e .

Comm e sour c e s d e nos c onn a iss a n c e s Rog e r B ac on a dm e t ,

l a ut ori t é le r a isonn e m e nt e t l e x p éri e n c e

’ ’
‘
.
,

P e rsonne pas m eme Alb e rt le Gr and ou V inc e nt d e Be au

,

vais n a r e c he rc hé le s ouvr ag e s du passé a ve c a ut a nt d e soin

,
’

n a moins é p a rgné son a rg e nt e t se s p e in e s p our r a ss e mbl e r

’

d e s m a nus c rits e t e n a ugm e nt e r s a ns c e ss e le nombr e Ma is .

s il fait a ppe l ä l aut ori t é e t au témoign ag e il n ad m e t

’ ’

,
’

q ue l a ut o ri t é qui vi e nt d e D i e u ou c e ll e d e s homm e s s a ints

’

et s ag e s ; il c ond amn e l auto ri t é qui s att ac h e a d e s g e ns ’ ’

qui n e le mérit e nt ni par l e m plo i d e s pro c édés pro pr e s ä ’

trouve r la vérité ni par un g e nr e d e v i e qui fass e su ppos e r

,

que D i e u l e ur a ac c ordé d e s révél a tions s p éc i a l e s Aussi .

a nnon ce t i l l i nt e nt i o n d e v éri fi e r p ar l e x p ér i e n c e l e s affir

’ ’
- -

m ations qu il doit ä l aut o ri t é hu m ain e e t il n h ési te pas

’ ’

,
’

ä déc l are r fauss e s c e ll e s qu e ll e c ontr e dit Roge r Bac on n e ’

.

se c ont e nt e p as d e s do c um e nts é c rits il s e ffo rc e tout e sa ’

vi e d e nou e r d e s r e l ations a v ec c e u x qu il e stim e c a abl e s

’

p
d e lui f ournir d e s c onn a iss a nc e s nouv e ll e s m a itr e s s a v a nts ,

ou homm e s déda ignés par e ux La tins Gr e c s ou Hébr e ux , , .

Pe rsonne d ans c e XI II s i e c l e qui use t a nt d e s U nive rsités

,
5

e t d e s Ec ol e s n a e u une c o nfi a nc e plus gr a nd e d ans l a

’ *

uiss n d m l rol M a is il s e
’

p a c e e l e ns e i g n e e n t e t d e a p a e .

rés e rve d e xami ne r l a vale ur d es le cons c omm e c e ll e d e s

’

Le s t e xt e s r e la t i fs ä l
’
e x p éri e n e e o nt d éjä é t é r e le v é s en t
p ar i e
p ar Ch a rl e s pp , . 1 1 1 —1 5 , c o x q u i c o n c e m e n t l e ai s o n n e m e n t
mm e ceu r
’
e t l e x p é ri e n c e . V o i r a us si E s s a i s c h xi L e m ai t re d e s e xp é i e n c e s
, .
, r ,

P i e r re d e M a r i c o ur t x ii J e a n di sc i p l e d e R o g e r B a co n ; xi i i Ce ux
, , ,

que co mb a t R o g e r B a c o n .
 82 R OG E R BA CON

éc rits e n s e s e rva nt d e l e x p éri e nce e t d e l o bse rvatio n

,
’ ’

tout e s le s fois que c e l a s e ra possibl e .

‘

Rog e r B ac on a dm e t bi e n c omm e s e s c ont e m por ains q u on , ,

’

utilis e le s tr a du c tions fait e s d e puis l e t e m ps d e B oé c e

I I I S i ec l e I l f éli c it e Rob e rt d e Lin c oln
j q
’ °
u s u a u x 11 e t a u X °
.

d a vo i r voulu e n a ugm e nt e r l e nombr e e t il indiqu e mi e ux

’

q u on n e fit j a m ais ä qu e ll e s c onditions doit ré pondr e une

’

bo n n e tr adu c tion il faut c onnai tre l a l angu e d ans l a qu ell e

e s t é c rit e l oeuv re origin a l e c e ll e d ans l a qu e ll e 0 11 v e ut l a
’

f a ir e pa ss e r e t l a s c i e n ce m é me dont il y e st tr a it é Ma is .
,

c o m m e d e s tr a du c t e urs B o é e e s e ul a c onnu l es l a ngu e s ,

Rob e rt d e Lin c oln s e ul a c onnu le s s c i e nc e s il n y a pas ,

’

d e t r a du c tions qui ré p ond e nt a ux c onditions r e quis e s .

Mem e il e n e st e n p a rti c uli e r d Ar i s t o t e d e si m a uv a is e s

’

qu il vaudra it mi e ux qu ell e s n e xi st e nt pas ou que pe rsonn e

’ ’ ’

n e l es c onsult e E n tout e c i r c onst a n c e il e s t d o ne p ré

.
,

f érable d e r e c ourir a ux origin a ux gr e c s e t hébr e ux a r a b e s ,

e t syri a qu e s — d aut ant plus q u un e f oul e d oe uvr e s s c i e nti

’ ’ ’

fi que s philoso phiqu e s e t théologiqu e s n o ut j am ais été mis e s

’

e n l atin Aussi a ppr e nd i l lui —mé me les l angu e s qu il j ug e ’

-
.

bon d e s a voir Aussi insist e t il tout a l a fois sur l a n éc e s

.
- -

s i t é d a v o i r d e s c oll a bor a t e urs qui l es s ac h e nt d es prot e o

’

t e urs ri c h e s e t p uiss a nts p a pe p rin c e s rois e t s e ign e urs , , , ,

qui lui pro c ur e nt l a rge nt néc e ss air e a l a r e c h e r c h e e t ä

’

l ac hat de s livre s ignoré s d es Latins afi n d y r e c ue illir d ans

’ ’
'

tout e l e ur pur e té le s c onn a iss anc e s tr ansmis e s

,
2
.

Rog e r Bac on e m ploi e le r a isonn e m e nt Mais non s e ul e .

m e nt i l p e ns e que l a logiqu e e s t c onnue n atur e ll e m e nt qu il ,

’

y a une autr e fac on d e r a isonn e r que c e ll e dont on trouv e

l a théori e d a ns l 0 rgan on il a ffi rme e n outr e
’

q ue l e s , , ,

c on c lusions l e s
p lus c e rt a in e s l a iss e nt ä désir e r si e ll e s ne ,

sont pas v éri fi ées Su ppos e z dit il qu on a it prouvé par

.
,
-
,
’

E s sa i s , ch . x ii e t c h . xiii .

2
V oi r no re ar t t i c le d a n s la Revue des D eux M ondes du 1 er jui n sur
l a f o r ma i o n t i nt e ll e c t ue l l e d e Ro g e r B a c o n .
84 R OG ER B A CO N

s e t e nd d e l observat i on pro pr e m e nt dit e d e la soumission

’
,

p a ti e nt e e t p e rs p i c a c e a l a n a tur e j usqu a l e x p éri e n ce qui,

’

la m e t a l a q u e stion p our lui a rr ac h e r se s s e c r e ts Ell e us e .

d e s s e ns ; e ll e y j oint d e s inst r um e nts dont Rog e r B ac on

voudr a it qu on a ugm e nt e le nombr e e t l a p orté e e ll e ut ilis e
’

le r a isonn e m e nt p ar a n al ogi e c o m m e l e s mod e rn e s e n , ,

p a rti c ul i e r p our l e x p l i c a t i
’
o n d e l a r c e n c i e l e t p our l a
’
- -

déc ouve rt e d es moye ns pro pr e s ä prolong e r l a v ie hum aine .

Le t ém oign ag e int e rvi e nt c om m e une obs e rv ation indir e c t e

p our nous a p p r e ndr e s i e ll e e s t dirigé e

, p ar d e s s a g e s c e ,

qui s e p ass e la o ü nous ne somm e s p as Ainsi nous avo us .

l a r a ison e t l a c a us e e n m em e t e m ps q ue le f a it Au d e ssus .
-

d e tout e s l es s c i e n c e s s p éc ul ative s d e tous l e s a rts sinon , ,

a u —d e ssus d e l a p hiloso p hi e e t d e l a théologi e

’
l e x p ér i e n c e ,

a p ar r a p p ort a ux a utr e s s c i e n ce s trois gr a nd e s p rérog a tiv e s

, ,

e ll e e x a min e e t c o n fi rm e l e urs c on c lusions e ll e fournit d e s ,

rés ul t ats nouve aux qui e ntr e nt d a ns le s s c i e nc e s e xist a nt e s ,

e ll e p rovoqu e d a ns l a s c i e n c e d e nouv e ll e s divisions e ll e ,

p r oduit l a c onn a iss a n c e du p rés e nt du passé e t du futur , ,

e ll e amé ne ra c e s inv e ntions m e r v e ill e us e s plut ö t e ntr e vu e s

ou i m aginée s que ré alisé e s ä c e tt e é poque e m plo i d e l a ,

poudr e ä c a non p our l a tt a que e t l a dé fe ns e d e s fort e r e ss e s

’

inst r um e nts pour n avigu e r s ans r a m e urs p o ur n a ge r e t ,

r e st e r so us l e au p our vol e r a l a fa c on d e s ois e aux voitur e s

’

, ,

p our roul e r s a ns a tt e l a g e p onts s a ns c olonn e s e t s a ns p il e s

, ,

miroirs c ombur a nts ve rr e s qui utilis e nt l e pouvoir grossis

,

s ant d e sur face s dive rs e s e t c onduiront au mi c ros c o p e e t au

tél e s c o pe e t c , .
‘

I l fau t c o n s ul t e r m em e t e m p s q u e l Opus M ajus l 0 pus M i nus

, en
’

,
’

e t l Opu s T e r ti u m l e f r a g m e n t d e G a s q u e t l Ep i s tol a f ra tr i s Rog er i i

’ ’

, ,

B a con i s d e se cre ti s oper i bu s a r ti s e t n a tura e e t de n u lli ta te mag i a e ,

( B re w e r) L a r é i m p r e ssi o n o u l a p ub l i c a t i o n d e s o p us c ul e s d e R o g e r
.

B a c o n n o u s f o ur n i r a i l f a u t l e s é r e r d e s r e n s e i n e m e n t s e o m l é m e n
’

p, g , p
t a i re s s ur la t h éo ri e d e l a d o ub l e e xp é ri e nc e ch e z Rog e r B a c o n .

Co m p a r e z a ussi n o r e t No t e p o u r l A c a d é mi e d e s Sc i e n c e s
’

,
’
C omptes
r e n du s ,
p 6 15 du
. t o me c l v i i , s é a n c e d u 1 3 o c ob r e 1 9 1 3 t .
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LE S PH I LOS OPH ES 85

Ma is l hum aine e t philoso phique e st c e pe nd ant

e x p ér i e n c e
’

insufli sant e pa rc e qu e ll e ne fournit p as p our les cor ps une

’

p l e in e c e rtitud e e t q u e ll e n a tt e i n t a
’
u c un e d es c hos
’
e s
s piri tue ll e s Il faut done que l i rit elle c t hum a in soit a idé p ar
.
’

d aut re s moy e ns p ar d es illu m in ations intéri e ur e s p ar d e s

’

, ,

ins pir ations divin e s qui p ort e nt sur l e mond e s e nsibl e

c omm e sur l e mond e int e lligibl e qui ac h éve nt l a s c i e nc e ,

c omm e l a p hiloso phi e e t l a théologi e Au pr e mi e r d e gré .

sont le s il lumin ations pur e m e nt s c i e nt i fi ques qui c o mplé t e nt ,

e n l e s e x liqu a nt l e s résult a ts d e l e x p éri e n c e e xt e rn e

’

p ,
.

Puis c e sont les ve rtus qui c larifi e nt l e s pri t d e fac on qu il ’

,
’

c om pr e nd p lus fa cil e m e nt l e s c hos e s mor al e s e t c e ll e s d o r d re

’

sc i e nt ifi qu e Rog e r B ac on r e j oint ainsi Plotin par l int e r

.
’

méd i aire d e S Augustin e t d Alg azel ; au li e u d e dir e q ue

’
.

la s c i e n ce e s t l a c ondition néc e ss a ir e e t s uffi sant e d e l a v e rtu ,

que tout mé c h a nt e st un ignor a nt il souti e nt que l a v e rtu ,

e s t l a c ondition indis pe ns a bl e d e l a s c i e n c e q ue l e mé c h a nt ,

ne p e ut ar r iv e r a l a p oss e ssion d e l a vérité Au troisiem e .

d e gré sont l es s e p t dons du S Es prit dont p ar l e nt Is a1e .

e t S P a ul e t qui c ar a c téris e nt l e s p e r fe c tions nouv e ll e s d ans

.

l homm e illuminé p ar Di e u Puis c e sont le s bé a titud e s

’
.
,

qui prés e nt e nt le s m em e s r ésult ats sous un e form e nouve ll e .

Ensuit e le s s e ns s p iritu e ls fourniss e nt d e l Ec ri t ure d e s

’

int e r prét ations a llégoriqu e s ave c l e sque ll e s la théologi e

r e construit l e mond e int e lligible L un d e s fruits e n e s t .
’

l a p aix d e Di e u qui sur pass e tout c e q ue donn e nt l e s s e ns .

Enfin s e produise nt l e s r a viss e m e nts l e s e xt a s e s qui uniss e nt ,

l homm e ä Di e u e n lui fais a nt v0ir b e a u c ou p d e c hos e s dont

’

il n e st p as pe rmis d e p ar l e r e n lui donn ant la c e rtitud e

’

, ,

p o u r lui e t p our l e s a ut r e s s u r l e s c hos e s s i r itu e ll e s e t l e s

p ,

s c i e nc e s hum a in e s e n le c h rist ifiant e t e n le d e 1fiant

,
.
‘

Pour l e nse igne me nt Rog e r B ac on ne c e ss e d e re c o m

’

Il fa u t rap p roch e r c e q ui e st d i t d e la_

sc i e n c e e x p é r i me n t a l e de ce

q ui e st d i t d e l a m ora l e , p ui s d e s a ffi n i t é s de l a t h éo l ogi e e t d e la
p h i lo so p hi e .
86 R OG ER B A CON

m ande r la méthod e qui a pris a ve c Al e x andre d e H al es

s a f orm e d éfi ni t i v e on ne s aura it c o nnaitre c e que l on ve ut ’

s aisir par son int e llig e nc e s i l on n a e nt e ndu e t fait d es ’ ’

c on fér e n c e s si l on n a pris part aux dis c ussions e t si on

’ ’

ne l e s a soi m é me di r igé e s Et c e st p our c e tt e r a ison

’
-
.

qu il a c c us e d ignoran c e c e ux qui s e sont c réés m a it r e s

’ ’

a va nt d a v o i r ét é é c oli e rs qu il l es r e nd r e s pons abl e s du

’ ’

m auvais ét at d e s étud e s e t d e l a c orru ption d es m oe urs .

Mais c e s e x e r c i c e s né c e ss a i re s il ne le s j uge pa s s uffis ants ,

.

Roge r Bac on n e st pas plus s a tis fait d e l a m an 1e r e dont on

’

e ns e ign e l a vérité q ue d e l a fa c on dont o u l a c h e r c h e Le .

m aitre d e vra it rédig e r un m anu e l p our le s étudi ants e t l e ur

fa ir e d e s le co ns or al e s dont l i mpor t ane e e st gr a nd e e n r a ison
’

m em e d e la puiss a nc e n a ture ll e e t surn atur e ll e qui e st

a tt r ibué e a l a p a rol e 0 11 y j oindra it d e s c ons e ils une
.
,

dire c tion c onst ant e 0 11 suivr ait l ord re indiqu é au P ape

.
’

e n e ns e ign a nt l es l a ngu e s l es m a thém a tiqu e s l a multi pli c a

, ,

tion d e s e s péc e s e t l o pt i que la s c i e n c e e x périm e nt al e e t

’

mor al e la philoso phi e le droit c anon e t l a théologi e ; 0 11

, ,

fe r a it pr a tiqu e r l e xp éri e nc e e xt e rn e e t int e rn e Le dis c i pl e

’
.

doit ava nt tout a voir le c oe ur pur ; il doit etr e do c il e

, ,

e t a tt e nti f tr a v a ill e r d a r es l e s rin i s qui lui sont donnés

’

, p p c p e

e t le s m e tt r e e n tiqu d ns d r h r h s rsonn ll s ‘
p r a e a e s e c e c e p e e e .

Po ur le s philoso phe s du XI II s 1e c le l a s c i e nc e m aitr e ss e 5

,

e s t l a théologi e dont l a
philoso phi e e t l e s s c i e n c e s sont l e s
,

s e rvant e s ou les va ss al e s Et Bac on us e d e xpre ssi ons ana .

’

lo g ue s Mais c e s t a ussi s e lon lui l a s c i e n c e q ui a b e soin

’
.
, , ,

pour s e c onstitu e r du droit c a non e t d e l a philoso p hi e d e s

, ,

m athém atique s sous tout e s l e urs form e s d e la multi pli c ation ,

d e s e s p é c e s e t d e l o pt i que d e l a s c i e n c e e x p érim e nt a l e e t
’

d e la m or a l e De sort e q u e si l a théologi e e s t a u pr e m i e r
.

pl an c om me il c onvi e nt a l a s c i e n c e q ui tr a it e d e D i e u
, ,

l a philoso phi e e t l e s s c i e nc e s p r e nn e nt u n e v a l e ur s i n ul i é re
g ,

puis q u e lle s sont indis p e ns abl e s ä l ac q ui s i t i o n d e l a pa r fait e

’ ’

E i h x i i t h xii i ss a s , c . e e . .
 SA P LA CE PAR MI LES PH ILOS OPH ES 87

s agess e Et c omm e l a s c ie nc e c om p ort e p our Rog e r B ac on

.
, ,

les c onn a iss a n c e s d é jä r a ss e mblée s e t c e ll e s q ui r e st e nt ä

déc ouvrir le théologi e n doit fair e appe l ä l e xpéri e nc e e xt e rne
,
’

e t a l e xp ér i e nc e p a r illumin a tion intéri e ur e p our etr e d e

’

p lus e n p lus r e ns e igné sur l e mond e s e nsibl e e t sur l e mond e

int e lligible Au lie u d e s e c onstitu e r d éfini ti veme nt c omm e

.

e ll e le fut d a ns s e s gr a nd e s lign e s p a r S Tho m as l a théologi e

, , .
,

s e ra it s ans c e ss e e n progré s ou e n ac c roiss e me nt du fait

d e se s pro pr e s ac qu isitions c omm e du fait d e l a ugme nt a
’

tion de s c onn a iss anc e s p ositive s e t philoso phiqu e s .

‘

Et c omm e Rog e r B ac on v e ut q ue le théologi e n appr e nn e

l e s l a ngu e s pour c onsult e r a l a sour ce le s t e xt e s s ac rés e t
l e urs c omm e nt aires 0 11 e u e üt ae quis une com préhe nsion
,

d a ut ant plus e x ac t e qu on e üt p ris d e s l a ngu e s une co n

’ ’

n aiss a nce plus appro fondie e t plus préc is e L e x égése .

’

c omm e l a théologi e e üt été d a ns un pro gré s c o nst a nt

’

,
d au
t a nt plus qu e ll e a ur a it utilisé c omm e e ll e tout e s l es donnée s
’

nouve ll e s qu on aur a it re c u e illi d ans le dom a ine sc ie ntifi que

’

e t p hiloso p hiqu e .

Da ns nos pre miere s public ations r e l ative s ä Rog e r

un e de
Bac on nous é c rivions e n 1 90 4 q ue S i 1 Eglis e a v a it suivi l a
’

, ,

dire c tion d a ns l a qu e ll e il voul ait l e ngage r il n y a ur a it e u ’

,
’

p l ac e ni pour u n e R e n a iss a n c e p ar f ois hostil e au c hristi a

ni s m e ni p our un e Ré f or m e qui se s ep ar at c om p l et e m e nt
,

du c atholic ism e ni pour une lutt e ouve rt e ou une ru p tur e

,

c om pl et e e n tr e le s théologi e ns l es
p hiloso ph e s ou l e s s a va nts
, ,

e ntr e l e s e x é é t e s e t l e s ar tis a ns d e l a c ritiqu e historiqu e

g p .

On p ourr a it tout a ussi bi e n m arqu e r l o r i gi n alit é d e B ac on

’

e n dis a nt qu on n e s a u r a it néglig e r d e r a p pe l e r son n o m e t

’

son oe uvre qu a nd on parl e du but p oursuivi p ar le s ho m m e s

Le s re c h e r c h e s s u r la t h é o lo g i e et l
’
e x égés e d e Ro g e r B ac o n o n t
é t é fa i te s a la se c t io n d es s c i e n c e s re l i g i e u s e s t
d e 1 Ec o l e p ra i q u e d e s
’

H a ut e s Et u d e s (H i s toi re de s d octri n es
-
et de s d ogme s ) . V oir E ss a i s ,

ch . i e t ch . x iv .
88 R OG ER BA CON

d e la R e n aiss a nc e ou par l e s Réform at e urs par De s cart e s ,

o u K ep l e r p a r l a So c iété roy a l e e t le s A c a démi e s qui ont

,

grou p é l es c he r c h e urs d e tout e e s pece par le s obs e rva t e urs

,

e t l e s e x p ér i rn e n t a t e u rs qui ont ré a lisé t a nt d i nv e n t i o n s

’

m e r ve ill e us e s par le s p ositivi st e s qui ont pro c l amé l a c orrél a

,

tion e t la hiérarc hi e d es s c i e n ce s c omm e l a néc e ssité d un e

,
’

p hiloso p hi e s c i e nt i fi q u e p a r l,es e x ég é t e s qui p r o fi t e n t

d e s pro gré s ré a lisés p ar l e s s c i e n c e s physiqu e s l e s s c i e n ce s ,

mor al e s e t historiqu e s c omm e par l ét ud e d e s l a ng ue s ’

.

S Thom as par son oe uvr e qui a triom phé d ans le mond e

.
,

c atholiqu e a v a it a bso r bé d a ns l a p hiloso p hi e tout e s l e s

,

c onn ai ss a n c e s a ntéri e ur e m e nt ac q u is e s p our e n c onstitu e r

l e x égé s e e t l a théologi e Rog e r B ac on a e squissé une oeuvr e

’
.

qu il n a pas a c h e vée m ais dont le s p arti e s ré alisée s nous

’ ’

p e r m e tt e nt d e j ug e r l e but e t l a m pl e ur
’
L a p hiloso
.
p hi e

y e üt j oué un r öle a n alogu e ä c e l ui qu e ll e a e u c h e z ’

S Thom as e ll e e üt r ass e mblé tous l e s résult ats obt e nus par

.

l e s sci e n c e s d a ns l e ur dév e lo p pe m e nt su c c e ssi f e t e ll e e üt

a ve c e ll e c onstitué un e e x ég é s e e t une théologi e qui nous

a ur a it fait a p ro c h e r d e lus n l u s d l s g e ss e r f a it e
p p e p e a a p a ,

c ap abl e d e guid e r l ho m m e d a ns e e mond e e t d e lui

pro c ur e r
’

l a bé atitud e ét e rn e ll e Si le s s a v ants le s philoso ph e s le s

.
, ,

réform at e urs r e ligi e ux s e réc l a m e nt d e pré fér e n c e d e Roge r

B ac on t andis q ue l Eglise c a tholiq u e S e st touj ours a tt ac hée
’ ’

S Thom as on ne p e ut s e mpé c h e r d e pe ns e r que l es nou

.
,
’

ve aux thomist e s song e nt a pr es Léon X III ä réunir l es, ,

a v a nt ag e s qu on ut r tir r d ux m éthod s qu a nd
’

p e e e d e s e e ,

ils ve ul e nt ac c ro i t re les c onn aiss ance s an c i e nn e s p ar de s

r e c h e r c h e s nouv e ll e s veter a a uger e n ovi s .
 RO GE R B A CON AND TH E L ATI N V U L GA TE

BY CARD I NAL GAS QU ET

THE work o f Roge r Bac on in r e g ard to t he Vulg at e is w ell
known His o pinions a s t o the st at e o f th e t e xt in th e
.

ordin ary B ibl e s of th e thirt e e nth ce ntury and his sugg e stions ,

a s to t h e princi pl e s whi c h should r e gul a t e a ny r e vision h a v e

b e e n fr e que ntly se t f orth by th os e int e r e st e d in t h e history

o f t h e La tin V ulg a t e whilst m a ny mod e rn writ e rs amongst
, ,

whom I may n a m e M S B e rg e r th e Abbé Martin t h e . .

,
‘
,
2

Fran c is ca n Fa th e r Th e o philus Witz e l an d oth e rs h a ve ,

5
,

writt e n s pe c i ally u p on this subj e c t Littl e th e re for e r e m ains .

t o b e don e but to f ollow in th e ir footst e ps .

From one p oint o f vi e w t h e whol e o f Rog e r Bac on s ’

e n c y c lo p ae di c works ma y b e r e g a rd e d as l e a ding u p t o t h e

r e vision of th e La tin B ibl e whi c h h e c onside re d so im p or ,

t ant Th e n e c e ss ary s c i e ntifi c c orr e c tion of t h e t e xt was

.

t h e m ain r e a son i rnp e ll i ng him to d e m a n d a mor e a c c ur a t e

study o f l angu ag e s an d mor e c orr e c t knowl e dg e of sc i e n c e .

Throughout all his va rious tr e a tis e s or pa rts o f his gr e a t ,

work B ac on c onst a ntly r e turns t o t h e s a m e c e ntr al id e a

, ,

n am e ly th a t th e t he ologi a ns o f his d ay an d in pa rti c ul ar

, ,

t h e t e ac h e rs in t h e g r e a t U niv e rsity o f P a ris h a d n e gl e ct e d ,

t o ground th e ms e lve s suffic i e ntly in m a tt e rs o f l angu a g e and

s c i e n c e t o t h e gr e a t d e trim e nt o f th e ir s p e c i al st u di e s .

Sa m u e l B e rg e r D e l hi s toi re d e l a Vu lg a te
’

, en F r a n ce P a r i s
, , 1 8 87 .

2
J . P . P . M a r t i n L a Vu lg ate l ati n e
,
au XI I I s i ecle d
’
a pr es Rog er
B a con P a r i s
, , 1888 .

5
Th e o p hi l u s W i t ze ] , D e Fr . R o g e ro B a c o n e i us qu e
t t ia
se n e n de r eb us b i bli c i s ,
’
i n A rc h F r a n c
. . H i s t i i i 3— 2 2 1 8 5—2 1 3
.
, . , .
 0 R OGE R B A CON
9

It is c l e ar th at th e Franc is can h a d e x pr e ss e d the s e vi e ws as

t o t h e d e c a d e n c e o f th e ologi c a l studi e s to Po p e Cl e m e nt IV ,

b e fore t h e e l e va tion o f t h e l a tt e r to t h e P a pac y an d as ,

a c ons e q ue n c e th a t Po p e in t h e s e c ond y e a r o f his p ont i fi c a t e

c ommuni c a t e d to t h e fr i a r his d e sir e th a t h e should writ e

fully his c riti c ism o f t h e st a t e o f e cc l e si a sti cal studi e s a t

t h e tim e a n d m a k e W h a t e v e r sugg e stions h e thought us e ful
,

t o r e m e dy t h e e vils h e p e r c e ive d I n 1 2 6 7 th e r e for e B a c on

.
, ,

r e plie d with his Opu s M i nus in whi c h t h e tr ac t The ,

S e ve n Ca pit a l Si ms o f Th e ology s e ts forth c l e arly th e points

’

whe re in h e c onside rs t he tr aining th e n give n to e cc l esi astics

was at fault .

Th e f ourth o f th e s e Ca p it a l Si ms B a c on d e c l ar e s to b e
t h e p r ac ti c a l ab andonm e nt o f t h e s c i e ntifi c study o f t h e
s ac re d S c ri ptur e s in fa vour o f th e B ook of the S e ntences o f
P e t e r t he Lomb a rd u pon whi c h in t he Unive rsity o f P aris
,

a ll th e ologi c a l tr a ining was th e n b a s e d H e writ e s . Wh e n

any o ne h as r e a d th a t ( Le . t h e B ook of the S en te nces ) h e
thinks hims el f a Mast e r in Th e ology though h e has not ,

studie d (n on a udi at) a thirti e th pa rt o f his Te xt ( i e t h e . .

S ac re d Th a t by t h e wo r d Te xt Ba c on m e a ns
t he B ibl e is m a d e c l e ar by wh at f o llows fo r in t h e c ont e xt ,

h e c om pl ains th at wh e r e as oth e r fac ulti e s us e t h e t e xt

p p
r o e r to th e ir studi e s a s t h e b a sis o f t h e t e a c hing in t h e

s c hools th e ology l e ave s its t e xt p r a c ti c ally on o ne sid e

,
.

I n t h e foriafr o mt o f his work writt e n by dir e c tion o f t h e

,

Po pe amd pr e s e nt e d to hi m Rog e r B ac on pl e a d e d fo r a
,

mor e thorough amd s c i e ntifi c t e ac hing o f t h e Holy S c ri p tur e

I n his o p inion th e r e wa s a n im pe r a tiv e n e e d fo r a c h a ng e
in this m att e r in t h e s c hools o f t h e Pa ris Unive rsity Som e .

r e a d e rs o f his words m a e rh s b in lin d to r g rd his

y p a p e c e e a

e x r e ssions as not us t ifi e d in fac t but t h e whol e ss g is

p j , p a a e

worth quoting as giving t h e b e st a vail abl e e vid e n c e At .

P aris and e ls e wh e r e h e s a ys t h e B ac h e lor who t ake s t he

, ,

Op M i n u
. s, ed B w .
p 3 8 re e r, . 2 .
92 R OG E R B A CON

a uth e nti c m a nus c ri p ts In th e s e a nc i e nt c odic e s h e s ays may

.
, ,

b e s e e n t h e r e adin gs h e ld a s au th e nti c by t h e Rom an Chur c h ;

th at is h e adds t h e tr ansl ation o f St J erom e as St Isidor e
, ,
.
,
.

d e c l ar e s in his book D e Oz? i ci i s ( i 1 2 ) _

.

I f h e c ontinu e s a ft e r r e c o ur s e h as b e e n h ad to t h e a n c i e nt
, ,

m anusc ri pts th e r e still r e m ains a doubt as to t h e pro p e r

r e nde ring o f a pass ag e in t h e s ac r e d t e xt ac c ording to t he ,

t e ac hing o f St Augustin e St J erom e amd inde e d o f all t he

.
, .
,

do c tors o f t h e Churc h r e c ours e must b e h ad to th e l anguage ,

from whi c h t h e Lat i n t e xt h as b e e n tr ansl at e d to d e t e rmin e

whe the r it h as r e nd e re d t h e m e aning o f th e origin al e x ac tly
or no As an e x am pl e in point Bac on t ak e s t h e words o f
.

Mark viii 38 whi c h in t h e La tin run : qui m e conf essa s

.
,

fu e rit &c whi c h should b e conf us us f u e rit

’
c onflte bi tur ,
.
,

c onf u nde tur a cc ording to t h e Gr e e k m a nus c ri p ts which ,

h av e a Gr e e k word m e aning b e ing a sh am e d o f

Th a t this is t h e tru e r e a ding B a c on c o mfi rms by a n ,

instr uc tiv e us e o f t h e Eus e bi a n Camo ms In t h e s e c ond o f .

th e s e Camo ms are not e d t h e pass a ge s in whi c h thr e e o f the

Ev a ng e lists agr e e Am ongst th e s e t he pass ag e i m Mark
.

viii 38 is s e e m to a gr e e with p a r all e l p ass ag e s in Matth e w

.

and L uk e I n t h e f o rm e r t h e words u s e d ar e
. who ,

sh all deny me and in t h e l att e r who sh all be ashamed o f

,
’

me thus c o nfirmi ng t h e o p i nion th at t h e word us e d in

t h e La t i n v e r sion o f Ma rk should b e c onf us us a n d not

f
c on ess us .

Roge r Bac on do e s not a pp ar e ntly c onsid e r t h e d e fe ctiv e

n atur e o f t h e Bibl e m a d e us e o f in t h e s c hools o f P aris
as so v e ry e xtr a ordin a ry For forty y e ars h e s a ys m any .
, ,

th e ologi ans a nd P aris books e lle rs h a v e b e e n c o p ying and

s e lling t he c orru pt t e xt A gr e a t n umb e r o f c ar e l e ss s c rib e s
.

h ave a dd e d to t h e c onfusion by m aking c h ang e s o f words ,

&c a c c ording to th e ir own j udg e m e nt

.
, Th e ologi ans h a v e .

no m e ans o f e x am ining t h e t e xt c r iti c ally and so r e ly u pon ,

it as c orr e c t Lat e r wh e n p e rh aps th e y b e c am e c ons c ious

.
,
 THE LATI N V U LGATE 93

th at the re was som e thin g wrong or unsatisfac tory the y ,

wishe d to c ha ng e what the y im agine d to b e wrongly tr a ns

l at e d But b e c aus e th e y h ad not the a bility e ac h o ne
.
,

m ad e wh at c orr e c tions h e pl e as e d This our author

s a ys is still b e ing done and a s e ac h o ne h as his own
,
‘ ’

o p inion as to wh a t c orr e c tions should b e m a d e t he r e sult is ,

to introduc e an almost e ndl e ss div e rsity o f r e a dings Th e

r e sult is unce rt a inty and t h e c as e is r e ally simil ar to th at
,

d e s c rib e d by St J e ro m e writing to Po pe D amasus Whe r e

.

th e r e is dive rsity t he truth c annot b e known .

’

Th e origin o f t h e d iffi c ult y r e sulting in t h e d e fe c tiv e P a r is

t e xt was in Rog e r Bac on s o pinion si m ply this th at thos e
,
’

who did not he sit a t e to c orre c t m ad e no a tt e m pt to s e e k fo r ,

t h e r e adings to b e found in t h e most a n c i e nt La tin t e xts amd ,

we r e ignora nt o f t he Gr e e k a nd H e br e w l angu age s from

whi c h t h e Latin ve rsion was d e rive d E ve n h e s ays a .
, ,

good gr amm ar would h e l p the m and s ave th e m from trying

to c hang e t h e old g ramm ar whi c h St J e r om e who tr ans .
,

l at e d into Lat in kn e w so we ll sin c e h e was a pu p il o f the

, ,

gr e at Don a tus and t he gr e at e r Pris c i a n Contr a ry to

wh at the ologi ans h ave s a id t he t e xt o f t he Lat in Churc h ,

is not a mix e d o ne It was tr a nsl at e d by St J e ro m e from

. . .

t h e H e br e w e x c e p t t h e Ps a lms whi c h ar e f rom t h e Se pt ua

, ,

g imt. Th e Ps alt e r ind e e d r e m a in e d in th e tr a nsl a tion from

, ,

t h e Gr e e k b e c a us e t h e Chur c h was a c c ustom e d to its us e a n d

would n ot acc e pt t h e ve rsion m ad e by St J e rom e from th e .

H e br e w whi c h was th e only o ne h e hims e l f thought to

,

b e c or r e c t .

I n this s a m e p a rt o f his Opus M i nus Rog e r B ac on give s

a full ac c ount o f t h e tr a nsl a tio n s th a t h a d b ee n m a d e o f t h e

Holy S c ri pt ur e b e for e t h e ti me o f St J e r om e In this h e . .

m ani fe sts a me xt e nt o f knowl e dg e surprising in t h e thirt e e nth

c e ntury an d whi c h ind e e d c o u ld h ardly b e sur p ass e d in
,

th e s e d ays His c on c lusion is that t he tr ansl ation o f

.

Op M i n
. .
, p 3 33
. .
 R OG E R B A CON
94

St J e rom e was e x c ell e nt in e ve ry wa y an d th at i t is t he

. ,

onl y o ne r e c ogniz e d by t h e La tin Chur c h a nd a r e turn to ,

whi c h must b e t h e e nd o f a ll r e vision .

He c alls t h e P 0 p e s a tt e ntion t o t h e fac t th at t h e Se p t ua

’

g i m t Gr e e k is not wholly t r ustworthy a s th at t e xt too h as ,

b e e n c o r ru pt e d by s c rib e s an d oth e rs This St J e ro m e h ad . .

not e d in his d ay as for e x am pl e in E z e ki e l xlii 2 wh e r e t h e

,
.
,

word cubi torum h as found i t s way into t h e t e xt wh e r e t h e ,

Gr e e k h as nothing and wh e r e St Be de not e s th at t h e word

,
.

should b e calamorum B e for e l e aving this m a tt e r he ag ain .

,

insists th at t h e a n c i e nt Bibl e s a re t h e only tru e t e sts o f

corr e c tn e ss an d h e wa rns st u d e nts a g ainst pa ying too mu c h
,

a tt e ntion to t h e p ass a g e s o f Holy S c ri p tu r e u s e d in t h e

Divin e Offi c e an d oth e r li t urgi c a l s e rvi c e s sin c e ch ang e s ,

h ave b ee n m a de for t h e s ak e o f gre at e r c l e a rn e ss an d for

a ids to d e votion
‘
.

Th e n e e d fo r p oss e ssing som e knowl e dg e o f Gr e e k in ord e r

to m ak e c orr e c tions s afe ly is a lso w e ll illustr at e d by Rog e r
B a c on . He t ak e s t h e words o f Matth e w xii 31 s pi ri tus .
,

bl asphemi a e wh e r e t h e word spi r i tu s usu ally und e rstood

,
—

as m e a ning t h e Holy S p i r it is shown by th e Gr e e k to b e in —

t h e g e nitiv e c a s e with bl a sphemi ae as bl a sphe mi a

2
.

I n t h e Opu s M afus B ac on a g a in insists u p on t h e n e c e ssity

o f e x amining t h e old e st La tin m a nus c ri ts e xisting i m m om
p
a s t e r i es an d not ye t gloss e d or r e tou c h e d whi c h afford t h e
tru e ve rsion m ad e by t h e a uthor ity o f t h e Ro m an Chur c h .

A c c ording to th e t e stimony o f th e s e old B ibl e s t h e P ar is

e dition should b e c orr e c t e d S ee ing t h e r e al d a ng e r to ’
5
.

r e ligion by th e c ir c ul ation o f a t e xt o f t h e Bibl e into whi c h

m any e rrors h ad c r e pt t h e l e a rn e d Fr an c is c an in this as , ,

Op . M in .
, p .
34 7 .

2
t m a n y m a n u s c i p t s h a v e t h i s m i s t a k e a s m ay b e s e e n i n
A g r ea r ,

th e t a u t h o i t i e s f o r t h i s re a d i n
l is o f r
g i n W ord s w o r t h a md W h i t e s
’

g r e a t w o k o n t h e N e w T s ta m n t
r e e .

3
Opus M aj .
, ed . B ri d g es , 5 .
 R OG E R B A CON
96

wh at t e xt th e y h ad to r e sto re Th e ologi ans as a body .

s e e m e d e ve n to think th a t t h e t e xt us e d by t h e Latin Chur c h

was n o t St J e r o m e s tr a nsl a tion a t all but a mix e d v e rsion
’

. ,

c om p il e d fro m m a ny di ffe r e nt sour c e s For th is r e ason .

with gr e a t lib e rty th e y introdu c e W h at e v e r words th e y d e sir e

to use . B ut it i s c e rt a in th a t t h e La tin Chur c h us e s St .

J e rom e s tr ansl ation e x c e p t in t h e Ps alt e r t h e tr ansl ation

’

, ,

o f whi c h is t a k e n fr om t h e S e p tu agint I n p rin c i pl e

’
.
,

the r e for e B ac on d e t e rmin e s th at e ve ry r e vision or c orr e c tion

,

must h a ve fo r its s c o p e t h e r e stor a tion o f St J e rom e s t e xt

’
.

wh e r e as t he thirt nth c e ntury c orr e c tors m ak e use o f oth e r

e e —

t ransl ations and e v e n t ak e th e ir t e xt from c omm e nt a tors ,

f ro m t h e e c c l e si asti c al liturgy and e v e n from t h e works o f ,

Jos e phus .
2

For th e s e r e asons Rog e r Ba c on b e gs t h e Po p e to us e his

supr e m e authority amd prohibit th e s e privat e a tt e m p ts at
c o r r e c ting t h e s ac r e d t e xt a n d to c om m it this d iffi c ul t am
,
d
l aborious t a sk to m e n who p oss e ss e d a d e qu at e l e arni ng and
who we re skill e d in t h e l angu ag e s n e ce ss ary for att e m pting
t he im p ort ant work Th e two things t h e l e arn e d Fr a n c is ca n
.

c h i e fly c ond e mns a r e first t h e P aris t e xt and s ec ondly t h e

, , ,

a tt e m p ts at c orr e c tion whi c h h ad b ee n m a d e c h i e fly by ,

t h e Fr a n c is c a ns a n d D omini c a ns in t h e first h al f o f t h e ,

thirt e e nth c e ntury som e forty ye ars 0 1 so be for e h e hims el f

,

d e nounce d th e s e a tt e m pts to t h e Po p e amd im plor e d hi m to

p ut a sto p to th e m .

His c ond e mn ation o f t h e m a j ority o f t h e c orr e c tors is b as e d

on s e ve r a l im p ort a nt c onsid e r ations a mongst whi c h are th e ,

f ollowing th e y h a v e n o a d e qu at e knowl e dg e o f t h e a n c i e nt
Bibl e s th e ir k n owl e dg e o f H e br e w and Gr e e k f rom whi c h t h e
La t i n is d e rive d is i nSuffi c i e nt th ey are un ac qu aint e d with
t h e b e st La t i n gr a mm a ri ans an d in p a rti c ul ar with t h e ,

wo rks o f Don atus amd Pris c i a n t h e m ast e rs o f St J e rom e ; ,

.

a nd th e y w e r e n o t a u c our a nt with t h e v a rious v e rsions

Op M i n
. d B w .
,
e
p 334 . re Ibi d p
e r, . . .
 THE LAT I N V U LGATE 97

whic h w e re in e xist e n c e in t he Latin Chur c h nor had the y ,

studi e d th eir origin amd history .

By t he ex pre ssion a n c i e nt B ibl e s Bac on m e a nt thos e

whi c h h ad c om e d own from t he age o f St Gre gory t he . .

Gre a t St Isidor e o f S e vill e amd Al c uin amd numbe rle ss

, .
, ,

othe r Bibl e s he writ e s s c att e r e d in various c ountri e s co m , ,

t e m por a ry with St Isidore or b efor e his tim e whi c h are .

,

fr e e from a lt e r ations Th e y are t h e s am e in all things .

,

e x c e p t for t he fa ults o f c o p yists from whi c h no writing ,

is fr e e .
’

Th e a c c ount o f t he origin o f t he V ulg at e t e xt give n by

t he l e a rn e d Fr a nc is ca n is o f gr ea t int e r e st as showing no t
only t he e xt e nt o f his knowl e dg e on this particul ar p art
o f his subj e c t but his e ntir e famili arity with the works o f
,

t he F a th e rs o f t he Chur c h a nd o f St J e rom e in pa rticul ar . .

St J e rom e h e s a ys found t h e ( Lati n) tr a nsl ation o f

.
’

, ,

t he S e p tu a gint d i s fi gur e d n o t only by t h e e rrors o f t h e

s c rib e s but by h aving from t h e first m any faults o f omission
,

o f n e c e ss a ry things an d a ddition o f things s up e rfluo us He .

( St J e rom e ) pe r c e ive d th a t truth was in this d e t a in e d a s

.

a c ap tiv e a nd fo r this r e a son h e r e solv e d t o giv e t h e Lat i n

,

Chur c h a v e rsion m a d e from t h e H e br e w He tr ansl at e d .

t he H e br e w a s we ll as h e c ould a nd as e x ac tly as h e d a r e d fo r ,

h e h ad n o wish to fright e n his r e a de rs by too gr e a t nov e lti es .

De noun c e d as h e was a s a fals ifi e r and c orru ptor o f t he

, ,

S c ri pture s he did not d are to tr ansl at e e ve rything e x act ly

,

as h e wish e d as may b e s e e n i n wh a t h e h as writt e n

, Thus .

through hum an fr a ilty or t he r apidity with whi c h he worke d

h e di c t a t e d or wrot e things som e tim e s in e x a c tly a s h e ,

hi ms e l f c onfe ss e s in his l e tt e r to Magnus and in h is co m

me nt ari es o m Is a i a s wh e r e h e d e sir e s to c orr e c t wh at h e h ad
,

tra nsl at e d b a dly .

’
2

La t e r in t he s a m e part of his work Ba con a dds to this

ac c ount the f ollowing

Knowing that b is ( St J e rom e s ) first tr anslation ( from .

’

th e H e br e w) was not s uffic ie nt ly e x ac t wishing to s e t f orth ,

t he truth an d to s a tis fy t he d esir e s o f stud e nts h e r e solve d ,

Op M i n e d B re w e r p 3 35
. .
, . I b i d p 336 , . .
2
.
, . .

1 68
9
98 R OG E R BA CON

to l e ave anoth e r tr ansl ation in privat e writings This h e .

could do so as n ot to s c andaliz e t he faith ful sinc e this ,

s e c ond e dition h as n e ve r b e e n us e d by t h e pe o pl e or by t he
Chur c h .At all tim es inde e d v e ry fe w h av e us e d t h e
, ,

Origin al writings O f St J e rom e on t h e Bibl e

. For inst anc e .
,

Rab anus ( Maurus ) amd Ca ssiodorus two m ost l e a rn e d me n , ,

h a ve de c l ar e d th at th e y c ould not find all h is works Rab anus .

s ays this e x pr e ssly in his comm e nt ary o m J e r e mi as .

To nforc e his c onclusion th at th e only ve rsion ado pt e d by

e

t h e La tin Church is th at whi c h St J e rom e m a d e und e r t h e .

authority o f Po pe St Dam asus Rog e r Ba con a dds this

.
,

re fle c t i o m

So gr e at a work could not h ave b e e n ac com plish e d e ith er

by th e do c tors o f P a ris or by any oth e r pe rson withou t
t h e a uthority o f t h e Holy Se e It c ould no t h a v e b e e n a nd
.

o ught not h a v e b e e n don e without this a uthoriz a tion : it

would h ave b e e n im pro pe r Can it b e s aid now th at t hi s
.

work h as b e e n c on c lud e d with this a uthoriz ation e ith e r by t h e

P aris do c tors or by oth e rs or by som e sove r e ign Ponti ff ?
But th e r e is n o do c um e nt mo R e gist e r o f a ny Po p e no
, ,

chronic l e or history whi c h s ays this We e x pe c t thi s in .

m att e rs o f sm all mom e nt : an d the r e for e with gr e at e r

r e ason must look for it in so gr a v e a busin e ss which s e rve s ,

f or t h e f ound ation o f all e ccl e si asti c al dis c i plin e

’ 2
.

It is unn e c e ss ary to e x amine mor e fully t h e conn e xion

Of t he gre a t Fr an c is c a n do c tor Rog e r B ac on with t h e , ,

r e vision o f t h e V ulg at e He shows in his works th at h e fully

.

ä n d e ntir e ly r ealiz e s t h e im p ort a nc e o f t h e c riti c al e x a min a

tio m h e a dvo c at es and h e l ays down t he tru e princ i pl e s on
,

whi c h any c riti c al corr e ction must p roc ee d His pro pos al .

t o Po pe Cl e m e nt I V was to app oint a commission o f c a abl e

p
me n wi th t h e a vow e d obj e c t o f r e storing t h e t e xt o f St .

e rom e Th e me th odé h e sugg e sts are t h e s c i e ntific m e thods

.

e m ploy e d to d a
y in t h e p rodu c tion o f a c riti c al t e xt The
-
.

o ld e st m a nus c ri ts w e r e to b e sought fo r e x a min e d w e igh e d

p , , ,

a nd com p ar e d and t h e e vid e n c e o f t h e b e st and old e st c odi c e s

,

f or any r e a ding was to b e t ak e n as a g ainst t h e l e ss worthy

“
Op M i n e d B e w e p 344
. . r r, . Ib i d p 34 2
:
2
.
, . .
 RO GE R B A CON AND P HIL OL OG Y

BY S A H I RS CH
. .

R OGER BACON live d fro mt h e ve ry c omm e nc e m e nt o f

his c ar ee r i m a circ l e whi c h was cal c ul at e d to d e v elo p thos e
t e nd e n c i e s for r e s e ar c h whi c h we re inn at e in him Rob e rt .

Gross e t e st e was during t h e b e ginning Of th e thirt e e nth

c e ntury t h e c h am p ion o f l e a rning His perse ve ramc e was .

indomit abl e his a tt ainm e nts in s c i e n c e c onside r a bl e for

,

t h e tim e in whi c h h e liv e d a n d his e nd e avours to promot e ,

t h e st u dy o f t h e a n c i e nt l a ngu ag e s indu ce d him to i mv i t e

numb e rs o f Gr e e k s c hol ars into E ngl and for t he pur pos e o f
initi ating hims e l f and his followe rs into t he myst e ri es o f
cl assi c al l e a rning H e took paims to c oll e c t a s m any books as
.

c o ul d b e l a id hold o f in c luding tr e a tis e s on Gr e e k gr a mm ar

,
.

Und e r Gross e t e st e s dire c tion Ni c h olaus Gr ae c us t rans

’

l a t e d t h e Te st a m e nts o f t h e Twe lve P atri ar c hs from a

m anus c rip t whi c h h a d l at e ly b e e n brought from Ath e ns by
his a r c hde ac on John o f Basingstok e
,
.

Ni c h olaus must h av e b e e n o ne o f thos e veri Graeci ,

‘

s e ve r al o f whom live d in we st e rn Euro p e e ve n b e for e Gross e

t est e o ne o f th e ve ry fe w who we re abl e to im part a c orr e c t
knowl e dg e o f gr a mm a r ? He b e c am e an inm at e o f Gross e
t e st e s hous e hold
’
.

John o f B asingstok e was an e x c e ll e nt Gr e e k amd Latin

s c hol a r . In Ath e ns h e b e ca m e c ogniz a nt o f many things
t h e e x ist e n c e o f whi c h was unknown to t h e La t i ns He s ays .

th at although h e h ad studi e d for a long tim e at P a ris h e

, ,

h ad d e riv e d his r e al knowl e dg e from t h e tuition o f t h e

C omp S tud P hi l v i 4 34 ( B e w e ) G ree k G a mma p 3 1
. . . , . r r r r . .

2
Opu T rti u m x 34 ( B e w e )
s e , . r r .
10 2 R OG ER B A CON

l e arne d Const antina who was all e g e d to h ave b ee n t he ,

d aught e r o f t he Archbisho p o f Athe ns He tr ansl at e d a .

‘

Gre e k gr amm ar whi c h he c alle d the Gr e e k Don atus ? ,

Bac on must also h av e r e c e iv e d a c onsid e r a bl e stimul us

towards th e study o f t he a n c i e nt l angu ag e s from t he ve t e r an
s c hol ar his olde r c ont e m por ary whos e n am e is unk nown to
,

us and who is d e sign at e d by him by suc h a t e rm as hama

,

s api enti ssi mus Bac on d e cl ar e s th at h e was a consumm at e

.

Gr ee k and H e br e w schol ar who had for ove r thirty ye ars

or as Bacon s ays e ls e whe re for n e arly orty ye ars brought
,
f —
,

his linguistic knowl e dge to he ar u p on t he c orr e c tion o f t he

Vul g at e and the e x position o f its lit e r a l m e a ning ; th at h e
kne w Lat i n gra mm ar thoroughly acc ording to Pris c i an and ,

Gre ek amd H e br e w s uffici e ntly we ll to unde rst a nd t he

p rin c i pl e s a n d m e thod o f c orr e cting an d t h e wa y to j usti f y ,

his c orre c tions Com par e d to him all oth e rs we re but.

idiots .
3

The int e r c ours e W ith t he c ircl e of stud e nts who we r e

g athe re d round Gross e t e st e and his ac quai mt amce with su c h ,

men as Edmund Rich and his r e p ut e d p u pils Ad a m Marsh , ,

Thom as Wall e nsis and oth e rs c a nnot but h a ve im pa rt e d , ,

a p owe r ful im pul s e to a mi nd p r e dis p os e d by n atur e to

imm e rs e its e l f in t he d e pths o f philologic al r e s e a r c h .

See h o , we v e r , Si r E Sa n d y s A H i s tory
.
, o f Cl a ss i ca l S chol a rs hi p ,
1 .
4 13 .

2
An o h e r t w o rk mm e n c e s Te mpl u m D omi n i
of h is wh i c h
in co ,

quo p a r ti cul a e s e n ten ti arum p er d i s ti n cti on e s di l uci d a n tur (M a tt h e w

o f P a r i s Chr on M aj e d L ua rd v 2 8 4
, . may h a v e b e e n a w o rk
.
, .
, .

o n S y n t a x b ut I r a t h e r b e li e v e t h a t i t wa s a c o mm e n t a r
, y 0 11 P e t e r
L o mb a rd s S e n te n ces Cf B a c o n s G re e k Gra mma r &c
’ ’
. I n t ro d uc
.
, .
,

tion , p l v ii i . x .

Op us T e r ti u m, ( B r e w e r) Mr A G L i tt l e h as
5
xxv . 88 , 89 , 94 . . . .

communi c a t e d t o me h i s d o ub t s a s t o D e n i fle s i d e mt ifi c a t i o m o f
’

hama s ap i e n ti ss i mus wi t h W i ll i a m d e l a M a r e ,
th a t t h e
on t h e g r o un d
la tt e r wa s t oo y oung . Th e s e d o ub t s a r e o f c o msi d e ra b l e f o r c e i m v i e w
o f t hi s p ass ag e multum
‘
E t a dhu c a li qu i s e n e s
per du ra nt qui s ci u n t

u t hama s ap i e n ti ss i mu s , &c . Th e fi g ur e s 30 y e a rs , 4 o y ea rs , i n B a c o n
_
’
s

w ri t i ngs must n ot be ta k e n t o o li t e rally .

 10 4 R OG E R BA CO N

t he l att e r in his s pe c ul ations u p on th e nat ure o f l angu ag e ,

in his insight into t he struc ture o f t h e s e ve r al tongu e s that

form e d t h e subj ec t o f his r e s e a r c h e s a nd his ac qu aint a n c e ,

wi th th e ir lit e r a tur e s in so far as th e y we r e acc e ssibl e to

,

him .

All su c h dis c i plin e s as are in mod e r n tim e s c om pre h e nd e d

, ,

in t h e t e rm philology we re t e r me d by B ac on gra m m ar
E ve n su c h to p i c s as t h e inv e stig ation o f t h e origin o f s pe e c h
a re d e c l a r e d by him to b e long sol e ly a nd e x c lusiv e ly to t h e

s c i e n c e o f gr a mm a r
‘
.

Ba c on holds th at a syst e m ati c inve stig ation into th e

2

t h e or y o f signs was indis p e ns abl e to t h e knowl e dg e o f t h e

c om p osition o f l a ngu ag e s H e voi ce s his u su al c o m pl aint
.

th a t this p art o f gr am m ar h a d not b e e n tou c he d u p on by

t h e Latins who did not e v e n p oss e ss a n y tr a nsl a tions o f
,

mor e an c i e nt works on th e subj e c t This was t h e mor e .

sur prising s e e ing th at it was o f t h e utmost util ity in t h e

,

study o f all s p e c ul ative truths o f philoso phy amd th e ology .

I n r e f e r e n c e to t h e th e ory o f sign s B a c on d e c l a r e s th a t
his own inve stig ations h ad l e d him to t h e s am e c on c lusions
whi c h his subs e qu e nt st u di e s show e d h i m to h a ve b e e n
a r riv e d a t by Augustin e A sign m a y b e e ith e r n atur al or
.

im p os e d by t h e mind Sigms im p os e d by t h e mind e ith e r

.

signi fy n atur ally or a re im p os e d a t pl e asur e an d vol u nt arily

, .

Th e l a tt e r is th e c as e in hu m a n l a ngu ag e : wo r ds a re
im p os e d by t h e mi nd Th e ir s ignifi c at i o n is arbitr ary an d
.
,

a w ord s i g ni fi e s nothing b e f or e i rn p os i t i o n A word can .

b e im p os e d u p on its e l f a n d thus b e c o m e signifi c a nt e g

, , . .

whit e m ay b e us e d in t h e s e ns e o f t h e word whit e or in

t h e s e ns e o f a whit e thing Wh e n a word is a p pli e d to .

a thing outsid e t h e m i nd it s ignifi e s t h e thing its e l f and

,

nothing e ls e (i e not t h e s pe c i e s o f t h e thing in th e soul )

. . .

Opus T e rti u m , xx v ii . 10 1, 10 2 ( B r e we r ) .

2
Ib i d 10 0 ; C omp . S tu d . T heol .
, pp .
38 ti Mr . R ash d all
’
s

Summa ry i n h i s I n t ro d u c t i o n , pp . 6 ff .
 PH ILOLO GY 05

A n am e im pos e d u pon a thing o utsid e t he mind c an at th e

s am e tim e signi fy othe r things outsid e t he mind whi c h c an
the n b e s aid to b e c o int e ll e ct e d or c onnot e d-
Th e
n am e o f an aggr eg at e or c on c r e t e thing s ignifi e s both t h e
form al c a us e o f t h e a ggr e g a tion ( i e t h e m e a ning o f t h e . .

con c r e t e form ) and the c onstitu e nt e l e m e nts o f t h e aggre g a

tion B ut a distin c tion must b e m a d e Th e n a m e s igni fie s
. .

t h e a ggr e g a t e p rim a rily a n d p r in c i p ally a n d t h e f o r m a n d ,

m att e r s e c ond arily or m e di at e ly It s ignifi e s t h e aggre .

g a t e by i m position a nd t h e m a tt e r and form n at ur ally

,
.

A word c annot signi fy anything c ommon to an c ms and

a nom e m s -
A word im p os e d u pon a thing c an los e its
s ig n i fi c a n c e .

In oming to th es e c onc lusions on que stions o f th e philo

c

so phy o f l angu ag e s Bac on h as brok e n no ne w grou n d He .

dis c uss e s t h e o pinions o f thos e who pr e c e d e d him but in ,

doing so h e shows hims e l f as e ve rywhe r e e ls e t h e k e e n

, ,

c riti c o f su c h s e c ul a tions through whi c h h e c a r e fully st e e rs

p ,

his own c ours e H e we ighs and partly c ontrove rts t h e

.
, ,

r e sults arriv e d at by Ar istotl e Bo e thius Augustin e amd , , ,

Ave rro e s He c h astis e s in his us ual m a nn e r Ri c h ard o f

.
, ,

Cornw all whom h e ca lls f a mas i ss i mus a pud s tulta m multi tu

,

di ne m a s t h e worst and most stu p id a u thor o f v a rious

e rron e ous notions

‘
.

Th e qu e stion o f t h e origin o f s p e e c h a lso a git a t e d B ac on s

’

m i nd . I t is n e e dl e ss to s a y th a t h e did n o t a ppro ac h t h e
qu e stion fr om t h e st a nd p oint o f a nthro p ology and e volution
in th e way mod e r n s c i e n c e h as tri e d to obt a in som e u nd e r
st a nding a bo u t it a n d thus far with but s c a nty su c c e ss
, , ,
.

But within t h e c om p ass a md li m it a tions into whi c h his ag e

a nd t h e st a t e o f knowl e dg e a c c e s s ibl e to h i m c o n fi n e d h i m ,

h e m e dit a t e d on t h e origin o f l a ngu a g e s on t h e p ri m itiv e ,

l anguag e on t h e l angu age s p ok e n by Ad am and t he way

, ,

t h e l a tt e r f ound n a m e s fo r t h e things He p onde rs on wh a t .

Camp S tu d T heol
. . .
, p .
52 .
106 R OG E R B A CON

would h appe n i f c hildr e n we r e to grow up in a d es e rt

wh e th e r the y would ha ve int e r c ours e by s pe e c h a nd how ,

the y would give e x pr e ssion to the ir mutu al fe e lings whe n

m e e ting und e r suc h c irc u mst a nc e s He was c onvin c e d th at .
‘

this part o f gr amm ar was indis pe ns abl e to the ology ’

p hiloso p hy ,a n d to a ll wisdom .

He was not hims e l f a wa r e it s e e ms th at his philologic al , ,

instin c ts wo uld h ave le d him to t he c onsid e r ation o f such

to pi c s on the ir own m e rit He m e asur e d all m att e rs o f .

r e s e ar c h tha t o ffe r by t h e us e s to whi c h th e y c ould b e put

in t h e s e rvi c e o f philoso phy a nd the ology Lik e so m any .

oth e r s c hol a rs o f th at age and o f subs e qu e nt ag e s h e , ,

ac knowl e dg e d only utilit a ri a n motiv e s o f th a t kind Th e y .

we r e c e rt a inly p ow e r ful in c e ntive s to dir e c t him to t h e study

o f l a ngu a g e s .Wh e the r t h e first a uthors o f l angu ag e s h ad
inve nt e d th e m or whe th e r t h e dive rsity o f tongu e s was
t h e work O f God at t h e division o f l a ngu ag e s a t t h e e r e ction
,

o f t h e tow e r o f B a b e l a ft e r t h e Flood or t h e r e sult o f

dive rsity o f lo c al ity t h e v ari e ty e xist e d a nd hi s mind ,

was e x e rcis e d by t h e d e sir e o f inquiring into thos e l a ngu ag e s

in whi c h w e r e c ou c h e d t h e do c um e nts from whi ch th e ology
am d philoso phy a nd all wisdom w e r e d e riv e d .

Of th e s e m otiv e s t h e th e ologi c a l o c c u pi e d to B a c on t h e
,

first a nd for e most r a nk At t h e c on c lusion o f his s pe c ul a

.

Op us Te rti u m , xxv i i . 10 1 ( B re we r )
M r L i tt l e d r e w m y a tt e n . .

t i o n t o a n o ti c e i n t h e Ch ro ni c l e s o f t h e F ran c i s c a n f ri a r Sa li mb e u e , ,

i m r e g a r d t o e x p e r i m e n t s w i t h b a b i e s u n d e rt a k e n b t h e E m e r o r
y , p
F r e d e ri c k I I
. H e f o r b a d e t h e f o s t e r-m o t h e r s a md n ur s e s o f t h es e
c hi l d r e n wh e n f e e d i n
, g o r b a t hi n g t h e m t o p r a tt l e o r t a l k t o t h e m , .

Th u s h e th o ugh t h e wo uld b e a b l e t o fi n d o ut wh e th e r t h e c hi ld re n ,

wh e n b e c o mi ng o l d e w o uld t a lk H e b r e w t h a t b e i ng t h e firs t
r,

l a ng ua g e o r G r e e k o r L a t i n o r A a b i c o r t h e l a n ua e o f t h e i r
r
, ,
g g ,

p a re n t s
. B ut t h e c hi l d r e n a l l d i e d n o t b e in g a b l e t o li v e wi t h ou t
,

c l app i n g o f h a n d s o r g e s t u re s
, o r l ull a b i e s M r L i tt l e thi n k s i t
, . .

lik e l y t h a t B a c o n m a y h a v e h ea rd o f t h e s e e x e ri m e n t s
p .

Opu s T e rti u m xx v i i i 1 0 2 ( B e w e r )
’

, . r .

5
I b i d xxx v i i 1 2 0 ( B re w e r ) Opus M af u s 1 i v 1 8 B ri d es
.
3 ( g ) , . . .
 10 8 R OG E R BA CON

vi c tory won by t he c o c k If thus n atur e ob e ys t he c ogit a

.

tions o f t he s e nsitive soul how mu c h mor e will it ob e y thos e

,

o f t h e int e ll e c t u a l so ul o f thos e who a re only o n e d e gr e e

b e low t h e a ng e ls ! Man s outward a ppe a r an c e amd voi c e
’

va ry as t h e g re at e r or l e ss e r s a n c tity o f t h e so ul A c o n .

s i d e ra b l e in c r e a s e in t h e p ow e r o f e ith e r t h e good or t h e b a d
s oul m o d ifi e s t h e voi c e a n d t h e a i r a ffe c t e d by t h e l a tt e r .

Th e a ir thus f or m ul at e d by t h e voi c e a nd h aving r e ce iv e d ,

a strong im p e tus f rom t h e r a tion a l soul c a n b e c h a ng e d ,

a c c ordingly a n d c h a ng e
,
in its turn t h e things it c ont ai ns
, , ,

b e th e y a g e nts 0 1 p a ti e nts I t is t h e s a m e with t h e body

. .

B ody a n d soul f or m ing a unit t h e body n a tur a lly ob e ys t h e ,

c ogi t a tio n s o f t h e soul th e y modi fy its o ut e r a ppe a r a n c e .

I t a g a in a ffe c ts a n d is affe c t e d by t h e a i r whi c h was its e l f

, ,

a ffe c t e d by t h e voi c e A fur th e r c h ang e is d ue to st e ll ar

.

i n flu e n c e s .Wh e n e ve r th e voi c e is p rodu c e d t h e c h ang e ,

wrought by it in t h e a ir is c o m pli c at e d by t h e e ffe c t o f t h e

c onst e ll a tions a n d this a g a in a c ts u on t h e things c ont a in e d
, p
in t h e a ir E ve rythi n g d e pe nds th e r e fo r e u p on f our
.
, ,

i n flue n c e s t h e voi c e f o r m ul a ting t h e a i r t h e good or e vil ,

c ondition o f t h e r a t ion a l s o u l t h e body a n d t h e st ars , ,

.

Wh e n c ogi t a ting int e n ding wishi ng an d strongly ho p ing

, , ,

f or a n y c h ang e a f a vour a bl e c ondition o f t h e h e a v e nly

,

bodi e s m ust b e c hos e n in c onj unc tion with t h e oth e r i n

flue mc e s ; in t h e s a m e way as a skil ful p hysi c i a n s e l e c ts
suit a bl e st e ll ar c onditions wh e n d e sirous o f wo rkin g a e ure .

I t was as Avi c e n n a s a ys in this way th a t t h e p r o p h e ts a nd

, ,

s a g e s O f old c h an g e d t h e m a tt e r o f t h e world
( ma teri am
mu ndi ) a n d pr od u c e d r a in or dro ught or oth e r a tmos p h e ri c
, , ,

c h an g e s by t h e
p ow e r o f words I n this c onsists t h e ar t o f .

a llu r ing or r e e lling m e n a n d b e a sts s n k s n d d gons

p a e a r a , .

This is t h e n at ur e o f e ve ry s p e ll a n d n o t t h e m e r e u tt e ra n c e ,

o f a word ; t h e l a tt e r will h av e no e ffe c t un l e ss t h e d e vil

int e r fe re s Th e oth e r f or c e s c ombin e d with t h e fi v e e o m
.

d i t i o n s o f t h e soul strong thought v e h e m e nt wish firm

—
, ,

wil l a nd e ithe r goodn e ss or b adn e ss ar e indis p e ns abl e

,
—
.

Th e o r igin o f so n gs in c a nt a tions a nd v a r ious mod e s o f

, ,

wr iting m ust b e tr ac e d to th e s e influe nc e s .

’

This ombin ation o f t h e p owe r o f words in g e n e r al and

c ,

t h e s p iritu al s e ns e und e rlying t h e wo r ds o f t h e B ibl e in

p a rti c ul a r m a d e it im p e r a tiv e f or B ac on to d e vot e hims el f

,

to t h e st udy o f H ebr e w a md Gr e e k so as to b e abl e to find ,

O pu T ti u m xx v i 9 5 ff ( B e w )
s er , . . r er .
 PH ILOLOG Y 6 9

hidde n truths whi c h would e lud e t he e ye s o f thos e who

kne w the s e writings o nly from transl ations It was o nl y .

by a knowl e dg e o f He br e w and Gr e e k th at it was p ossibl e

to gr as p t he s piritu al m e aning o f t he t e xt The t e xt
was to B ac on wh a t it was to his pr e d e c e ssors a nd c ont e m
p ari es a nd wh a t it is to a gr e a t m a ny p e o pl e a t t h e p r e s e nt
o r ,

d ay— t h e L at in tr a nsl a tion It would b e p ossibl e h e holds .

, ,

to study th e lit e ra l m e a ning o f t he t e xt but this c ould b e

o f ve ry littl e a v a il fo r t h e knowl e dg e o f t h e s iritu al s e ns e
p .

‘
Su ppos e e ve n the t e xt to b e c orr e c t to t he l e tt e r ,

innum e r abl e fals e a nd doubt ful motions still r e m a in on

a c c ount o f t h e ignor a n c e o f t h e l a ngu ag e s from whi c h t h e
transl ations we r e m ad e But we th e ologi a ns do not know .

e ve n t h e a l ph ab e ts Cons e qu e ntly we und e rst a nd n e ith e r

.
,

t he t e xt nor t h e e x p ositions o f t h e s a ints

’
.

Bac on su pp ort e d his st a nd p oint with num e r a bl e e x a m pl e s .

It was im p ossibl e for a ny o ne ignor a nt o f th e num e ri c a l va lue

o f t h e Gr e e k a nd H e br e w l e tt e rs to und e rst a nd t h e int e r pr e t a

tions give n by t he s aints as fo r inst anc e B e d e s gloss r e g ard

, , ,
’

ing t h e n am e s o f t h e Be ast in t he A p o calyps e t h e num e ric al ,

va lu e o f t he l e tt e rs o f e a c h amounting to 6 6 6 or anothe r
pass ag e o f t h e B ibl e wh e r e t h e num e ri ca l v a lue both o f t he
Gre e k and the He bre w l e tt e rs c oin c id e d in r e ve aling b e auti ful
myst e ri e s ?
Anothe r p owe r ful motive to study l angu ag e s was Bac on s ’

disgust a t the i nsuffic i e mc y o f t he e xisting transl ations He .

s e ts forth th at philoso phy r e ligion amd s c i e nc e we re l a id , ,

d own in do c um e nts Whi c h w e r e writt e n in l a ngu ag e s th a t h ad

f all e n out o f t h e k en o f t h e m a j ority o f s c hol ars o f t h e d ay .

Of th e a n c i e nt l a nguag e s th e r e was only o ne whi c h h ad ,

survive d as t he unive rs a l ve hi c l e o f thought amd study i m

southe rn amd we st e rn Euro pe Latin c ould in Bac on s tim e .
’

Opus M i n us p 34 9 f
, . . Cf i b i d
. .
, p .
357 Opu s M ajus , I. ii i . 8 1

( B ri d g e s ) .

2
Camp S tud . . P hi l vi .
‘

4 37 ( B re w e r ) G re ek G ra mmar , p . 1 94 f
a nd In t ro d uc ti on , p l . xx v .
1 10 R OG E R B A CON

Still rightly b e c all e d a living l angu ag e B ut Bacon c om .

p l a in e d th a t t h e Lat i n world o f pri e sts a nd stud e nts th e ,

Lat i ni t as h ad lost t h e knowl e dg e o f thos e v e ry l angu ag e s

th at form e d t he b asis u pon whi c h e verything th at should
int e r e st the m was r e are d This would not h ave b e e n so b ad .

i f t h e La tins w e r e p oss e ss e d o f origin al and ind e pe nd e nt

works on all bra nch e s o f l e arning B ut all wisdom ha d b ee n .

r e veal e d by God to mat ioms oth e r th an Lat in Philoso phy .

was d e liv e r e d o m four distin c t o c c asions I t was d e live r e d .

for t h e first tim e in H e br e w c om pl e t e i m all its d e t a ils by , ,

Ad am and No ah th e s e c ond tim e by Solomon but ,

A ristotl e a nd Avi c e nn a who m ark t h e oth e r two e p o c hs in

,

t h e history o f philoso phy w e r e only abl e to d e liv e r it i nc o m

,

p l e t e l,y b e c a us e th e y w e r e h e ath e ns Wisdom w as d e live r e d .

by th e s e only and by no ne e ls e ; it c e rt ainly h ad not origin at e d

with t he La tins .
‘

Th e La tins n e v e r o r igin at e d a singl e t e xt e ith e r i m ,

th e ology or philoso phy All t e xts we r e c om pos e d in th e.

first a n d s e c ond inst an ce in H e br e w in t he third in Gr e e k , ,

a n d in t h e f ourth i m Ar a bi c Wat e rs dr awn from the .

fount a ins w e r e sw e e t e r th a n thos e t ak e n from turbid

rivul e ts and wine was pur e r and mor e whol e som e whe n k e p t
,

i n t h e origin al c a sk th a n wh e n p oure d from v e ss e l to v e ss e l .

I f th e r e fo re t h e Latins wish e d to d r ink t h e p ur e and whol e

, ,

som e liquor from th e fount o f wisdom th e y must turn th eir ,

a tt e ntion to t h e H e br e w Gre e k a nd Ar abi c l angu age s

, ,
.

I t wa s im p ossibl e to r e c ogniz e t h e pro p e r f orm and b e a uty

and wisdo m in all th e ir dignity e x c e p t in t h e l a ngu ag e s in
whi c h th e y we r e origin ally l aid down Oh how d e li c ious .
,

is t h e t ast e o f wisdom to thos e who dr aw from th e we ll o f

wisdom in its prim ary fulln ess amd purity ! All othe rs are
lik e thos e stri c k e n with p ar alysis who c o ul d not j udg e o f ,

t h e sw e e tn e ss o f f ood like thos e born d e af who are unabl e ,

to e nj oy t h e h armony o f sound .

Tr ansl ations c a nnot p ossibly r e pl ac e t h e Origin al docu

m e nts .

Opu s T ti um x 3 ( B w )
er , . 2 re er .

C mp S tud P hi l v i i i 4 6 5 Cf Opus M aj us P art ii i f o B a co n s

’
o . .
, . . r
, ,

o p i ni o ns o n t h se
p o i nt s
e .
112 R O G ER B A CON

we re poss e ss e d by ve ry few ind e e d All othe rs we r e fr auds . .

Rob e rt Gross e t e st e b e long e d to t h e form e r c l ass ; but he

o nl y ac quir e d t h e c a pac ity o f tr a nsl ating wh e n he was a n old
m an a n d t h e Gr e e ks whom h e h a d g a th e r e d a r o und him

h ad tr a nsl a t e d ve r y littl e Th e tr a nsl a tions furn ish e d by .

G e rard o f Cr e mon a Mi c h ae l Se a t Al fr e d t he Englishm an

, , ,

H e rm ann t he G e r m an and Willi am t h e Fl e ming ( Wil li am ,

of Mo e rb e cke ) we r e sorry pe r form a n c e s Th e B isho p .

H e rm ann t he G erm an h ad told Bac on th at h e did not ve n

ture to tr ansl a t e books on log i e from t h e Ar abic b e c a us e ,

h e kn e w no l o g i e No t knowing l o g i e h e c ould h a ve n o
.
,

l e arning But h e did not e ve n know mu c h Ar abi c and he

.
,

was r a th e r a n a ssist a nt o f tr a nsl ators th a n a tr a nsl a tor

hims e l f Mic h ae l S c ot palm e d o ff as his own tr ansl a tions
.
,

whi c h we r e fo r t h e most part t h e work o f a J e w Andr e w ,

.

Aristotl e whos e works form e d t he found ation o f all l e a rning

, ,

h a d su ffe r e d mos t a t t h e h a nds o f th e s e tr a nsl a tors Th e ir .

v e rsions o f his logi e n a tur a l ph iloso phy a nd m ath e m ati c s

, ,

we r e su c h th at no m ort al c ould m ak e h e a d or t a il o f th e m .

I n c ons e qu e n c e t h e s c hol ars squ abbl e a mong th e ms e lv e s as

,

to wh at Aristotl e m e a nt It would h a ve b e e n mu c h b e tt e r .

i f Aristotl e h a d not b e e n tr a nsl at e d at a ll S c hol ars l abour e d .

h ard to und e rst and him an d t h e mo r e th e y l abour e d t he ,

l e ss th e y kn e w For this r e ason Gross e t e st e n e gl e c t e d t h e

.

works O f Aristotl e and d e alt with s e ve r al to pi c s guid e d o nl y

, ,

by his own e x pe ri e n ce and r e s earc h and c e rt a inly with ,

‘

gr e at e r su cc e ss t han i f he h ad m ad e us e o f thos e p e rve rs e

tra nsl ations If B ac on s ays he c o uld h ave his way h e
.
, , ,

woul d h ave all tra nsl ations from Aristotle burn e d It is .

she e r loss o f tim e to study the m and it l e ads only to ,

innum e r abl e e rrors .

Ignor a n c e o f Gr e e k a nd H e br e w tog e th e r with som e othe r ,

c a us e s w e r e r e s onsibl e fo r t h e c orru tion o f t he t e xt o f t he

, p p

B ut s ee Si r E . Sand ys , A H i story o f Class i cal S chola rs hi p ,

i .
5 53 .
 PH ILOLOGY 113

V ulg at e Th e P a ris t e xt was t he worst o f all Eve rybody

. .
,

howe ve r illit e rat e som e o f th e m may b e a nd e ve n m arri e d ,

p e o pl e pr e sum e d to int e r fe r e with t h e t e xt Th e y kn e w .

no gr amm ar th e y did not c ons ul t Pris c i a n amd did not

, ,

know th at on m any p oints J e rom e was b e tt e r inform e d e ve n

, ,

th a n he Ne ve rth el e ss J e rom e s tr ansl ation did not always

.
,
’

r e produ c e t h e tru e s e ns e o f th e origin als P e o pl e inve igh e d .

a g a inst him b e c a us e h e h ad d a r e d to d e vi a t e f rom t h e

S e ptu agint and he was t e rm e d a fals i fi e r a nd c orru pt e r

,

o f t h e S c ri p tur e s H e th e r e fore a d ap t e d hims e l f to t h e

.

p r e vious v e rsions som e tim e s to th a t o f Aqu i l a

,
som e tim e s ,

to that o f Symm ac hus but c hi efly to th e S ep tu agint , ,

although h e kn e w th a t th e s e tr a nsl a tions did not a lwa ys

a gr e e with t h e origin a ls J e ro m e mor e ov e r a dmitt e d to

.
, ,

h ave o c c asion ally e rr e d from undue h ast e .

‘

All the s e r e asons c ombin e d c a us e d Rog e r B ac on to urg e

u pon his c ont e m p or ari e s t h e study o f t h e a nc i e nt l a ngu ag e s .

But h e did not sto p at e xhort a tions H e thr e w hims e l f .

into this p ursuit with t he s am e e n e rgy whi c h c h ar a c t e rize d

his e fforts in t h e oth e r fi e lds o f l e arni ng It was e s pe c i ally .

t h e thr e e l a ngu ag e s— Ar abi c Gr e e k an d H e br e w t h e m a st e ry , , ,

o f whi c h h e c onsid e r e d to b e a c ond i ti o s i n e qua n on f or all

ind e pe nd e nt r e s e ar c h in the ology philoso phy amd s c i e nc e , ,

.

B ut B a con was a w a r e th a t no workm a n c a n e ff ec t a ny

thing without pro pe r tools whi c h we re in this c as e books ,

a nd t e ac h e rs H e s a ys th a t it was n e c e ss ary fo r t h e La tins

.

to poss e ss a short and us e ful tr e a tis e on t h e l angu ag e s othe r

th an Latin p art i c ul arly on Gr e e k H e br e w a md Ar a bic ; not
, , ,

o nl y b e ca us e all knowl e dg e th e y p oss e ss e d was borrowe d

from books writt e n in th e s e idioms but b e c a us e th e ir own ,

l angu ag e ( Latin ) was b as e d u pon th e m ?

F o r t h e f o re g o i n g s k e t c h o f B a c o n s e s t i ma t e o n t r a n sla t i o n s
’

s e e Opu s M aj us I i i i 6 7 ff , . 1b i d i v 2 2 1 ( B ri d g e s ) ; Opu s M i n us
. .
,

p p 3 5 33 49 ;
. 2 , 0 — O p u s T e r ti u m x 35 x v 55 xx ii i —
7 5 8 x xv
, .
, .
, .
, .

8 9 —9 5 Comp S tu d P hi l
. . v ii i 4 6 5 ff
. .

2
Opus Te rti um, x .
34 , xx v . 8 8 ( B re w e r) .

1 68 9 I
1 14 R OG E R B A CON

A tr e atis e o f th at kind should only c ont a in t he e l e m e nts

o f gr a mm a r It wo ul d b e inj urious to a tt e m p t too mu c h
.

a t first . Th e stud e nt sho ul d not e nd e a vour to m a st e r t h e

l e a rn e d l angu ag e s c om pl e t e ly so as to know th e m in t h e ,

s a m e way as h e kn e w an d s p ok e his moth e r tongu e as h e

s p ok e English Fre nc h and Latin NO1 was it n e c ess ary
, ,
.

f o r t h e stud e nt to b e a bl e to tr a nsl a t e s c i e ntifi c books A .

thi r d a nd lowe r st and ar d was pr e fe r abl e a nd this c ould ,

e asily b e a tt a in e d u nd e r a pro p e r t e a c h e r and with t h e ,

h e l p o f good a nd c onc is e m a nu als But t he stud e nt must .

b e a bl e to r e a d Gr e e k a md H e br e w a nd know t h e a cc id e n c e ,

a c c ording to D on atus On ce this was ac q u ir e d a nd a p ro p e r

.
,

m e thod f ollowe d t h e c onstruing an d u nd e rst a nding o f t h e

,

words follow e asily Th e s e c ond d e gr e e th e c a p ac ity o f

.
,

tr ansl ating was m u c h mor e d iffic ul t a lthough no t so diffi e ul t

, ,

as p e o pl e im a gin e d B ut t h e first d e gr e e was v e ry d i fli c ul t

.

ind e e d : it i m pli e d t h e c ap ac ity o f s p e aking th e l an gu ag e

lik e th e ve rmac ular a n d o f using it for t e ac hing and pr e ac hing
,

a n d m aking s e e c h e s Th e a tt e m p t to ac q uir e all this wo ul d

p .

onl y frustr at e its obj e c t ; t h e stud e nt wo uld s oon d e s pair ,

a nd not e v e n r e ac h t h e thi r d d e gr e e .

I f a p e rson w e r e to a pply hims e l f from his youth for

thirty y e ars h e might att a in all thr e e d e g r e e s or at l e ast
, , , ,

t h e two low e r d e gr e e s It is t h e first d e g r e e th a t o ffe rs all

.

t h e d iffic ul t y as we who h a v e t r i e d it know f rom e x p e ri e n c e

’
.
,

Th e p robl e m o f fi ndi ng c om pe t e nt t e ac h e rs o f t h e l e arn e d

l a ngu ag e s although not a d ifii c ult o n e to Ba c on in o n e s e ns e
, ,

w as far from e asy in a noth e r B ac on s a ys th a t t h e b e st .

m e a ns was to l e arn Gr e e k fr om t h e Gr e e ks amd H e br e w ,

f rom t h e J e ws J e ws h e d e c l ar e d to b e e v e rywh e r e an d
.
,

th e ir l angu ag e was i n su bsta nce t h e s am e a s Ar abi c and

Ch ald a e a n Th e r e w e r e b e sid e s p e o pl e in P a ris in Fr a n c e
.
, , , ,

a n d e ls e wh e r e who kn e w s uffi e i e n t fo r t h e ur os e Gr e e k
p p .

O pus T e rti um, xx . 65 f . ( B r e w e r) ; Comp S tud P hi l

. . vi .
4 33
( B re we r) .
1 16 R OG E R B A CON

s ac r e d t e xt The stud e nt would howe ve r h a ve to submit

. , ,

to t h e pr e s c rib e d m e thod I n thr e e m or e d ays he would .

t e ac h s ufli c i e mt Gr e e k for r e a ding a nd unde rst anding e ve ry

thing whi c h pe rt ains to th e ology philoso phy and t he , ,

Latin l a ngu ag e Wh at e ve r our o pinion may b e as to the

.
‘

s uffi c i e nc y o f thr e e d a ys for t h e a tt a inm e nt o f e v e n t h e most

e l e m e nt a ry d e gr e e so mu c h is c e rt a in th a t B ac on hims e l f
,

act e d u pon his sugg e stion th at Gr amm a rs shoul d b e

writt e n .

Th e r e a re no tr a ce s i m Bac on s works to show th at h e

’

was int e r e st e d in t h e s pr e ad o f a gr a mm a ti ca l knowl e dg e o f

mod e rn l angu ag e s The r e c an h ardly b e any d oubt th a t h e
.

was a n a c c om plish e d English a n d Fr e n c h s c hol a r a nd his

r e m arks on t h e di al e c ts o f s e ve r al E uro pe an l angu ag e s and ,

the ir grou ping und e r distin c t moth e r l a ngu ag e s to whi c h

the y are r e l at e d s uffi c i e mtly prove th a t h e h ad dr awn the m
,

within t h e s c o pe o f his inve stig ations I t is tru e he a nim .

a dve rt s u p on t h e c omm e r c i a l a n d int e rn a tion a l a dva nt a g e s

whi c h t he c ommonwe alth Of th e Latins might d e rive from

t h e study o f l angu ag e s but this f r a gm e nt a ry noti ce s e e ms
,

a lso to r e fe r only to t h e g e n e r a l use whi c h c a n b e m a d e

o f t h e a n c i e nt l angu a g e s ? I n a noth e r p a ss a g e h e r e fe rs 5

to t h e Russi ans as s c hism ati c Chr isti a ns and s ays th at , ,

a lthough th e y f ollow t h e rit e s o f t h e Gr e e k Chur c h th e ir ,

l angu ag e is n ot Gr e e k b ut Sl avoni c H e also m ak es som e .

r e m arks r e g arding th e mod e o f writing in us e a mong t h e

Ta rt ars a nd t h e writing in p i c tur e s im vogu e with t h e
,

Chin e s e / Th e s e obs e rv a tions c ou p l e d with som e ill ustr a

‘
,

tions i m Norm an Fr e nc h and so me allusions to mod e rn ,

Gr e e k about whi c h mor e b elow are a ll t h e r e fe r e nc e s we

, ,

find in his works to t h e l a nguag e s s p ok e n in hi s t im e .

B ac on c onsid e r e d Lat i n his moth e r tongu e by t he sid e o f

Opu s Te r ti u m ,
xx . 65 ( B re we r ) .

Opus M f i ii 9 6 S up p l e m vol
5
a us , I . . . . 1 1 9— 1 2 0 ( B ri d g es ) .

Ib i d iv 36 0 Ibid
.
, . . .
37 4 .
 PH ILOLOGY 17

the l a ngu ag e o f t he c ountry in which h e was born Th e .

‘

La tin he e m ploys in all his writings is th a t o f t h e thirt ee nth

c e ntury a nd is c l e a r
, gr amm ati c ally c orre ct amd b e longs , ,

to t he b e st s pe c im e ns o f m e di ae val Latinity ? H e was

thoroughl y ac qu aint e d with a numb e r o f Rom an a uthors ,

o f whos e works h e m ak e s a m pl e us e fo r t h e ur os f illus

p p e o

t r at i ng som e rul e o f e tymology or p rosody ?

And although
h e c om pl a ins th a t t h e a dvi c e give n by B o e thius a nd Be d e
t o instruc t youths in t h e writings o f S e n e c a for t he tr a ining
o f th e ir mor a ls was n e gl e c t e d a nd th a t th e y w e r e t a ught ,

inst e ad t h e fa bl e s amd nons e ns e o f Ovid whi c h are so full ,

o f irr e ligion a n d immor a lity ye t he hims e l f did n o t h e si

t at e to use Ovidi an p hras e s a nd to cit e his v e rs e s B ac on s .
4 ’

p r o fi c i e mc y in La tin gr a mm a r will a g a in b e allud e d to ?

B ac on s int e ntion wa s to c om pos e gr a mm ati c al m a nu als

’

fo r t h e study o f Ar abi c Gr e e k H e br e w a nd Ch a ld a e a n ; , , ,

fo r a ft e r h a ving indi c a t e d t h e n e c e ssity fo r t h e La tins to

,

h a ve a s uffic i e nt knowl edg e o f t h e gr a mm ar o f th e s e l an

gu age s h e pr e fac e s his Gr e e k Gr a mm ar an d his gr a mm atic a l
,
5

C mp S tu d P h l v i 4 3 3 ( B e w ) S p ea ki n g o f G e k H b r w
a . . i . r er . r e , e e ,

A ra b i c Ch a l d a e a n h e p r o c e e d s N o n ta me n i n te ll i g o u t qu i l i be t
, and ,

s c i a i h as li ng u a s s i e ut m a tern a m i n qu a n a tus e s t, u t n os l oqu i mur

A ng li cu m Ga l li c u m e t L a ti n u m
, n e c u t s c i a mus ta n tum de h i s
,

l i ng ui s qui li be t fi a t i n terpre s , e t tr a nsf e rre p as s i i i n l i ng ua m

ut

ma te r n a m L a ti n a m s c i en ti a m d e ti ngu i s i l l i s .

2
R a sh d a ll The Un i ve rs i ti e s, o f the M i d dle A ges pp 5 9 5 —7 , . G ree k
Gra mma r , In t r o d uc t i o n , p . l xxi f .

5
Si r E Sa n d y s
.
, u t s up ra , p 57 3 . .

Op us T e r ti um , xv .
55 . Cf Si r J
. . E . Sa n d y s , u t s upra , p .
_ 57 4 .

I n t h e Opus Te rti u m t e s a v e rs e a s t a k e n fro m

, i . 12 , B a c o n qu o
O vi d s Tr i ti a b u t wh i c h i s t a t iu s S e B r e we r n 8 re a ll y f r o m S
’
s , . e , . .

5
A g a m ma t i c a l w o k o f c o n si d e r a b l e l e n g t h
r d e s c ib e d a s
r ,
r

R oger i B a con S u mma d G mma ti c a e x i st s i n m a n u sc r i p t i n P e t e e ra ,

r

h o u s e Ca m b i d g e a n d i n \V o r c s t r Ca t h e d ra l
,
r , Se e D r M R e e . . . .

J a m e s s Ca t al o g u e a md M A G Li tt l e s App e n di x t o M r Ra sh d all s
’
r . . .
’
.
’

e d i t i o n o f t h e C ompe n di u m S tu d i i The o l o i a e I c o ul d o n ly
g p 98 , . .

c ur s o ri l y e x a m i n t h e Ca mb ri d g e M S b ut i t r e q ui r e s a t h o r o ug h
e .
,

i n v e st i g a t i o n P e h a p s I m a y h a v e a n o p p o t u n i t y o f d e al i n g w i t h
. r r

i t o n a f ut u e o c c a s i o n r p 2 .
5
. .
1 18 R OG E R B A CON

tr e atis e s in t he Compendi u m S tudi i P hi losophi ae with t he ‘

r e m ark th a t h e de alt first with Gr e e k gr a mm ar b e c aus e it

was t h e e a si e st a nd mor e in a gr e e m e nt with Latin
,
This .

im plie s his int e ntion o f writing also an Ar abi c Gr amm ar .

Th e r e is no indi c a tion i n a ny o f B a c on s ac knowl e dg e d works

’

tha t h e h ad ac c om plish e d his d e sign NO1 c an we at all b e .

sur e t h at his pro fic i e nc y in A r abi c was gr e a t e nough H e .

s a ys th a t h e wrot e Gr e e k H e br e w amd Latin but not , , ,

Arabi c B ut as h e d e c l ar e s his int e ntion o f d e aling with

.

Ar abi c on t he p ro pe r o c c asion (laci s sui s)? we ma y r e st

a ssur e d th a t h e h a d a c quir e d so m e knowl e dg e o f th a t l a n

gu ag e also alb e it it a m ount e d pe rh a ps to no mor e th an wh at

,

h e c a ll e d t h e third d e gr e e ?
With Gr e e k it is a ltog e th e r di ffe r e nt H e r e we h a ve .

t angibl e proo fs o f B ac on s c los e a ppli c ation an d a m pl e d at a ’

by whi c h to e stim a t e t he st a nd a rd o f his knowl e dg e .

Le t us c onsid e r t he j udg e m e nt p ass e d by B a c on on his

p r e d e c e ssors Wh e n e v e r h e d e t e c ts fa ults in the ir works

.
,

a nd a ttribut e s the m to the ir i ns uffi c i e mt knowl e dg e o f

Gr e ek his r e m arks invari ably pro c e e d fr om his thorough
,

m ast e ry o f t h e subj e c t 0 11 suc h o c casions h e do e s not ass ail

.

t h e subj e c t o f his c riti c ism with kid glov e s ; h e shows

h i m t h e m a il e d fi st He n e v e r d e rid e s h e s c ourg e s
.
,
.

B a c on e nu m e r a t e s t he v a rious dir e c tions in whi c h t h e c o m

m o n c rowd o f La tin s c hol a rs w a nd e r e d a str a y I n t h e first .

pl a c e th e y took fo r La tin or Gr e e k 0 1 H e br e w or vi ce
, , , ,

vers a ,
words whi c h we r e nothing o f th e kind S ec ondly .
,

the y we re a t fa ult in the ir de rivations e tymologie s a nd , ,

int e r pre t ations Thirdly th e ir pronunc i ation and s pe lling

.
,

we r e fa ulty B ut it was only partly the ir fault Th e y we r e

. .

ix4 9 5 ( B r e e r)
. w .

Opu s Ter ti um x x v , . 88 ( B r e w e r) .

I f P rofe ssor R i e u t e rp re t at i o n o f t h e word s qu ae voc ntur

’
s in a

A r a bi ce A u b b c o r e c t t h e a p p li c a t i o n o f a dj c t i v e s i n t h e s i n g u l a r
ss e r , e

t o a p l u l n o u u w ou l d n o t s h o w a f a m i li a r i j
ra =
a c q ua i n t a n c e wi t h

A ab i c
r S e e Opu s M aj u s 11 v 1 0 2 m 3 ( B ri d g e s )
.
, . . , . .
1 20 R OG ER B A CON

Brito i ndi gni ss i mus

,
a uctori tate , de rive d t he H e br e w word
Gehenna from ge terra a md e nn os quod est pro/undum a n , , , ,

e rror sh ar e d by Hug ut i o Th e y both with oth e r gra mmati .

,

c ella e im agin e d
i di ota e ,
t he H e bre w word arra bah ( G e n esis
xxxviii 1 7 ) to b e arra
. bon a ( u t r es qua e da tur p r o c oni ugi o,

vel r e bona , n on p uthors

ro mal a ) . Oth e r
o f Gr e e k di c tion a ri e s a

a lso in c lud e d this word a s i f it w e r e Gr e e k Hugut i o and

,
.

othe rs showe d what j ac kass e s the y we r e (et i n hoc astendunt

se e ss e us i n as) by a v e rring th a t t h e p ur e ly Latin word c ael um

was casa hel i as a nd B rito g a v e a n al t e rn a tiv e d e riv ation

,

o f tus turi s
,
from ,
B ac on r e l a t e s th a t Joh ann e s d e
Garl and i a h ad told him th a t h e h ad bl am e d our trio fo r
s pe lling t h e word ori chalcum a uri calcum and d e riving it ,

fa n c i fully from a urum a nd cal cum He furth e r t ak e s th e s e .

a uthors to t ask fo r th e ir blund e rs 111 s p e lling s c a nsion a nd , ,

e tymology a nd a dds to th e m a fourth c ul prit

,
Al e x a nde r ,

Ne c kh am whom Brito quot e d as a n authority b e c a us e h e

,

was his e qu al i m m aking mist ak e s ?

It c a nnot b e d e ni e d th at B ac on hims e l f o cc asion ally
e rr e d in t h e s a m e way Thus in th e Opus M i nus wh e n .
, ,
5

d e sc ribing Orige ne s six fold e dition o f t h e Bibl e c all e d ’

H exapla h e took this word t o b e a com pound of hex

,

s i mul ardi n e c ons cri pta et a pl um i dem quod s i mul La t e r

’

, .
,

h e must h a v e b e c om e a wa r e th a t a pl a do e s not m e a n s i mul ,

a nd we find in t h e Ca mbridg e fr agm e nt o f his Gr e e k

Gr amm ar hex eni m Gra ece i de m es t quod s ex L ati ne et ,

a i um e m qu od s i mpl ex six tr nsl tions in

’

p i d a a o ne a nd ,

not six ve rsions simult a n e ously e xhibit e d B ut h e

a dh e r e s to t h e e rron e ous d e riv a tion o f t h e Word He give s .

t h e g e nitiv e o f t h e word ß £ as ßco xr o s a ft e r t h e a n alogy co

_

o f vv
5 v, 7 o s inst e a d '
o f ßco xös ? Th e fals e qu a ntity in t h e
,

B a c o n t h e n q u o t s S e rv i u s f o t h d e ri v t i o n o f tu f o m tun d re
e r e a s r e .

C mp S tu d P h i l v i i 44 6 —6 4 a n d p ass i m i n hi s o t h e w o k
o . . .
, r r s .

p 337 ( B w )
. re er .

Gr ee k G ra mmar , pp . 19 1 , 192 .

5
Ib i d .
, p . 145 .
 PH ILOLOGY 121

word mathesi s (et a b hoc nomi ne mathes i s medi a carrepta ) h e

c orr e ct e d hims e l f But su c h inst a n c e s a re e xtr e m e ly r a r e
‘
.
,

a nd h is corr e ctions o f t h e e rrors o f his

p r e d e c e ssors dis pl a y
his thorough ac quaimt amc e with Gr e e k forms .

It is not only this intim at e knowl e dg e o f t h e l a ngu a g e ,

but also b is k e e n c riti c a l p owers th at are prove d by hi s

in e xor able c ond e mn ation o f most o f t he e xisting tr a nsl atio ns .

It would b e s upe rfluo us to multi ply e x a m pl e s a fe w

r e m arks will s uffi c e His horror o f tr a nsl ations is p art i c u

.

l arly p ronoun c e d i m r e fe r e n c e to Aristotl e a n d h e dwe lls ,

u p on o n e p ass ag e whi c h tou c h e s u p on an im p ort a nt p oint

,

of m e di ae va l c ontrove rsy He s a ys that most o f th e

.

c omm e nt a tors o f Aristotl e s D e A ni ma ( iii 5 ) w e r e unde r

’
.

t h e im pr e ssion th at h e m e a nt to c onv e y th a t t h e i ntell ectus

a gens a nd t h e i ntell ectus poss i bi li s w e r e both o f th e m p a rts

o f t h e soul . This h e s a ys wa s an e rror ; wh a t Aristotl e

, ,

t aught was th at t h e i ntellectus agens c a m e from wi thout a nd ,

was not a p art o f th e soul Th e i ntell ectus a gens was in t h e

.
,

first pl ac e God a nd in t h e s e c ond pl ac e th e a ng e ls God s

, ,
.
’

r e l ation to t h e soul c o uld b e c om par e d to th at o f t h e sun to

t h e e ye a n d th a t o f His a ng e ls to t h e st ars
,
I t was a mist ak e .

o f omnes mod er ni to a ssum e th a t t h e i n tell e ctus agens wa s

a p a rt o f t h e so ul but thos e who we r e b e tt e r in form e d did

not shar e t h e e rror su c h as t he ve n e r abl e B isho p o f P aris
, ,

Willi am of Auve rgn e and Rob e rt Gross e t e st e and Ad a m

, ,

Marsh ; a nd wh e n som e pr e sum ptuous Fr a n c is c ans a sk e d

t h e l a tt e r wh a t t h e m e a ning was o f i n tell ectus a ge ns h e ,

a nsw e r e d th a t it was Elij a h s r a v e m B ac on s e ts f orth th a t

’
.

t h e fault o f th e s e modern i l a y in a misi n t e r pr e t a tion o f t h e

tr a nsl ation o f Aristotl e s words From t h e phr as e quoni a m
’
.

a ute m i n omni n atura est a l i qui d qu od a ga t,

et a l i qui d q d
u o

p ati atur i ta eri l thin

e y c on c lud e d th a t t h e a gens
a ni ma ,

a nd t h e pati ens w e r e both in t h e soul a n d th a t th e y form e d ,

p a rts o f it B u t
. if th e y h a d c onsid e r e d t h e whol e o f

Opu M j u s I i vs 39 n a ( B i d g e s)
, . . 2 . 1 r .
1 22 R OG E R BA CON

Aristotl e s words in th e ir c ont e xt th e ir t e mor would h ave

’

shown th e m t h e r e al m e a ning .
‘

H aving r e fe rr e d to a mistr a nsl ation im r e g ard to t he sur

fac e s o i p l a n e a md solid figur e s h e pro c e e ds to p oint out ,

a r idi c u lous mist a k e about t h e r e c urr e n c e o f a lun a r r ainbow .

Th e words 8 67rep é1 ér eo w 1n r ép 7 0i n e vr fix w a 829 éve r zi xop e v

' ‘ ‘
1 / o

u övo v ( M ete or
‚
iii 2 ) we r e tr a nsl at e d so as to c onv e y th e
. .

m e aning th at a l un ar r a inbow c ould o nl y o cc ur twi c e in fi ft y

ye ars wh e re as it is c l e ar th at Ar istotl e m e r e ly s a id th a t fo r
,

u pw ar ds o f fi ft y ye ars t h e p he nom e non h ad only b e e n

obs e rve d twi c e ? It is unn e ce ss ary to giv e mor e e x am pl e s
o f mistr a nsl ations f rom t h e Gr e e k c omm e nt e d 0 11 by B a con
?

O f t h e Gr a mm a rs o f t h e f our l e a rn e d l a ngu a g e s whi c h it

was Ba c on s int e ntion to writ e we p oss e ss onl y a tol e r a bly
’
,

c om l e t e s e c im e n o f his G r e e k Gr amm a r T his m a y eb

p p .

d ue to t h e c ir c um st a n c e th a t h e wrot e it first b e c a us e it
was e a si e r a n d m or e in ac c ord a n ce with La tin
,
an d c ould

not at a l at e r ti m e give ful l e ffe c t to his d e sign Or t h e .

r e ason ma y b e th at t h e fat ality a tt ac hing to books pl a ye d

h a vo c with t h e oth e rs amd c aus e d th e m to dis a ppe ar H e ,
.
,

d e sir e d his G r e e k Gr a m m ar to b e us e ful to t h e Latins a e o m

p ar ison o f Gr e e k a nd L atin gr a mm a r was th e r e for e indis
p e ns a bl e a n d t h e gr a mm a r o f a ll l a ngu a g e s wa s t h e s a m e

i n s ubstan ce t h e div e rg e n ce s b e ing m e r e ly a cci dental

,
.

Be sid e s La tin gr a m m a r was mod e ll e d a ft e r th a t o f Gr e e k ?

,

I t is a c h a r ac t e r isti c p e c ul i a r to B ac on th at h e fr e qu e ntly

Opu s Te rti um ,
xxi i i .
74
—6
( B re w e r) Opu s M aj us ,
I . ii .
38 ff .

( B ri d g e s ) Th e p a s s a g e i n D e A n i ma
. h i c h B a c o n r e f e r s t o r un s w
‘
e o r i r t T O e v 57
’ ’
e 71 6 1 Ö ä10 71 6
' ‘
mivm
’ ’ ’

p e v än do y r g}
'

p h ) éxci o r cp y €va ( r o frr o 8 .

*

'
övmi p a e xe i va ), Er e po v de 7 6 a i n o v na l rronrr u<öv 7 93 rroce i u rrci vr a , o io v i) r exvq
’ ‘

j 5Ä nu rre n o vße v är dym; na l 7 5 \l/ vxfi Ön dpxe w r a ör a s n i s öw <ßopds

'

rrp ös n u .
,
2
Opus Terti u m xx i ii 7 7 ( B r e w e r ) ; Opu s M aj us I i v 2 1 2
, .
, . .

( B ri d g e s ) . A l u na r rainb o w was o b s e rv e d t
i n H un i n g d o nshi r e on

th e 8 th of J a nua ry o f t h i s y e a r .

1 2 4 (B e we )
5
p . r r .

C o mp S tu d P h i l . . .
, ix 49 5 .
( B re w e r) G ree k Gra mma r , p .
3 .

5
G re e k G ra mma r , p . 27 .
1 24 R OG ER B A CON

a nd to fr auds o f uns c ru p ulous c o pyists He s a ys th at .

‘

m any c o p yists w e r e r e quir e d and m any proo fs h ad to b e ,

r e re d b e f or e t h e fin a l c o p y c ould b e c om p l e t e d i m a
p p a ,

fini sh e d fo r m ? He was ve ry c a r e ful in th e r e vision o f t h e

r oo fs a n d it w as o ft e n only t h e f ourth or fi ft h th at me t
p ,

with his fin al approval B ut som e Of th e c o pyists we r e not .

t rustworthy a md o c c asion ally k e pt t h e c o pi e s or g a v e th e m

, ,

a w a y to str a ng e rs B e for e d e liv e ring his works to t h e pr o

5
.

fess i o nal c o pyists h e wa s in t h e h a bit o f c om p osing s e v e r a l

,

dra fts o f wh at h e int e nd e d to p ublish th e y w e r e fr e que ntly

dis c onn e c t e d j ottings writt e n for t h e us e o f p u pils or at
, ,

t h e r e qu e st o f fr i e nds No t a tt a c hing much im p ort a n c e

.

to the m h e n egl e c t e d th e m and did not 1 e t a in the m But

,
.

wars t o f all was t h e tr e ac h e ry o f fr a udul e nt c o p yists ?

I n t h e c as e o f B ac on t h e furth e r distin c tion must b e

m ad e b e twe e n c urs ory tr e atis e s on t h e subj e c ts th at c am e
und e r his c onsid e r ation a n d the ir e xh a ustive e sot e ri c tr e at
m e nt th at was to form his S cri ptum P ri nci pal e His i mt e n .

t i o n was to su p ply both c l a ss e s o f writings a nd a r e p e tition ,

o f t h e s am e m att e r must n e e ds f ollow .

Th e Gr e e k G r a mm a r p r e s e rv e d i m Cor p us Christi Coll e g e ,

Ox ford a md p ublish e d in 1 90 2 is in t h e m ai n a tr e a tis e on

, ,

t h e c om p a r ativ e gr a mm ar o f t h e Gr e e k an d La tin l a ngu ag e s ?

Y ouths wh e n t a ught Latin a re first introduc e d to t h e

, ,

e l e m e nts o f writing r e a ding a nd c onstruing e asy s e nt e n c e s

, ,

t h e s a m e m e thod shou ld b e f ollow e d in Gr e e k Ba c on .

th e r e for e st art e d with t h e Gr e e k al ph ab e t c l assi fying ,

t h e l e tt e rs a md giving th e ir sh a p e s th e ir n am e s an d th e ir
, , ,

nu m e ri c al valu e s We m u st b e r athe r doubt ful as to t h e

.

sh ar e t h e c o p yists h e ar in th e sh ap ing o f t h e l e tt e rs Th e y .

G k G mm
ree I n t o d u c t i o n p xxx v i f
ra ar, r , . .

Op u T ti um x vi 5 7 ( B w )
s er , . re er .

5
Ib i d i i 1 3 (B we ) . re r .

F A G asq u e t
. . An U n p u bli sh d F g m e n t o f a W o k b y Rog e
, e ra r r

Ba c o n , i n t h e E ng li s h H i s tor i c a l Re vi e w x i i ( 1 8 9 7 ) 5 0 0
’

, . , 50 1 .

5
w
B r e e r Ope r a I n e d i ta , I n r o d uc i o n , p l i v
, t t . x .
 PH ILOLOG Y 1 25

di ffe r in form from thos e give n in the m anus c ri pts o f t h e

Opus M afus a nd in t he Ca mbridg e fr ag m e nt ? I t is o f
‘

int e rest to c om par e th e m with t he c h ar ac t e rs e xhibit e d in

his s p e c im e n o f Gr e e k pal ae ogr aphy at t h e e nd of the ,

Compendi um S tudi i P hi l osophi ae t h e e arli e st in all prob a ,

bilit y e xt a nt in We st e rn Christ e ndom and am inst an c e o f

’

t he minut e ac c ur ac y with whi c h h e pros e c ut e d th e s e philo

logi c al studi e s and the care h e h ad t ake n in e xami ning
,

m anuscri pts
The a l ph ab e t is followe d by t h e a c c e nts a md abbr e vi ations
in writing (pp 9 t h e a rti c l e som e dir e c tions r e g a rding
.
,

writing and r e ading and as r e ading l e ssons th e Gre e k t e xt , , ,

of P a ter n aster A ve M ari a Credo , , ,

M agn iflca t Nuno di mi tti s , ,

et B enedi ctus , qua e with tr anslit e r ation

s unt und a me nta f fi d ei

a nd tr a nsl ation ( pp 1 2 Th e n f ollow t h e l e tt e rs o f t h e

.

al ph ab e t a n d th e ir num e ri c a l v alu e s Th e n a m e s giv e n to t h e .

num e r als are roughly t he s am e as in mod e rn Gre e k e g

, , . .

en a , di o tri a tes sara &c

, , ,
. i coss i tri anda , ,
s al a nda , i
p ndi nda ,
&c .
( pp . H e r e B ac on t ake s the o pportunity o f e o m
2 4,

p l a ining o f t h e ignor a n c e o f bisho ps o f e v e n th e l e tt e rs o f

t h e Gr e e k a l p h ab e t whi c h t e nds to int e r fe r e with a pro pe r ,

p e r f orm a n ce o f a n im p o r t a nt rit e o f t h e C hur c h I t is t h e .

4

duty o f the bisho p wh e n c ons e c r ating a c hur c h to writ e , ,

with his pastor a l st a ff t h e l e tt e rs o f th e Gr e e k a l ph ab e t in

sm all he aps o f s and or ashe s But in the ir ignor a nc e th e y .
, ,

pe rve rt e d t h e sh a pe o f t h e l e tt e rs with whi c h b e sid e s th e y , , ,

jumbl e d up t he num er als ?

F or t h o i n th V t i c n MS
se f o n t i p i e c e t o Opu M j u
e a a .
, see r s s a s,

v ol i i i
. d B i dg s
,
e nd th o
. r i n t h Co tt n i a n M S S A H i s c h
e a se e o .
,
. . r ,

A B oo k o f E s s ay s p 6 5 , . .

G reek Gra mmar , p p 1 84 1 8 5 .

, .

5
B re we r , Op era I n e d i ta p f lx ii i , .

B a c o n i s muc h c o n c e rn e d a b ou t thi s . He ven s t hi s d i ssa t i s

t
fa c i o n t h re e t i m e s i n t hi s G ra mm a (pp r . 2 5, 8 1, a n d a l lud e s to
th i s , a n d t h e e r ro r s a i s i n g t h e f ro m r re qu od e s s e n on potes t s i ne

i nj ur i a s a cr a men ti ,
i n t h e Op u s M af u s ,
I . i ii 94 ( B ri d g e s)
. .

5
G reek Gra mma r ,
In t r o d uc ti on , p l
. xxiii .
1 26 R OG E R B A CON

B e for e p ro c e e ding
with t h e rul e s o f ac c id e n c e Bac on m ak es ,

som e r e m arks on idio ms on t h e n e c e ssity o f c om paring ,

Gr e e k and Latin g r amm ar on distinc tions in r e fe re n c e to t he ,

voi c e an d on th e diffe r e n c e b e tw e e n elementum a n d li tera .

An idiom is t h e dis tin c t way in whi c h a r ac e o f me n m ak e

us e o f a l a ngu ag e a c c ording to th e i r c usto m s ( I d i ama es t
,

p p
ro ri eta s
l i n gu a e d eter mi n a ta qu a un a
g e n s u ti tu r j uxta

s ua m c ans u etudi n em) a noth e r r ac e u s ing t h e s a m e l an gu a g e

,

in a di ffe r e nt way E ac h l angu ag e h as as m any idioms as

.

t h e re are r a c e s th at us e it All l angu age s s p ok e n b e twe e n .

A pul i a a n d S pa in are i n substa nce Latin, a n d d i vers ifie d

only as idio ms Ch ald ae a n a nd H e br e w are idioms o f t h e
.
‘

s am e l an gu ag e in t h e s am e way as P i c ard i an Norm an

, , ,

B urgundi a n P a risi a n a md Fr e n c h are idio m s o f t h e c om m on

, ,

l ang u ag e Fr e n c h ? It is t he s a m e wi th t h e Gr e e ks the y
,

h a d o n e l a ngu ag e in subst a n c e but v ar ious w a ys o f using ,

it Of th e s e fi v e idioms w e r e e s pe c i ally famous : Atti c A e oli c

.
, , ,

D ari o I o mi c a nd t h e idio m in use a mong t h e Bo e oti a ns

, ,
.

I t was o f t h e utmost im p ort an c e to know this b e c a us e o f its ,

ut ility to t h e Latins For aft e r all La tin gr amm ar was .

, ,

b as e d u p on th at o f Gr e e k a nd a c om parison o f G re e k a nd ,

La t i n gr a m m a r is im p e r a tiv e fo r t h e und e rst a nding both

o f Gr e e k a n d o f La t i n gr a mm ar a nd thi s c ons i d er a ti on wa s

the chi e f moti ve f or wri ti ng the pres ent trea ti se ( p .

In r e ga r d to the division
words B ac on r e j e c ts som e o f of ,

P ri s c i an s d e fi n i t i o n s a n d pr e fe rs thos e o f B o e thius who was

’

maj ori s a uctori ta ti s et i n ti ngui s et i n sci enti i s A word .

( ) is a rti cul a te wh e n it c an b e writt e n down in l e tt e rs

v ax ,

wh e the r it c onve y a m e ani n g or no t I t is th e n a .

A l e tt e r in writing a nd sh ap e is t h e sm all e st p art o f an

, ,

a rti c ul at e word but its sound is an element The sign a .

,

wh e n put down in ink or by m e ans o f t he styl e is a l etter , , ,

Op u s T e rti u m ,
xx v . 88 ( B r e we r ) .

2
Cf . C amp . S tud . P hi l vi .
4 38 . Cf . Opu s M ajus , I . i ii . 66
( B ri d g e s) .
1 28 R OG E R B A CON

wi th y h e follows a n al ph a b e ti c a l ord e r but in r eg a rd to oth e r ,

words he st a t e s tha t h e would not c ontinue a l ph a b e ti c all y ,

but p ut down t h e words as the y o c c urr e d to him as h e ,

int e nd e d to c om pos e a n a l ph ab e tic al vo c a bul a ry o f all

Gr e e k words th at we r e in us e wi th t he La tin s c hol ars ( p .

W e c a nnot s ay wh e th e r h e c om pl e t e d it but it is c e rt ain ,

th at h e c omm e n c e d it for t he gr amm ati cal tr e at is e ins e rt e d ,

in th e Compendi um S tudi i P hi losophi ae c ont a ins an al ph a

b e t i cal list o f Gr e e k words in c ommon us e with t he La tins ;
a noth e r list o f e c c l e si a stic a l t e rms a nd a numb e r o f gr a m ,

m at ic al logi c al m ath e m ati c al a md simil a r t e rms without

, , , ,

a l ph a b e ti c a l ord e r
‘
.

A l e xi c on in t h e poss e ssion o f t h e Coll e g e o f Arms in

London ( Arund e l ix) was thought to b e t h e vo c a bul ary ,

in qu estion ? B ut Dr M R J a m e s in a d e s c ri ption and . . .

,

a n alysis o f this m a nus c ri p t d e c id e s a g a inst t h e a ssum p tion

?
,

Dr J a m e s is o f o p inion th a t th e r e was n o e vid e n c e to show

.

th at Rog e r B ac on was c on c e rn e d with th is l e xi c on nor did

t h e l e xi c on show any tr ac e s o f borrowing f rom his works ,

a n d m or e e s p ec i ally his Gr e e k Gr a mm a r D r J a m e s s up . .

p os e s t h e a uthor or r a th e r t h e c om p il e r to h a v e b e e n , ,

a m e mb e r o f Rob e rt Gross e t e st e s c ir c l e ; not Gross e t e st e ’

hi ms e l f but a young e r c ont e m por ary

,
.

Anoth e r l arg e p ortion o f t h e Gre e k Gr a mm a r is t ak e n up

by B ac on s tr e at m e nt o f ac c e ntu ation and prosody ( pp 95
’
.

a nd no wond e r Th e subj e c t was o f p a rti c ul a r int e r e st

t o h i m B eside s m any othe r a utho r iti e s h e p arti c ul arly
.

r e fe rs to Augustin e who s aid th a t t h e rul e s c onc e rning l e ngth ,

“

C omp S tu d P h i l. . .
,
vi .
4 4 1 ff .
( B re we r ) .

Gre e k G ra mma r I n t r od uc t i o n p xxx v i

2
, , . .

5
A G r a c c o —La t i n L e x i c on o f t h e Th i r t e e n t h t u ry in th e
’
Ce n ,

M é la nges afi e rts M Emi le Cha te la i n pa r s es . eleve s e t se s a mi s ,

Pa r i s , 19 10 , pp .
39 6 ff .

Th e s ub e c j t i s a ls o d e a l t wi t h at t
l e ng h i n t h e Opu s Ter ti u m,
l x —l i v x . 2 34
—8
, a md Camp S tud P hi l . . vii .
4 6 1 —
4 . Cf Opus M a
. j us ,

1 . i ii 9 0.
( B ri d g e s ) .
 PH I LOLOGY 129

a md bre vity o f vowe ls b e long e d r a the r to t he the ory o f

musi c th a n to gr amm ar The music i an provid e d the art .
,

t h e gr amm a ri a n wa s t h e m e c h a ni c No t only song but .

‘
,

a lso m e tr e rhythm a nd ac c e ntu ation w e r e ro e rti e s f t h e

, p p o ,

hum a n voi ce Cons e que ntly l e ngth and br e vity o f t h e

.

vowe ls and e ve rything a pp e rt a i n ing to pro pe r pronunc i a

,

t io n we re pa rts o f t he s c i e n c e o f musi c ? B ut B ac on c o m
, ,

p l a ins it would
, b e m u c h e a si e r to im p a rt to t h e e
p p o l e a

s uffi c i e nt knowl e dg e o f P ers ecti ve a lthough it b e o n e O f t h e

p ,

im port ant dis c i plin e s o f whic h th e y kne w nothing th an to ,

t e ac h the m this parti c ul ar br an c h o f music although e ve r y ,

body l e a rn e d th e muc h slight e d s c ie n ce o f gra mm a r from

his youth .
5

B ac on follows up som e d e fi n it i o ns a md rul e s with a list

o f e rrors c o m monly c ommitt e d in m e tr e in whi c h Brito ,

P api as and Hugut io c om e in for the ir c ustom ary sh ar e o f

,

vitu pe r ation H e c orr e c ts e rrone ous motions on t h e qu a n

.

titie s o f a numb e r o f words in use among t he La tins on ,

qu a ntitie s o f vowe ls wh e n followe d by c onson ants a nd ,

on as pira tion a nd ac c e ntu ation .

Of t h e third p art whi c h follows n e xt t h e first a nd s e c ond , ,

di sti ncti ones a nd a portion o f t he third a re missing in t he

m anus c ri pt Th e y must h a ve cont aine d th e rul e s a bout
.

t h e d e c l e nsion o f nouns Wh at we poss ess o f it is a c ontinu a .

tion o f t he rule s on t h e geni ti ve He m e ntions t h e syst e m .

o f d e c l e nsion whic h is th at o f t h e rcc w6ue s e ia a ycoy moc of ’

Th e odosius 1 e 35 m as c ulin e d ec l e nsions 1 2 fe minin e and

,
. .
, ,

9 n e ut e r H e do e s not how e ve r quot e Th e odosius by

.
, ,

n am e but only s a ys tha t the syst e m is in us e a mong t h e

,

Crucci moderni He hi ms e l f pr e fe rs a sim pl e r syst e m o f

.

‘
thr e e d ec l e nsions An a c c ount o f t h e synaeresi s follows
. .

Opus Te r ti u m l i x , . 2 31 ( B re w e r ) .

2
Opu s M afu s I i v , . . 2 37 ( B ri d g e s ) G ree k Gr a mma r , p 96. .

Terti u m l x ( B r e we r )
5
Opu s 34
, . 2 .

Wh i c h is o u t o f p l a c e h e re . See G ree k Gra mmar , p . 1 47 , n . 2 .

1 68 9 K
1 36 R OG E R B A CON

Com pound nouns mine c l ass e s o f d e riva tive nouns pronouns

, , ,

a nd t h e v e rb ar e dis c uss e d a t l e ngth ( p p 1 5 8 .

I n r e fe r e n c e to t h e v e rb B a c on assum e s a ft e r Pris c i a n , , ,

thi r t e e n c onj ug ations whi c h h e d e s c rib e s seri ati m and d e als

, ,

with t h e voic e s m oods a nd t e ns e s He mo difie s his first

, , .

int e ntion o f giving p ar adigms o f all t h e c l ass e s o f ve rbs This .

,

h e s a ys wa s unde sir abl e first on ac c o unt o f t h e ir numb e r

, , , ,

a nd s e c ondly b e caus e o f th e diffic ult y o f u nd e rst a nding

, ,

th e m ; th a t this gr amm ar was only e l e m e nt ary an d no ,

b e ginn e r would be abl e to m ast e r th e m all H e r e fe rs .

stud e nts to his l arge r tr e atis e i f th e y should wa nt mor e in ,

form a tion Th e p r e s e nt o ne was writt e n to s e rve t h e r e quir e

.

m e nts o f t h e Latins so as to e n abl e th e m to unde rst a nd any,

Lat in t e xt t he e x p ositions o f t h e s a ints t h e gr a mm a ri a ns

, , ,

t h e p o e ts a n d t h e oth e r s ag e s
, am d su c h stud e nts did not
want to study all c onj ug ations He wo uld th e r e for e give .

only o ne c onj ug a tion in Gr e e k l e tt e rs and a noth e r in Latin ,

c h ar a c t e rs H e give s t h e forms o f
. foll owing o ne o f
thos e m anu als in whi c h t he r ul e s l aid down by Dionysius
Thr a x a nd his imm e di a t e f ollowe rs w e r e r e nd e r e d in t h e
f orm o f a c a t e c hism ( épwr fifia r a ) He c all s its a uthor sim ply .

Gr a ecus No more h as b e e n pr e s e rve d in t h e m a nus c ri pt

.
‘
.

It is unn e c e ss a ry to give a d e s c ri p tion o f t h e Ca mbridg e

fr agm e nt o f Bac on s Gr e e k Gr a mm a r It is e vid e ntly a dr aft
’
.

o f som e p ass ag e s o c c urring in t h e thi r d

p art o f t h e Opus
M aj us or o f his Gre e k Gr a mm a r Th e r e is how e ve r o ne
, .
, ,

p oint o f int e r e st In t he int e rlin e a ry r e a ding l essons in t h e

.

O x ford Gr a mm a r t h e Gr e e k t e xt f orms t h e low e st lin e t h e

, ,

tr a nslit e r ation i m La tin c h ar act e rs t he middl e li ne and ,

t h e La tin tr ansl a tion t h e first line Wh e n e ve r t he a rticl e .

G re e k G ra mma r , p . 17 3 : S i cu t i g i tur G rae c us a n te f orma ti one m

c on i ug a ti on i s s e cu n d u m h oc verbu m qua e r i t d e hoc voca bul a cutus
, ,

sit p a rti s o ra ti an i s , e t c u i us modi , e t cu i us s i n

g ifica ti an i s &c , .

Q u a e ri t i g i tu r G ra e cus : 3
7 1 11 7 0
, 17 0 1o u
'

p épo v:
'
Ä <iyo v e o r i ; pr)p a7 0 9 °
i
rro a s

wi nd i ng up wi t h th e
’

xÄ ia e wfi 6pur rcxäc , & c u su a l f o rm

'
c
y Ka vo vi fcr a i .

Ci . G ree k G ra mma r , I nt o d uc t i o n p p l xi i fi
r , . .
 1 32 R OG E R B A CON

B ac ons inde bt e dn e ss to his Gr e e k ac quaimt amces sho uld

’

not be ove rr a t e d H e owe d th e m muc h but he owe d much

.
,

mor e in t h e first pl ac e to t he a n alytic al powe rs o f his vast

, ,

int e ll e c t and in t he s e c ond pl ac e to his study o f books

, , ,

on g ra mm ar .

Th e f orm e r e n abl e d him to pe r ce ive t h e form ation a n d

c onstru c tion o f words an d s e nt e n c e s wh e n e nd e a vouring

by the ir m e a ns to arrive at th e tru e m e aning o f the works

h e r e ad H e nce his tr e n c ha nt c riti c isms o f suc h mist ak e n
.

int e r pr e t ations as might h a ve b e e n a voide d if an a de quat e

knowl e dg e o f t h e l a nguag e h ad guide d t he r e ade r or tr a ns
l ator His s c rutiny o f su c h Gr e e k works as we r e acc e ssibl e
.

to him was c arri e d on with c ons c i e ntio us c ar e both r e g arding ,

t h e l e tt e r a n d t h e s p irit H e was a w a r e how limit e d a p o r .

tion o f Gr e e k lit e r a tur e was at his dis p os al and h e n e ve r

c e as e d to a pp e a l fo r t h e s e a r c h fo r a nd t h e a c quisition o f

n e w books H e s e e ms to h a v e h ad no co p y o f Hom e r in
.

t h e origin al m a ny oth e r wo rks h e kne w only from transl a

tions but h e h ad an intim at e knowl e dg e o f t he fe w Gr e e k
books th at we r e within his r e ac h in parti c ul ar som e o f t he ,

a uth e nti c a nd a f e w o f t h e s p urious works o f Aristotl e .

His Lat in r e ading h ad a muc h wid e r r ang e H e ne e it is th a t .

‘

in his Gr a m m ar he d e monstr at e s his obs e rvatio ns on Gr e e k

orthogr a phy and prosody by quot a tions from Latin a nd not
f rom Gr e e k a uthors ?
Bac on giv e s a list o f t h e p rinci p a l a uthoriti e s on gr a mm ar
c onsult e d by him a n d o f t h e a uthors whos e p rodu c tions h e
,

r e fe rs to as st a nd a r d works H e name s Be de , Pris c i an ; 3

.

Don at us S e rvius Lu c a n Juve n al St a tius Hora c e P e rsius

, , , , , , ,

Si r J . E Sa n d ys
.
, u t s upr a .

2
A v e rs e of Ca lli ma c h us , q uo ted b y B a c o n fr o m P ri s c i a n , le d
mi s u n d e r st a n d i n g (7 ö s ni x» 6 q mipxe w s 3<I> q £e vos,
' '

to 8
. c u r i o us

o uva wä> ) Ca l li ma chu s p oeta Gr a e cu s Omn e s quod es t n ame n , ,

p rop r i u m vi r i i n G ra e ca bre vi a vi t s i cut d oce t P r i sci a nus

, , . G r ee k
G ra mmar p 4 0 ; of p 9 5 a n d I n t ro d uc t i on p lxxi v
, . . .
, , . .

5
Greek G ra mma r p 37 , . .
 PH ILOLOGY 1 33

J uv e nc us , Prud eAntius P a ulinus

rat o r , Pros p e r S e d ul i us , , , ,

Isidor e a nd Plinius
, This list is not e xh a ustiv e but h e .
,

c it e s the s e as a n c i e nt an d r e li abl e a uthoriti e s who h ad ,

a thorough knowl e dg e o f Gr e e k gr a mm ar a m d c ons e qu e ntly , , ,

of Latin gr a mm ar But h e r e fus e s to ac knowl e dg e

Hug ut io P a pi as and Brito as a uthoriti e s P r i s c i a ms n a m e
’ ’
.
, ,

a p pe a r s a lmost on e v e ry p a g e o f his Gr a mm ar but h e do e s not ,

blindly follow h im He d e c l ar e s him to b e more o f a c om pil e r

.

tha n an author s a ying th at h e r e produc e d t he o pinions o f

,

oth e rs from whi c h h e s e l e c t e d wh a t he d e e m e d to b e c orr e c t

, ,

but th a t he som e tim e s though r a r e ly m ade mist ak e s a nd , , ,

should not b e followe d in e ve ry c as e S e rvius whom .

‘
,

Pris c i a n fre que ntly c it e d was a gr e at e r a uthority so was ,

B o e thius a nd W h e n e v e r t h e l att e r di ffe r e d from Pris c i an ,

his vi e w should be a do pt e d ? But B e de s a uthority sur pass e d ’

all o f th e m He was most l e arn e d in l angu ag e s and gr am

.

mar .
5
Ba c on thought h im to h a v e b e e n olde r th a n Pris c i a n .

Ne ith e r am ong t h e Latin p o e ts nor a m ong gr a mm ari ans

was th e r e a nybody gr e a t e r t h an h e h e wa s a mu c h gr e a t e r
s c hol ar th an Pris c i an both in th e ologic al and s e c ul ar ,

subj e c ts ?

Bac on a lso m ad e us e o f oth e r gr a mm ati c a l works whi c h ,

h e do e s no t quot e by t h e name s o f th e ir a uthors but sim ply ,

a llud e s to a s Cr ucci a uctores i n gra mma ti ca eorum B ut .

whilst c iting the m h e d e e ms it n e c e ss ary a t t h e s am e tim e

, , ,

to e x pl ain Prisc i an s rul e s so as to s ave m isund e rst a ndings

’

,
.
5

S e ve r al o f suc h m anu als m ust h ave b e e n inc l ud e d in thos e

whi c h Gross e t e st e h ad c aus e d to b e i m par t e d from G re e c e .
6

Th e knowl e dg e o f s om e o f th e s e gr a mm a r i a ns m ust h a v e
b e e n r ath e r fe e bl e ; for m isl e d by t h e si mil arity o f t h e ,

Opus Te r ti um l x i , . 245 G ree k G ra mma r , p . 1 31 .

2
G r ee k G ra mma r p p 2 8 , .
,
29 . Cf . Opu s T e rti u m ,
x .
33 ; Opus
M aj us I i ii 6 7 ( B ri d g e s )
, . . .

5
Opu s M i n u s p 332 ( B r e e r) , . w .

Greek Gra mmar p 4 1 , . .

5
I bi d .
, pp . 16 5, 169 .

5
Op us T er ti um, x x v 9 1 ( B r e e r ) . w .
1 34 R OG E R B A CO N

sh a pe som e l e tt ers th e y turn e d t he a ori st into lori ston

of , ,

and 6 a ür ös into
Som e o f t he m anu als th at we r e us e d by Bac on undoubt e dly
f ollowe d t h e tr a dition s o f t h e B yz a ntin e s c hool Th e r e a re .

som e points o f like ne ss b e twe e n his Gr amm a r and thos e o f

Const a ntine Las c ar is a nd Ch ryso l o ras but in ot he r p oints
th e y di ffe r Pro fe ssor H e ib e rg urg e s th at in t he re ading
.
2

le ssons t h e S ymbolum p a rti c ul arly b etr a ye d t he B yz antine

origin b e c aus e it t a lli e s almost v e rb ally with Lascari s and
, ,

B ac on r e produ c e d e v e n f rom his sour ce t he phr a s e éi< 7 0 8

rr r p ös éxrrop e vöp e vo v without a dding
a as Lasc ari s did t he
, , ,

words na l 7 0 6 vi o ü ac c ording to t h e Lat i n dogm a But

, .

the r e are also im port ant dis c re pa nc i e s as st ands to r e ason ,

c onsid e ring B ac on s c riti c a l s c rutiny o f his p r e d e c e ssors

’

and b e sid e s h e h a d p rob a bly a c c e ss to som e o f t he mor e

, ,

an c i e nt works u p on whi c h t h e l a t e r syst e ms o f gr a mm a r w e r e

b as e d We h a ve alre ady s e e n th a t B ac on r e j e c t e d t h e
.

Ka v6r € g e i o a y coy u< a i of T h e odosius ( c t he e nd o f t h e .

fourth c e ntury ) La scaris a nd Ch rysoloras h a ving oth e r

,

nu mb e rs ?
I t is im prob abl e th a t B ac on h ad a ny dir e ct
knowl e dg e o f Th e odosius i f he h ad he would ha ve quot e d ,

him inst e ad o f t h e moderni Graeci He s e e ms howe ve r to .

, ,

h ave h ad som e knowl e dg e o f H e rodi an ( c H e quot e s .

h i m twi c e in his Gr am m a r ( pp 46 a nd t h e l a tt e r p ass ag e .

,

dis pl ays a c los e ac quaimt amce with at l e ast a p art o f his

works sed n ecessa r i a e s t rati o s cr i bendi
quam hi e vai o
i n serere s ecundu m quod i n gra mma ti ca Gra eca H eradi ani
di li gen ter i n ters cr i ps i ) .

The p ar a digms B ac on us e s w e r e for t he most , part , t he

s am e whi c h w e re in us e from t h e e a rli e st tim e s . The v e rb

Gre e k G ra mma r p p 1 6 4 , .
, 17 0 .

B yza n ti n i s che Z e i ts c hr i t G reek Gra mma r

f , ix 47 9
. X II .
34 3 . Cf .
.

In t r o d uc ti on , p p lx l x i
.
, .

5
Th es e c a no n s w e re a ls o fo ll o w ed i n t h e G ra e c o -L a i n Le i c o n t x
Dr . J am e s , ut s u
p ra p , .
40 7 .
1 36 R OG ER BA CON

vil e and im a gin ary autho r ity o f B rito E ve ry H e br a ist .

kn e w th at t h e B ook o f Lam e nt a tions was wr 1tt e n In H e br e w .

J e r o m e s r e m ark ap pli e d t o o n e v e rs e in t h e t e nth c hapt e r

’

o f J e r e mi a h ( v e rs e

B ac on r e p rodu c e s t h e v e rs e in t h e origin al Ar a m a i c with ,

a H e br e w t r a nsl a tion an d su ppli e s both with an int e r lin e a ry,

tr anslit e ra tion and a La tin t r a nsl ation H e obs e rv e s th at ?

Ch ald a e a n a n d H e br e w a r e m e r e ly di ffe r e nt di al e c ts o f th e
s am e l angu ag e wh e r e th e H ebr e w s a ys El ohi m for God l a ,

fo r n o and S a mayi m f or hea ven t h e Ch a ld ae an s a ys El a ha

, ,

f or God l a fo r ,
n o, a n d S a maya fo r hea ven ?

Th e r e mor e d at a by whi c h to g aug e Bac on s att a in ’

are

m e nts i m H e br e w We c annot t e ll wh e th e r h e r e aliz e d his

.

wish o f writing a H e br e w G ra m m ar but we know th at h e ,

a tt e m p t e d it Th e f r a g m e nt dis c ov e r e d by t h e R e v e r e nd
.

E Nol an in t h e Univ e rsity Libr a ry a t Ca mbridg e is um

.

doubt e dly his work Th e in c e ntive s to e nt e r z e alously ?

u pon t he study o f H e br e w we r e p ow e r ful for a m an o f

Bac on s fr a m e o f mind H e w as ac t u at e d a t t h e s am e tim e
’
.

by s c i e ntifi c r e ligious a nd mysti c al motive s S c i e n c e

, ,
.

dir e c t e d him to Gr e e k and Ar abi c r e ligion le d him mor e , ,

ove r t o H e br e w
, .

He wa s c onvin c e d th a t H e bre w wa s t h e l angu ag e in whi c h

God h ad r e ve al e d to m ankind His will and His wisdom .

Opus Ter ti um , vi .
4 38 ( B r e w e r) . Th e p a s sag e o c c u r s a l so i n t h e
Opus M af us , i i i . Th a tt t
p a ss a g e wa s t o mi e d b y B ri d g e s i n hi s fi r s

v o l um e ,b u t i n s e rt t a ry v olu m e pp 9 1 9 2
e d i n t h e s upp l e m e n , .
, ,

t o wh i c h a re d u c e d f a c s i m i l e f r o m t h e V a t i ca n M S f o rm s t h e .

f r o n t i s p i ec e Th a t ma n u sc ri p t g i v e s t h e w o r d s c o rr ec t ly e x c e p t
.

f or t h e o mi ssi o n o f t h e m 5x Th e Co tt on i a n M S gi v e s th e m i n a n . .

i rr e gu l a r ord e r r e d uc e d f a c si mi l e a pp e a r e d in S A H i rs ch
’

; a . . s

B ook f
o E s s ay s p , . 65 .

Th e p a ssa g e i n t h e To ul o u s e M S S e e B e rg e r
2
a pp ea r s .
, u t s up r a ,

la pr o mo n , et S a m ay a p ro c aelo .
’
Th u s i t o u gh t to re a d

i m C amp S tu d P hi l vi 4 39 ( B r e we r) Ci Op us M aj us 1 i ii
. . . . . .
, . .
72
( B ri d g e s) .

P ri n t ed t
af e r the G r ee k G r a mmar , pp . 1 9 8 —2 0 3 .
 PH I LOLO G Y 1 37

God has r e ve al e d philoso phy to His s aints to whom H e ,

a lso g a v e t h e L aw H e did so b e c a us e p hiloso p hy was indis

.

p e ns a bl e f o r t h e und e rst a nding t h e p rom ulg a tion t h e a do p , ,

tion and t h e de fe n ce o f t h e Law an d in m a ny othe r wa ys also

, ,
.

It wa s fo r this r e a son th at it was d e live r e d c o m pl e t e in a ll ,

its d e t ails in th e H e bre w l a ngu ag e

,
Th e whol e wisdom .
’

o f p hiloso p hy wa s give n by God who aft e r t h e c r e a tion o f , ,

t h e world d e liv e r e d it to t h e p a tri a rc hs a nd t h e p ro p h e ts

,
.

Th e y p oss e ss e d wi sdom in its e ntir e ty b e for e t h e i nfi d e l

s ag e s obt ain e d it su c h as t h e famous p o e ts or t h e Sibyls
, , ,

or t h e s e ve n wis e m e n or th e philoso ph e rs a ft e r th e m ,
.

All th e ir in form a tion about h e ave nly bodi e s a bou t t he ,

s e c r e ts o f n at ur e and t h e su pe rior s c i e n c e s a bout s e c ts God , , ,

Christi a nity t h e b e a uti e s o f virtu e a nd t h e r e c titud e o f

, ,

t h e La ws o f e t e rn a l r e w a rd a n d p unishm e nt r e surr e c tion

, ,

o f t h e d e a d a nd al l oth e r qu e stions w e r e d e rive d fro m God s

’

, ,

s a ints Th e philoso phe rs did not find th e m out God h ad

.

r e v e al e d t he m to His s a ints Ad am Solomon a nd t h e , ,

oth e rs t e stifie d to t h e truth o f t he faith not only in holy writ , ,

but also i m books o f philoso phy long b e for e the re we r e any ,

philoso p h e rs so c all e d Philoso p hy wa s d e ve lo pe d by

-
.
’ 2

No ah a nd his so us p a rti c ul a rly by Sh e m ; a nd a ll p hilo ,

so ph e r s an d gre a t p o e ts live d a ft e r th e m and aft e r Abr aha m ,

.

Z oro ast e r inv e nt e d th e m a gi c a rts h e wa s t h e son o f

-

H arn t h e son o f No ah IO who was aft e rwa rds c all e d Isis

, .
, ,

t h e d a ught e r o f I n a c hus t h e first king o f t h e Argive s a c o n , ,

t e m pora ry o f J ac ob a nd Es a u t a ught t h e Egypti ans to ,

writ e Min e rva t h e inv e ntre ss o f m any things live d about

.
, ,

t h e s a m e tim e Und e r Phorone us I n ac hus s son mor al ’

.
, ,

p hiloso phy was first introdu c e d a mong t h e h e a th e ns .

Prom e th e us was t h e first t e a c h e r o f philoso phy and his ,

brothe r Atl as t h e first gre a t a strologe r But h e was .

p r e ce d e d by t h e gr e a t a strono m e rs t h e s o us o f No a h a n d , ,

by Abra h am 5
.
’

In this wa y B ac on c on t inu e s t r ac ing t h e c h ai n o f

,

t r ansmission o f philoso phy b as e d up on t h e writi ngs o f ,

his pr e d e c e ssors m ixing u p bibli c a l a md mythologi cal “

p e r son a g e s a n d tr e ating th e m a ft e r t h e m e thod first intro

,

d uc e d by Euh e m e rus o f Cr e t e .

Opus Te r ti u m ,
x .
32 ( B re we r ) .

2
Ibid .
,
xx i v .
79 . Cf . ib i d .
,
v iii . 24 ; Camp . S tu d . T heol .
, 33
( Rash d al l ) .
5
O pus M aj us ( B ri d g e s ) i 4 6 , . .
 R OG E R B A CON

All this wisdom Bac on was fully pe rsuad e d e m an at e d

, ,

prim ar ily f ro m t h e wisdo m th a t was r e v e al e d by God in

H e bre w B e sid e s King Solomon who was the s e c ond
.
, ,

p ro m ulg a tor o f p hiloso p hy w as p oss e ss e d o f ,gr e a t w e a lth ,

a nd was thus e n a bl e d to c om pl e t e his philoso phi c a l

work in H e br e w No wond e r th e r e fore th at Ba con was
.
, ,

e a g e r to g ain a mor e intim at e knowle dge o f t he divin e

tongu e .

Th e re was anoth e r a s pe c t o f Ba c on s r e ligious convi c tions

’

whi c h turn e d his mind to H e bre w It was his disgust at t h e .

c orru p tions th a t h ad c r e p t into t h e t e xt o f t h e B ibl e i e ,

. .

t h e V ulg a t e whi c h c onsists o f t h e La tin tr a nsl a tion o f t h e

,

S e ptu agint tr ansl ation o f th e Ps alms and o f J e rom e s ,

’

tr a nsl ation Of all oth e r books The t e xt was ove rrun .

with e rrors amd worst o f all in th e Pa risi an c o p y The

,
.

e ra di c a tion o f e rrors from th a t tr a nsl a tion was c onsid e r e d

t ant a mount to t h e purging o f th e t e xt o f t he B ible

E ve n at t h e p r e s e nt d a y t h e t e rm B ibli c a l c riti c ism
whi c h d e not e s quit e a diffe r e nt pro ce dure is som e tim e s ,

a p pli e d to t h e corre c tion o f J e rom e s tr a nsl ation Be for e

’
.

B ac on s tim e th e r e h ad b e e n no l ac k o f Correctori a whi c h

’

a tt e m p t e d to r e stor e t h e origin a l f orm o f t h e t e xt It

s e e ms th a t in B ac on s tim e the s e a tt e m pts ran riot He
’
.

c o m pl a ins th at e v e rybody int e r fe r e d with t h e t e xt whe n

e v e r a ny o ne did not und e rst a nd it h e a lt e r e d it B oth t h e
,
.

c orr e c tion a nd t h e und e rst a nding o f t h e t e xt i m pe r a tiv e ly

d e m and e d t he study o f t he origin al l anguag e s .

Th e mysti c al e l e m e nt i m B a c on s n a tur e a lso turn e d him

’

to t h e study o f Gr e e k and much mor e so to th at o f H e bre w

, , ,
.

i mp ort ant myst e ri e s we re c on c e al e d in th e num e ri c a l

value s o f t he l e tt e rs t he s p iritu al m e aning o f t h e t e xt
wa s indissolubly bound up with t h e lit e r a l s e ns e a md both ,

suffe re d e qu ally i f t he t e xt was c orru pt in most parts and

dubious in m any oth e rs ?

Vi de s u pra p
, . 10 9 .
2
Opu s M i n us p 34 9 , . .
1 40 R OG ER BA CON

be orr e c t or not
c h e must h a v e h a d su c h books at his
—

dis p os al at a l at e r d at e for th e Correctari um dis pl ays an ,

intim at e ac quai mt amc e with works o f th at kind I ts author .

h ad r e a d t h e Ta rgum ( t h e old Ar a m ai c tr a nsl ation ) he

quot e s t h e P erus t h e Comm e nt ary by whi c h h e e ith e r
'

me ant th at o f R ashi or t h e c om m e nt ary whi c h e xist e d

,

b e for e him and was known unde r t h e n ame o f P erus H e

,
‘

kn e w th e Mahb e re t Me n ahe m b e n S a ruk s H e b re w l e xi c on

,
’
.

H e h ad c ons ult e d th e H e br e w m anus c ri pts o f S p a in an d ,

distingu ishe d b e twee n m od e rn H e br e w t e xts old ,

H e bre w m anus c r i pts o f Fr an c e and old H e bre w m anu ,

s c ri p ts of S pa in .

It is unthink a bl e th a t Bac on e nj oying t h e p e rson a l ,

a c q ua i m t a mc e o f a s c hol a r o f su c h e min e n c e a nd b e nt u p on ,

t h e s am e p u r suits should not h a v e b e ne fi t e d by t h e o pp or

,

t uni ty a n d m a d e hims e l f ac qu a int e d with so m e o f t h e

,

so u r c e s whi c h t h e s c hol ar h e so m u c h a dmire d h ad m ad e

u se o f I t was only int e r c ours e with J e ws th at c ould h a v e
.

brought su c h works to t h e noti c e of th at a uthor and Bac on ,

m ad e am pl e us e o f th at s am e m e dium o f in form ation . .

This vi e w is in t h e s e c ond pl a c e si n gul a rly su pp ort e d by t h e

, ,

l att e r p ortion o f t h e afore m e ntion e d Toulous e m anu s c ri pt -

.

I t c ont a ins a c oll e c tion o f l e tt e rs in whi c h a qu e stion e r or , ,

som e qu e stion e rs ask for inform a tion on H e br e w s ubj e c ts

, ,

a n d a re a nsw e r e d by t h e oth e r c orr e s ond e nt Th e que stion e rs

p .

did no t know muc h H e br e w so m e did not e v e n know t he ,

H e br e w l e tt e rs I t was quit e di ffe r e nt with t he r e s pond e nt

. .

H e not only kn e w H e br e w but h e also quot e s t h e R a bbis , ,

e s p e c i ally R ashi Be rg e r do e s not ve ntur e to s ay th at this

.

s c hol ar who was c onsult e d as an orac l e was Rog e r B acon ,

although th e r e are m any almost verbati m pa r all e ls in t he

l att e r s acknowl e dg e d writings But i f n ot Bac on it was

’
.
,

so m e o ne so c los e ly c onn e ct e d with him th at h e might e asily

On W i l li a m d e la Ma r e , see M r Li tt l e
.
’
s Grey F r i a rs i n Oxf or d ,
p . 2 15 f .
 PH ILOLOGY 1 41

be t ake n fo r him B oth De nifle and Be rg e r c am e to t he c o n

.

e lusion th a t t h e r e s pond e nt was th e F r an c isc a n fri a r Willi a m ,

d e la Ma r e whom th e y i d e nt ifi e d at th e s am e tim e W ith

,

Bac on s hama s api e nti ss i mus a nd th e a uthor o f t he Correc

’

l ar i a m Va ti ca n um If Willi am d e l a Ma r e was th e re s po n
.

de nt it is c le a r th at B ac on h ad b e e n t h e m ast e r who was

,

m ainly r e s ponsibl e fo r th e l e arning dis pl a ye d in the l e tt e rs .

Th e c on c u rre n c e o f t h e r e s p ons e s with m a ny p ass a g e s i m

B ac on s works is too obvious to doubt it An d how c an
’
.

w e b e c e rt a i n th at t h e l e a rn e d c o rre s pond e nt wa s not t h e

m ast e r hi m s e l f
Roge r Bac on d e als in his Opus M ajus ( iv) e l abo ra t e ly
, ,

with t he subj e c t o f lunati ons and e x pl ains th at t h e J e ws

‘

us e d the Me tonic c yc l e o f 1 9 ye ars or 2 35 lun ations and t he , ,

m e an lun ation was the r e fore 2 9 d a ys 1 2 hours am { % , ,

9
5 8

Of an hour H e a dd e d a H e br e w t able whi c h h as not b e e n

.
,

p r e s e rv e d a n d is
,
f ull o f p r a is e f o r t h e J e wish wa y o f fi x i n
g
t h e c a l e nd a r I n t h e Toulous e m a nus c ri p t it is s a id th at
.

t h e c a l e nd a r and t h e lun ations h a d b ee n m or e fully inve sti

g at e d by t he J e ws t h an by the Gr e eks or th e Ar abs He .
,

t h e r e s p ond e nt h ad h ad som e H e br e w books s e nt him fr om

,

G e rm any by a l e a rn e d Jew who kn e w him only by r e put a ,

tion and with whom he c a rri e d on a r e gul a r c orre s ponde nc e

,

in H e bre w I f this was writt e n by B ac on hims e l f it would

.
,

c orrobora t e h is st at e m e nt th a t h e was a bl e to wr it e H e bre w .

The r e s pond e nt pro ce e ds to s ay th a t th e s e books we r e c o m

p os e d by Abr a h a m t h a t th e y c ont ,
a in e d m u c h in f or m a tion ,

a nd we re p rovid e d with m any t abl e s Th e y we r e mor e .

us e ful on a stronomi c a l s ubj e c ts than any whi c h h e h ad s e e m

b e for e He h ad long d e si re d to p oss e ss su c h J e wish books
.
,

a nd h ad writt e n to a c e r t a in Je w i mT ol e do in S pa in whom , ,

h e kn e w to pro c ure th e m fo r him but in th a t c ity no c o m

, ,

p l e t e c o p y c ould b e f ound B e r g e r c onj e c tur es th a t t he

.

b o o k o n t he ne w moon was t h e Ki ddu ä H a hadeä, a tr e a tis e

_ _

on th e c al e nd ar forming a portion o f one of the l a rge r works

'

,
1 42 R OG E R B A CON

of Mai m onid e s Ab rah am m e ntion e d h e re m ust h ave

. Th e
b e e n Ab rah a m b ar H ij a t h e author o f S ef er H a i bbur ,
-
‘
.

All this c o ul d ve ry w e ll h ave b e e n writt e n by Rog e r

B a c on a n d s e rve a s e vid e n c e how h a r d h e tri e d t o obt ain
,

books and how s t r ong his d e sire was to obt ain inform ation
,

f rom t h e J e ws I t wo uld show a t t h e s am e tim e his a c q u a i m

.

t a mc e with su c h H e b re w works as are nowh e r e m e ntion e d

in his known writings B ut s upp os e t h e c orre s pond e nt to.

h a ve b e e n his pu pil t h e o ne pa ss ag e on th e c al e nd a r suffi

,

c i e nt ly indi c a t e s t h e sour c e w he n c e h e h a d dr a wn his i nfor

m ation And it was only fro m J e wish stud e nts Of Maimo

.

nid e s works th a t this wr it e r c ould h a ve known o f t h e

’

division o f th e P e nt a t e u c h al inj un c tions into l aws t e sti

moni e s j udg e m e nts a nd p re c e pts I t is f urth e r not e
worthy th at th e s e l e tt e rs c ont a in t he Aram ai c ve rs e in
J e re m i ah t r a nslit e rat e d a nd tra nsl at e d into H e br e w an d
,

La tin in t h e s am e wa y a s we find it in t h e Opus M ajus .

Th e d e s c ri p tion o f t h e H e br e w fin al l e tt e rs ( men a perta men ,

cl a us a & c ) is id e nti c a l with th a t in t h e fr agm e nt o f Bac on s

’
.
,

H ebr e w Gra mm ar as are also a fe w o th e r gramm ati cal points

, .

But a p art fro m su c h indir e c t e vid e n c e B ac on s ac know

’

l e dg e d works a m p ly show th at h e was c om pe t e nt to s atis fy

his own d e m ands on a thi rd r amk and e ve n a s e c ond r ank -
,
-

H e b re w s c hol ar Although h e h as add e d nothing to t he

.

sto c k o f in form ation and n ot a singl e obs e rvation o f his

,

c an p e r h ap s b e c a ll e d origin al h e ye t s p e aks with a uthority , ,

a n d knowl e dg e o f t h e subj e c t wh e n h e e x pl a ins d e riv a tions ,

o f words f rom t h e H e br e w or e x pos e s blund e rs m ade by

,

som e s c hol ars Th at h e h ad a good motion o f H e br e w

.

gr amm ar is s uffi c ie mtly prove d by his r e m arks in t he third

book o f t he Opus M ajus a nd by th e fragm e nt O f a H ebr e w ,

Gr am m a r dis c ove re d in Camb ridg e .

‘

I n t h e l att e r Bacon giv e s t h e n am e s o f t h e l e tt e rs o f

G ree k G ra mma r , pp . 199 —2 0 8 . Cf . H i rsc h , A B ook f

o E ss ays ,

pp .
58 fl .
 1 44 R OG ER B A CO N

He s rib e s to suc h s e c r e tive n e ss t he c ir c umst an c e th a t

a c

B ab e l is c a ll e d Sé äak ac c ording to t he e x pl a n a tion give n ,

by J e ro me who h a d hims e l f followe d t he R a bbis He fully

,
.

und e rstood t h e s c he m e o f tr ans position o f the l e tt e rs o f t he

H e bre w al ph ab e t on whi c h this int e r pr e t ation re sts .
‘

As in Gre e k so in his tra nslit e r a tion of H e bre w words

,

B ac on g a ve t he La tin vow e ls t h e sounds whi c h th e y h a ve

on t h e Contin e nt The H e br e w vowe ls he obs e rve s h a ve
.
, ,

t h e sounds qui nque vocali um n astraru m a e i a u im plying , , , , , ,

t h e sounds th e s e l e tt e rs h a v e a bro a d .

I n H e br e w th e r e are two p rin c i p a l styl e s o f pronunci a tion

,

t he S ephardi c whi c h was in vogu e in S p a in Portug a l It aly

, , , ,

a nd t h e Ea st a nd t h e A s hke nazi in us e in c e ntr a l north e a st

, , ,
-
,

a nd w e st e rn E uro p e Bac on follows on t h e whol e t he .

, ,

f orm e r m od e o f r e a ding whi c h h e m u st h a ve d e riv e d p a rtly ,

f rom J e ws a nd p a rtly from J e rom e s c omm e nt a ri e s Might

’
.
,

he not p e rh ap s h av e s e e n a c o p y o f t h e H exa pl a o f whi c h

, ,
2

h e give s so a cc ura t e a d e s c ri p tion a n d b e e n p artly guid e d ,

b y t h e tr a nslit e r a tion f ound th e r e H e tr a nslit e r at e s

3 3 3 3 3 into ba be bi ba bu ; on c e o nly 71 and to
, , , , , , , ,

a r e re n d e r e d i n t h e Cottoni a n m a nus c r i p t hei s a nd tei s in

a ll oth e r c a s e s th e y ar e d e s c rib e d as cheth an d te th a nd we ,

a lwa ys find be t a n d ta v Wh at e ve r pronun c i ation t h e J e ws o f

.

Engl a nd m a y h a ve us e d b e for e t h e Ex p ulsion it is e vid e nt th a t ,

thos e c onsult e d by Bac on h ad th e S ephardi c mode o f r e a ding .

It h as alr e a dy b e e n noti c e d th at Bac on c o nsid e r e d it in

t h e light o f a r e ligious duty to utiliz e H e br e w a nd Gr e e k
towards th e e st ablishm e nt amd unde rst anding o f an authe nti c
t e xt O f t he V ulg at e tr ansl ation He s e ts forth tha t J e rom e .

G ree k Gra mma r , p . 20 6 Op u s M i n u s pp 3 5 0 ff , . . Th e sche me i s

3 D n f 1 n WJ 3 N
5n : o y e s p mwn
Opu s M i n us ( B r e we r) Or i gen e s f a mos i s s i mos li br os
2
, p .
337
co mp o su i t , i n qui bu s opu s i n terp re ti s cuj u s cu n qu e de s cr i ps i t u t ,

p r i ma i p sa H e bra i c a H e bra i ci s li ter i s p on er e t s e cun da l oco pe r ord i n e m ,

Gr a ec i s l i ter i s H e bra i ca ver ba d e s cr i be r e t & c

, .
 PH ILOLOGY 1 45

r e fe rre d in his e x positions to H e bre w and Gre e k at almost

e ve ry word and was a lwa ys at pa ins to d e monstr at e his
,

e x e ge ti c a l r e m arks by t h e l a ngu ag e s Bac on h ad a d opt e d ‘

.

this princ i pl e and a dhe r e d pe rsist e ntly to it His intim at e

, .

a c qu a int a n c e with t h e t e xt o f t h e H e bre w B ibl e is e s pe

c i ally c ons p i c uous in a p ass a g e O f t h e O us M ajus in

p
2
,

which he re c t i fies som e o f th e inn um e r able e rrors o f t he

Pa ris t e xt parti c ul arly in t he m att e r o f figure s e g that
, ,
. .

Arp ahs ad live d a ft e r t h e birth o f Se l a h 30 3 ye a rs inst e a d ,

o f 40 3 y e a rs ; 0 1 th at Re u liv e d 35 y e a r s inst e ad o f 32
‘

y e ars &c The whol e p ass ag e is as Mr B ridg e s justly

, .
, .

r e m arke d o ne o f t he m any proo fs o f the c are with whi c h

,

B ac on h ad co ll a t e d t he S e p tu a gint and t he H e br e w t e xt
’
.

Muc h in a dva n c e o f his age as Bac on was h e h ad ye t as

'

little id e a o f mod e rn Bibl e c riti c ism as h e had o f mode rn

c om p a ra tive philology He urg e d t he n e c e ssity o f H e br e w
.

for th e c orre c t und e rst a nding o f t he B ibl e but he did no t ,

for a mom e nt a dmit th at it wa s allowa bl e to a lt e r a wo rd o f

*

t h e V ulg at e e ve n a t th e inst a n c e o f a c om p arison with t h e

,

origin al He c ould not h ave ap prove d o f St e phe n H arding s

.
'

m e thod o f puri fying th e t e xt The l att e r kne wno H e bre w ;

.

an d th e re fore c onsult e d t h e R abbis ; and h e e r as e d fro m

t h e Latin t e xt all su c h p ass ag e s a nd ve rs e s as w e re n ot

found in t h e origin al Th e Carrectori um P a ri si ense was t h e
.

work o f Hugo d e S Caro a man thoroughly fa mil i a r wit h

‘ °
,

t h e H e bre w l angu ag e who all a long r e fe rs c ons c i e ntiousl y

,

to t he H e bre w Th e Do m ini cans c ontinu e d his l abours i n

.
,

whic h the y also dis pl a ye d tol e rabl e knowle dg e o f H e bre w .

B ut B ac on did n o t a pp rov e o f su c h m e thods to him it was

not corr e c ting th e t e xt but c orru pting it and m aking i t
, ,

in c urabl e fo r it was not t he que stion o f a pplying H e bre w or

Gr e e k but o f t h e r e stor ation o f J e ro m e s t e xt
,
’
.

I t was in this s pirit th a t t h e a uthor o f t he Carrectori um

Opu s M i n us p 34 9 , .
( B r e we r).

2
i 2 2 1 ( B ri d g e s)
. .

L
1 46 R O G ER B A CON

Vati canum— wh ethe r h e was 0 1 was not the hama sapi enti s
s i ma s or Willi am d e l a Ma r e pronoun c e d t h e w arning
—

th at o ne must no t b e unfaithful to t h e Latin t e xt on

‘

t h e t e stimony o f t h e H e br e w or t h e Gr e e k He o ppo s e d
t h e c orre c tors e s pe c i ally Hugo d e S Ca ro who alt e r e d t h e
‘ °
, ,

La t i n on t h e sol e a uthority o f t he H e br e w without t h e ,

su pp ort o f t h e m anus c ri pts and in t he s am e s e ns e he s aid ,

B e w a r e o f att ac hing yours e lv e s too mu c h to t h e J e ws ?

This prin c i pl e not to b e i nflue nc e d by t h e H e br e w to su c h
,

a l e ngth as to m e ddl e with J e rom e s t e xt c los e ly link e d

’

B a c on to t h e a uthor o f th a t Carrectori u m I n a dh e r e n c e .

to this prin c i pl e Bac on pra is e s and s c olds at t he s am e tim e

,

a c e rt a in Andr e w A dreas qui da m) whom h e c onsid e rs to

( n ,

h ave sinn e d in th at way I c onsid e r him to b e ide nti c al with

.
‘

t h e E nglishm a n Andr e w a m A ugustini an monk who liv e d

, ,

about 1 1 5 0 h e was a p u pil o f Hugo d e S V i c t ore a nd is

‘ °
,

s aid to h ave writt e n l e a rn e d comm e nt ari e s on t h e Bibl e and

t h e A po c ryph a ? Bac on dis c uss e s t he a mbiguity o f t h e
La tin tr ansl a tion o f G e n e sis 11 1 2 Th e La tin words may
.
, .

b e f orc e d to me an : Th e s e are t h e g e n e r a tions o f h e av e n

and e a rth wh e n th e y w e re c r e a t e d on t h e d ay wh e n God ,

m ad e h e a ve n and e arth And all th e ve g e t ation o f t he fi e ld

.

h ad no t c om e forth ye t &c Or th e y m ay m e a n Th e s e
’
.
,

a re t h e g e n e r a tions &c
, on t h e d ay whe n God m ad e
he ave n amd e arth and t he ve ge t ation o f t he fi e ld be fo r e it ,

h ad c om e f orth on t he e arth and all t h e h e rbs o f t h e fi e ld

,

be for e the y we re grown B acon conside rs t he l att e r m e an

.
’

ing to b e more in ac cord an c e with t he Latin but it would ,

c ontr a dict t h e n a rr ative o f t h e first ch a t e r o f G e n e sis

p He .

s a ys th at in t he phr as e omne vi rgultum agri antequa m ari retur

i n terra t h e words omne vi rgultum we r e in t h e nomin a tive ,

a nd in t h e s e nt e n c e amnem ue herbam r egi oni s pr i u squa m

q
germi naret t h e word terra h ad to b e su ppli e d or und e rstood

Comp S tud P hi l
. . v ii i .
48 2 f .

2
H i rs c h A B ook of E s s ay s p p
, , . 11
1 48 R O G ER BA CON

such absurditi e s in his usu al robust style for inst a nc e as ,

h as a lre a dy b e e n r e m ark e d wh e n Hugut i o a nd B rito and ,

oth e r idioti c grammarmongers e x pl ain arraban amd Gehenna

as a r ra bona a m d ge enn os All th e s e inst anc e s e xhibit Bac on
.

a s a thorough H e br ew schol a r Thé g re at e r pa rt of th e m .

re fe r to misund e rstood pass age s in t he writings o f the

e xe g e t e s e s p e c i al ly thos e o f J e rom e
, .

I n o n e c as e howe ve r h e d is c a rds h is usu a l bitt e rn e ss a nd

, ,

c ontum e ly a nd is e v e ma t p ains to p a lli a t e t he fa ult a nd no

'

wond er ! It is t hi s tim e a n e rror comm itt e d by mo l e ss

“

a p e rson t h an P a pe Gr e go ry t he Gr e a t B ac on h e ld Pa pe .

Gr e gory in gr e at ve n e r ation and fully b e lie ve d that t he ,

l a tt e r s works whi c h we re aft e r his d e ath i md ange r o f b e ing

’

, , ,

burne d we re s a ve d by a b e a uti ful mir ac l e o f God

,

Po pe Gre gory h ad quot e d Job xlii 4 thus And h e c all e d .

t h e n a m e o f o n e D i es a nd t h e s e cond Casi a a n d t h e third

, ,

Cornusti bi i Th e s e ar e m e a nt to b e t h e r e nd e rings o f
’
.

t h e H e br e w n am e s Q s i a h Ye mi ma and Keren H a ppu k

’

, ‚ , ,

( HV YP ID D2 “iBfl hp) Gr e gory thought Cornusti bi i

' ‘ '
, . .

Carnus ti bi i a c om p oun d o f two words d e moting music al

,

instrum e nts ( trurnpe t fife ) amd obs e rve s th at -

,

the tr ansl ator rightly took c ar e no t to ins e rt the s e n ame s

as th e y a r e f oun d in t h e Ar a bi c but to show th e ir m e a ning ,

m ore p l a inly by tr a nsl a ting t h e m into Latin For who do e s .

not know th a t D i es and Casi a are Lat in words But as to

Cor n usti bi i — al though it is not cor nu s but c ornu a nd t h e ,

i
p p e o f t h e si n g e rs is c a ll e d ti bi a a n d not ti bi u m— I su os
pp e
h e pr e fe rr e d to st at e t h e thing as it was without k e e ping
t h e g e nd e r o f t h e word i n t h e La tin and to p r e s e rve t h e ,

e c uli a rity o f t h e l a ngu ag e from which h e tr a nsl a t e d 0 1

p .

a lso sin c e h e form e d o ne c om p ound word out o f t h e two

,

cor n u and ti bi a— h e was a t lib e rty to put both words whi ch ,

a re tr a nsl a t e d into La t i n by o ne p a rt o f s pe e c h in wh a t e v e r ,

g e nd e r h e like d
B ac on s ays th at it was c l e a r to a ny o ne a bl e to c om pa r e
2

Opu s M afu s , I . i . 19 ( B ri d g e s ) .

Comp S tud P hi l vi 144 0 ( B r e w e r )

2
. . . . .
,
 PH ILOLOGY 49

t he origin al H ebr ew th at the t e xt us e d by the Po pe was ,

corrupt tha t t he s e c ond part o f the c om pound word was

s ti bi i a n d no t ti bii th at t he n am e was Carmi sti bi i m eaning
'

, ,

a h am or r e c e p t a c l e fo r stibium Ba con c orr e ctly tr a c e s .

t he e tym ology o f t h e n ame from t h e H e br e w a nd a dds th at

'

t h e t e rm us e d h e r e was t h e s a m e as 2 Kings ix 30 wh e r e .
,

we are told th at J e z e b e l dy e d h e r e ye s wi th stibium Ba con .

finds e xcus e s for t he Po pe t h e hol y man s tim e Was fully ’

oc c u pi e d and h e h ad not the l e isure to c oll at e many co pie s

,

o f th e Bibl e to see wh at t h e Gre e k and H e br e w t e xts O ffe r e d .

Bac o n r é s e rve s t he indign ation whi c h h e c ould not ve ut

on th e Pape for t he c rowd o f mod e rn the ologi ans who ‘
'

dis put e d a bout things th e y d id not und e rst and and pe rsist e d ,

in d e fe nding Gregory s 1 e hde ri mg ’

Bac on fe ll hi ms e l f o cca si on ally though v e ry r ar e ly into

"

, ,

e rrors o f t h e s am e d e s c ri p tion Thus h e wa rns his r e a d e rs .

not to c on found Hor e b t h e mount ain o f God wi th t he , ,

ston e Or e b in R phi di m from which Mos e s h ad d ra wn

‘ ’

w at e r t h e form e r n am e b e ing writt e n with a H eth but not ,

t h e l a tt e r As a m att e r o f fac t t he l att e r n am e is also

.
,

writt e n with a n ( Exod xvii a nd B a con e vi d e ntly . .

c on fus e d th a t rock with t h e rock o f Or e b W)? o f

‘

Judg e s vii .

B acon nowh e r e m e ntions t h e He b re w a cc e nt s by name j

,

t he toni c a cce nts as th e y are c a ll e d As in Gr e e k he r e fe rs .

,

a lso to acc e m t u at i o n a s pir ation p unctu a tion a md prosody , , ,

in r e g ard to H e bre w He s a ys th at t he He bre w t e xt c on .

t ai ne d m an y kinds o f m e tr e and c om pl a ins th at t h e La tin ,

Opus M aj a s , 1 32 7 ( B r id g e s)
. iv . .

2
In th e C ompen d i um S tu d i i P hi los ophi a e ,
v ii .
44 5 , we read

H i ere mi a s ,
H i e r i co ,
H i erus a le m ,
H i erony mus et huj us mod i d e be nt
as p i r a r i i n p r i n c i p i o Th i s s e e m s a t rs si gh. t o b e a n e rr o r s uc h , fi t t , ,

w t
a s h e a l a y s c e n s u r es i n o h e r s f o r h o w d o e s t h e n ame H i e r ony mu s ,

co me t o b e i n c l ud e d i n a lis t m e s d e ri v e d f r o m t h e H e b r e w
o f na

B ut t h e s e n e nc e t is an a bb r e v i a t e d r e p r o d u c t i o n o f Op u s Te r ti u m ,

l xi . 2 47 , a n d is o ut o f p lac e h e re .
I SO R OG ER BA CON

transl ators l ac ke d th at s e ns e for music whi c h was poss e ss e d

by t he pa tri arc hs and t he pro phe ts The only way in .

whi c h th e ologians could obt ain a knowle dge of H e bre w

m e tre s amd rhythm s was by r e curring to the H e bre w
origin al and by studying th at br an c h o f musi c
, .

B ut th e r e is e vid e n c e to show th at B acon kn e w t he

a c c e nts On m e ntionin g J e rom e s e tymology o f the nam e
’
.

o f I sr ae l as d e moting Mast e r with God and not as othe rs

,

b efor e J e rome had e x pl aine d it as a man who s aw God

Bacon e nt e rs into t h e r e asons whi c h prov e t he l att e r d e riv a ,

tion to b e unt e n abl e Sin c e I s m e ant man Ra s ee ing

.
-
‘

El God th e s e c omm e nt ators thought t h e pa tri arc h s name

’

t o be a c om pound o f th e s e thr ee words J e rom e Bac on .

,

s a ys rightly obj e ct e d to this d e rivation b e c a us e th e name

, ,

c ont ain e d t h e fi ve l e tt e rs I od Si n Resh A l eph Lamet , , , , ,

m aking up t he n am e SR 1W' Isr ae l The othe r c om pound '

,
.
’

would h a ve to c ons ist o f e ight l e tt e rs : A leph l ad S i n , , ,

’
Res h A l eph He A leph La met f or m ing t h e word 7NHNW
, , , , W& ’
,

This wo uld b e I se rae l a word o f f our syll abl es wh e r e a s t he ‚

n am e h ad only thr e e b e c aus e a dot und e r a l e tt e r de not e d

,

t h e vow e l i two ( horizont al ) dots e and a strok e with a dot

, ,

und e r it a ; but t h e strong e st argum e nt was the s e ns e o f

t h e word whi c h is e x pl a ine d in t h e ve rs e its e l f
, B a con .

illustr at e s this furthe r by r e produ c ing the whol e ve rs e i m

H e br e w The Cottoni an m anus c ri pt not o nl y give s t he
.

vowe l points but also most o f the acc e nts Now it is w e ll

, .

known th at t he c o pyists did not much r e lish co pying Gr e e k ,

much l e ss c o p ying H e br e w and su pplying o f the ir own fr e e ,

will a H e br e w t e xt with acc e nts must h ave b een th e l ast

thing any o f the m would ha ve dre am e d o f doing We may .

th e re fore s afe ly assu me th a t B ac on hims el f h ad add e d

the m H e d e alt with this point in t he Opus M ajus ; and in
.

t h e Compendi um S tudi i P hi losophi a e wh e r e h e re pe ats t h e ,

Opu s M j us 1 i v 2 37 ( B i d g es ) ; Opus Terti u m l x i v 2 6 7

a ,
. . r , .

( B re w e ) H eb e w G mmar p
r r8 ra , . 20 .
 THE PLACE
'
‘

OF
B A CON IN TH E
RO GE R
H I STO R Y OF MA THE MATIC S

BY DA V ID E UG ENE S MITH

I . VARIOUS TYP ES OF G E N I US I N T HE H I STO RY OF

MATHEMATI CS
'

WHEN we consid e r t he n am e s th a t st a nd out promin e ntly

in t h e history o f m ath e m ati c s we find th at t h e type o f
,

g e nius havi mg plac e up on this parti c ul a r 1 0 11 o f honour is

'

ve ry far from b e ing uni form Not e ve ry man whos e n am e

.

is he r e r e cord e d was a pro found m ath e m ati c i an for Pl ato has ,

a m e rit e d p l ac e only b e c a us e h e l aid d e e p t h e f ound ations

o f t h e s c i e nc e .No t e v e ry o ne was m ast e r o f his s ubj e c t ,

fo r Th al e s r a nks high a lthough his knowl e dg e ma y h ave

,

c ov e r e d l e ss th a n a h al f doz e n o f t h e th e or e m s o f g e om e try
—
.

Som e are th e r e b e c a us e t h e y we r e gr e at t e ac he rs and

ins pire d th e ir pupils to high a c hi e ve m e n t as was t h e c as e ,

with Pyth agor as at Cro t o ma Oth e rs are known for c om pil a

.

tions o f th e works Of th e ir pr e d e c e ssors a s wi tn e ss Eu c lid

, ,

t h e author o f t h e Elements One m a n wil l b e known fo r

.

p ur e th e o ry , a s w a s A p olloni u s o f P e rg a whil e a noth

, e r lik e ,

A rc him e d e s wil l b e e st e e m e d c hi e fly b e c au s e h e put t h e

,

th e ory o f m ath e m a ti c s into pr ac ti c e No t e ve r y o ne who

.

holds an honour e d pl ac e c r e at e d a n e w s c i e n c e as Ne wt o n
did wh e n h e stood on t h e sho uld e rs o f gi a nts o r De s c art e s ,

wh e n he l aid aside his work in philoso phy to wr it e his littl e

c l assi c o m g e o m e try or t h e youth ful G al ois wh e n h e first
,

im agine d t h e th e ory o f grou ps .

I t is n e c e ss a ry th at we k e e p this fa c t in mind wh e n a sking

ours e lve s wh e th e r Rog e r Bac on d e s e rve s to r amk a mong thos e
who h ave m ad e t he s c i e n c e o f m ath e m ati c s wh at it is to d ay -
.
1 54 R OG E R B A CO N

Unle ss we do this we sh all l ac k th at judi c i al a ttitud e o f

mind whi c h is n e c e ss ary fo r a j ust con c lusion It is this .

l ack whi c h l e a ds som e writ e rs to b e s e ve r e to th e point o f

injusti ce in th e ir j udg e m e nt o f the Middle Ag e s and oth e rs to ,

b e e nthusi a sti c to t he p oint o f illusion a nd th a t might e asily

,
‘

l e a d us to dismiss t he name o f B acon as unworthy o f s erious

c onsid e r a tion in t h e history o f this br a n c h o f knowl e dg e .

II . THE P RO BLEM TO B E CONS I DERE D

Th e probl e m sugg e st e d by t he titl e o f this p ape r is not
m e re ly to find wh at Bac on kne w o f m ath e m ati c s and in ,

p a rti c ul a r wh a t h e m a y h a v e discov e r e
. d I t is quit e as

muc h to c o nsid e r t he m athe m atic s o f his tim e th e st at e o f ,

t he s c i e n ce a t P a ris wh e r e h e studi e d and at Ox f ord wh e r e

,

h e imbib e d his first knowl e dg e a nd wh e r e h e s pe nt so m any

ye ars in t e ac hing ; to e x amin e th e works o f his c ont e m
p ora r i e s a n d p a ss j udg e m e nt u p on t h e c ontributions whi ch

t h e Gold e n Era o f t h e Middl e Ag e s m a d e to t h e r e n a iss a n c e

o f l e arning . We must c onsid e r t he r a ng e o f B ac on s know ’

l e dg e t h e at mos phe re in whi c h h e work e d his a ppre e i at i on

, ,

o f m a th e m a ti c s a nd t h e e fforts p ut f orth by him to e l e v a t e

,

t he s c i e n c e as w e ll as his own c ontributions to its a dv a n c e

,
.

It is only by t a king su c h a vi e w o f t he p robl e m th a t we sh all

b e in a p osition to w e igh f or m ath e m a ti c s t h e j usti c e o f
, ,

t h e titl e whi c h the world b e stow e d u p on him t h e titl e whi c h

,

r a nks him as Do c tor Mir abilis in t h e dom ain o f sci e nc e .

I II TH E MATH EM ATI CS TIM E

’
. OF BACO N S

Wh at e ve r may b e our j udg e m e nt as to t he pue rility o f t he

m athe m atics o f the thirt ee nth c e ntury it is we ll agre e d that
,

t h e c e ntury its e l f r e pr e s e nts t h e r e a w ak e ning o f t h e world

a ft e r a l o ng p e r iod o f int e ll e c tu a l tor p or . Th e univ e rs al
Z e itge ist was showing its e l f e ve n in t he Far East i ma r e m ark
abl e r e viv a l o f t h e study o f alg e br a in Chin a ; it was in
A c h a a t i s t i c n o t e d b y M Ch arl e s i n hi s Li fe o f B ac o n
r c er . .
 1 56 R OG E R BA CON

A lgari smo, which did so m u c h t o p o pul ariz e t he new arith

m e ti c and his works De S phaera and D e Camputa Ecclesi a s
,

ti co we r e a lso we ll known V inc e nt d e B e auva is who die d .

,

in 1 2 6 5 wa s working on his Quadruple M i roi r in Bac on s

,
’

stud e nt d a ys giving in this humble fore m nner o f t h e

, ,

M arga ri ta P hi l osophi ca som e po p ul ar knowl e dg e o f th e ,

vari ous br an c h e s o f m ath e m ati c s About this pe riod the r e .

we r e also writt e n t h e old e st m anus c ri pts e xt a nt in t h e

Fr e n c h l a nguag e th at e x pl ain th e Hindu Ar abi c num e r als -
,

num e r als whi c h we re alre ady b eginning to attr ac t mo littl e

a tt e ntion in I t aly One P e trus d e Mah arnc uri a in Pi c ardy
.
,
‘
,

is also m e ntion e d by Ba c on with t h e st at e m e nt th at h e ,

was o ne o f t h e two l e ading m ath e m ati c i ans o f his tim e but ,

no m athe m atic al works o f im p ort a nc e h e ar out this tribut e ,

an d h e is now known only fo r his work on t h e m agn e t a n d for

a fe w r e fe r e n c e s in o n e o f t h e books o f his E nglish a dmir e r ?

Nor wa s G e rm any b e hind in h e r e n c our a g e m e nt o f

m ath e m ati c s in t h e thirt e e nth c e ntury Jord amus Ne mora .

ri us ap pe ars to h ave writt e n his A lgori smus demonstratus

5
,

A r i thmeti ca d ecem l i bri s demon s tra ta ,

Tr a cta tu s de S pha era ,
a nd D e Tri a ngul i s his mor e im p ort ant Tr a ctatus de
, a nd

N umeri s d ati s whil e Bac on wa s ye t a youth,

Alb e rtus .

Magnus ( 1 1 93 or 1 2 0 5 a D omini c a n in his l a t e r y e a rs ,

B isho p o f R e g e nsburg t a ught m a th e m ati c s a nd m e dicin e ,

at P a du a an d m e t ap hysi c s in v a rious p l ac e s
, a nd was ,

l e c turing on di al ec ti c s at P a ris in Bac on s tim e He rmannus ’

.

Al e mannus o ne o f t h e first o f t h e G e rm ans to b e int e r e st e d

,

M é ri c o u t H e w as a l so k n o w n a s P e t us P e e gri nu s
r . T h e re i r r . s

a M éri co u rt s u An c e (M e i co u rt I Abb é) a n d a M é ri co u rt sur S o mme

’
-
r -
r r - - -
,

b o th i n Pi a d y b ut i t i s q u i t l ik ly th a t M ah a n c u i a i s t h e mod e n
c r , e e r r r

h am l t o f M eh a i c o u t
e r r .

2
Op u T ti u m c ap x i
s er F o r m a n us c i p t s o f t h D M ag n te s e e
, . . r e e e ,

Fath er E S chl un d O F M i m A c hi v F ra n c H i t v 2
.
, .
40
. r . . s .
, . 2— .

5
T h e i d e n t i fi t i o n o f h i m wi t h J o d a n o f Sa x n y e co n d Mas t
ca r o ,
s er

G m a l o f t h e D o mi n i a n O d
e er t h ugh i t h a s t h a u th o ri ty o f Ni c
c r er, o e .

Tri t (A n n l
ve d H g p a es , e i s d o ub t ful
. Cf D e n ifl i n H i s t
o , . . . e .

a hrbuc h d G m G e ll c h f t x ( 8 9 9 ) 5 6 6
er a es - es s a , . 1 .
 MATH EMA TI CS 1 57

in t he Ar abi c lit e r atur e on Aristotle was studying among t he ,

S ar ac e ns at Tol e do about the tim e th at th e young English

schol a r was in P aris and doubtle ss othe rs in the schools o f
,

G e rm any we r e a wak e ning to t he ne e d for a bro ade r know

l e dg e o f t h e s c i e nc e o f t he Gr ee k and Ar ab c iviliz atio ns .

In Engl a nd th e d e sir e for m ath e m ati c s h ad a lr e a dy b e e n

m anife st b e for e t he thirt e e nth c e ntury d awn e d A we ll .

known c ou pl e t r e fe rring to g e om e try r e l at e s th at

, ,

Thys c r aft c o m yuto Engl a nd as y ghow say , ,

Yu t yme o f good kyng Ad e ls t o ne s d a y .

This was thr e e c e nturi e s b e for e Ba c on wa s b o rn Whe th e r .

it is true or not we know th at Ade lh ard o f B ath (c 1 1 8 0 )

, .

studie d in S pain and tr ansl at e d som e pa rts o f Euc lid s works '

f rom t h e Ar a bic in t h e tw e l fth c e ntury and th a t D a ni e l ,

Marle y a man with c onsid e ra bl e t ast e for m ath e m atics was

, ,

studying at Oxford i m 1 1 8 0 In Bac on s time Joh anne s .

’

de a S c robos c o ( 0 1 2 0 0 —
5 6 ) was t e ac hing m ath e m a ti c s a nd
.

a stronomy in P a ris writing t he most p o pul ar work D e

, ,

S phaera M undi th a t h ad a s ye t a ppe ar e d u p on t h e subj e c t

, ,

a nd doing mor e through his Tr a ctatu s d e A rte n umera ndi

, ,

to m ak e t h e num e r als o f algorism known th an any othe r

writ e r o f his tim e not e ve n e x ce p ting Al e x andr e d e Vi ll e di e u
,
.

John P e c kh a m (c 1 2 30 p ossibly
. a u
p p il o f B a c on s ’
,

a nd l at e r ( 1 2 7 9) Ar c hbisho p o f Ca nt e rbury was no m e a n ,

sci e ntist His work e ntitl e d P erspecti va c ommuni s was

.

look e d u p on as a c l assi c fo r thre e hundr e d ye ars and his ,

influe nc e at Ox ford ; whe r e h e t aught th e ology amd philo

so phy must h ave b e en a s alut ary o ne Am ong t h e Ox ford
, .

me n o f about this p er iod m e ntion should also b e m a d e o f

John of B asymgst o k e not m e r e ly for his g e n e r al l e arning
, ,
2

J o h n o f H al i f x k n o wn al s o b y s u h v i nt s o f S ob os a s
a , c ar a acr co

Sa c rob ust o , Sa c r o B o sc o , and S a c ro b o s t o .

H e d ied im 1 2 52 . Und er th i s da te Ma tth e w P a ri s re mark s

Obi i t ma g i s t e r J oh a n n e s d e B a si nge sto k e s a rc hid i aco nus Le g e c e s ,
r

v i r i n t r i v i o e t q u a d ri vi o a d p l e n um e ru d i t us H i s tori a A ng larum
’
t ri a e , , ,

i n t h e R ol l s S e r i e s i i i , . 1 19 .
158 R OG E R BA CON

but b ec aus e h e ac q uir e d Gr e e k in Athe ns ( 1 2 40 ) and took

b ac k to Engl and som e knowl e dg e o f t h e num e r al syst e m
and p e rh a p s o f t h e oth e r m ath e m ati c s o f c l a ssi c a l tim e s .

A little b efor e this th e wiz ard Mic h ae l S c ott also studi e d

a t Ox ford a nd P a r is a n d we nt to S p a in ( c 1 2 1 7 ) to ac quir e
, .

t h e l e arning o f t he S a r a c e ns . And b e sid es al l o f th e s e the r e

was still a b e tt e r s c hol a r th a n any o f th e m Rob e rt Gr e at
,

h e ad stude nt at Pa ris stud e nt and t eac he r at Oxford a nd

, , ,

finally B isho p o f Linc oln The influe n c e o f su c h a man

.

u pon th e l e arning o f his d ay c ould not h ave fail e d t o b e

gr e at and although not prim arily a m ath e m ati c i an h e was
,

sym path e ti c with t h e a dvanc e o f t he s c i e n c e and with its

applic ations to t h e fi e ld o f p hysi c s .

This list c ont a ins t h e n a m e o f no gr e a t g e nius in m ath e

m ati e s Not o ne st ands out for h aving c r e at e d a n ew
.

the ory or for having im prove d in any not e worthy m anne r

u p on t h e work o f t he a nc i e nt s c hol ars But wh e n we com
.

p ar e th e s e me n with thos e o f t h e c e nturi e s imm e di at e ly

p r e c e ding w e, s e e th a t th e irs was a p e riod o f ac tivity a n d
o f l aying t h e found ations for b e tt e r things .

IV . P ERSONAL A S SOCIATES W HO MAY HAV E INFLUENCE D

HIM
Whe n we c onside r t he world ac tiviti e s in m ath e m ati c s in
t h e thirt e e nth c e ntury we a r e n atur a lly le d to inquir e wh e th e r
Ba con was in a p osition to know o f th e m a nd t h e m to t ak e
,

a ccount o f his knowl e dg e o f t h e sci e n c e and his a ppr e c i ation

o f t h e work o f his c ont e m p or a ri e s We are so apt to im pe r

.

so mat e the Middl e Age s as a hum an b e ing looking with l ac k

lustr e e ye s th at it r e quir e s som e e ffort to r e aliz e th at t h e
twel fth and thirt e e nth c e nturi es s aw not m e re ly a r e vival
o f p e r i p at e ticism in m att e rs int e ll e c tu al in the study o f
,

Aristotl e but also its r e vival in a physic al s e ns e in t he

, ,

wande ring o f schol ars from unive rsity to unive rsity B ooks .

could not r e adily c ir c ul at e and c arry t h e world s l earning ’

1 60 R OG ER B A CON

V K NOW LE DGE OF THE CLASSICS O F MATHEM ATICS

.

Wh e th e r through c ont a c t with suc h me n as th e s e or ,

from his oth e r t e a c h e rs a t Ox ford a nd P a ris in o ne way or ,

a noth e r B ac on b e c a m e famili ar with s e ve r a l o f t h e gr e a t

c l assi c s o f m a th e m ati c s He quot e s fro m all t h e works o f

.

Aristotl e h e kn e w th e El ements and Opti cs o f Euc lid h e

, ,
‘

was fa m i li ar with t h e A lmagest a md Opti cs and two minor

works o f Ptol e my h e h a d r e ad The odosius on th e S phere and
,
‘
,

he kn e w m or e or l e s s o f t h e works o f Hi pp a r c hus Ap ollonius , ,

a nd Ar c him e d e s n o t to s p e ak o f t h e minor writ e rs a mong

,

th e Gr e e ks He s e e ms not to h a ve kno wn t h e works o f

.

H e ron howe ve r a nd his knowl e dg e o f Nico machus c am e

, ,

o nly from a s e c ond ary sour c e .

Th e Rom a n c 1vili za t i o n h a ving contribut e d so littl e to t h e

p rogr e ss o f m ath e m a ti c s it is not str a ng e th a t h e kn e w t h e
,

works o f only a fe w Latin authors not ably B o e thius a md ,

suc h l at e writ e rs as Isidorus Cassiodorus and Be de a nd t he , , ,

m e di ae val s c hol ar Jo rd amus Nem orarius ?

Th e Ar ab writ e rs with whom h e was fam ili ar we r e c h i e fly
thos e whos e m aj or int e re st was in astronomy and o pt i es .

His list o f th e s e s c hol ars in c lud e s the n am e s o f Ibn el—H ai t am

I n t h e D i gb y M S o f D e commun i bus ma thema ti ce f o l 5 1 b 1 i t i s
.
, .
, , ,

t t w t J
d i ffi c ul t o d e e rmi n e h e h e r i t i s o h a n n e s Lo n d o mi e ns i s o r o h a nn e s J
B a nd o um .

In D e co mmun i bus ma the ma ti ce h e r e f e rs to a s p e c i al e di tion of

t h e E le me n ts b y A d e lh a rd of Ba h in t , a d di t io n t o t h e la t t e r s E le menta ’

et A l a r d us B a t o n i e n s i s i n s ua e di c i ane spe c i a l i su per E le men ta

Eucl i di s ai t .
’
T hi s edi t i on is at w ell
p r e se n t u n k n o wn a n d may
me ri t t h e a tt e n t i o n o f s c h o la rs a c c e ss t o m a n us c ri p t s o f
wh o h a v e
A d e lh a r d s w o rk s H e m e n t i o ns t hi s e di t i o n e i gh t t i m e s b ut
’
.
,

s p e ak s o f Ad e l h a r d s Commen tu m s uper E le me nta E uc li di s o n l y twi c e

’
.

H e m e nt i n s hi m fi v e t im e s i n D e commun i bu s ma thema ti ce
o .

H e m e n t i o ns D e tr i a ng u li s twi c e a n d t h e A ri thmeti ca o n c e i n
De commun i bus ma thema ti ce .

Ab u Al i ib m ol Hai ta m
‘
el- H
asa n ib n cl- H as an -
, of B a s ra . Th e
t ransl i t e rat i o ns gi v e n b y Su e r i n t v ol . x of t h e A bha n dl ungen zu r

G eschi c hte der M a themati k ( L e i p zi g , 190 0 ) a re fo llo we d i n the w ri t i n g

of all Arab i c na m e s .
 MATH EMATI CS 1 61

( c . 6
9 5 who wrot e mor e th an a hundre d works on
m athe m atic s astronomy amd physi c s , Ibn Si mä (9 0
8 ,
‘

o ne o f t h e gr e a t e st hysi i ns md h i loso h e rs
p c a a p p
a mong t h e Ar abs ; c l Kindi romin nt in
5
(c 8 0 0 p e -
.

t he fi e ld o f a stronomy ; T abit i bm Qo r ra who wrot e on th e

‘
,

the ory o f numb e rs and g e o m e try as well as astronomy , ,

a nd who m ad e num e rous tr a nsl ations from t h e works o f

t he Gr e e k m a th e m ati c i a ns ; Av e rro e s ( 0 1 1 2 6 t h e 5
.

c e l e br a t e d c o mm e nt a tor on A r istotl e ; Al P arg a ni one o f

5 -
,

t he fir st o f t h e Bagd a d a stronom e rs o f not e ; Al Batt a ni -

7

( c 8 5
. 0 whos e t a bl e o f fixe d st ars (A D 91 1 ) was we ll . .

known ; b eside s num e rous othe rs o f l e ss e r im port anc e .

He was not howe ve r ac qu aint e d with t he works o f Moh a m

, ,

me d b e n Mus a although so m e wh a t famili a r with algorism

8
,
9
,

t t
A p a r i a l l i s i s gi v e n i n F W o e p c k e s ra n sla i o n o f O mar .
’
t t
Kh ay y am s al g e b r a L A lgebre d 0 ma r A lkhayy dmi P a ri s 1 8 5 1 ,
’ ’ ’

, , ,

p 7 4 a n d i n S ut e r „ l o c c i t p 9 1
.
,
. .
, . .

2
Co mm o n ly k n o wn as Avi c e nn a . His c o mp le e t n a me wa s El i
i b m A b d a l l ah i b m el— Ho se i n (or Ha s a m) i b m Ali Ab u Ali
‘ ‘ ‘

Ho s e i n , ,

e l Se i c h
-
e l - Ra
’
is ,
I b n S i mä . His c h i e f c o n ri b u t ti on t
t o m a h e ma i c s t
wa s i n t h e fi e ld o f a s t r o n o m y .

Ab u J us u f Ja q üb i b n I s h aq i b n Ki nd i
‘
abb ä al s o c a ll e d
5
el- S h el- ,

Al ki n d i . H e wa s kno wn as t h e p h ilo s o p h e r of t h e Ara b s

A b u l - Has a n T ab i i b n
’
t Q o rra ib n M e rw än , e l - H a rr än i , c o m mo nly .

k no wn as Ta b i t b e n Ko r ra .

M uh am m e d i b n A h m e d i b m Mu h a mm e d i b n Ro äd Ab u W e h d
5
, .

H e w a s b o rn i n Co r d o v a I n D e commun i bu s mathe ma ti ce t h e .

n a me a pp e a r s b o t h a s A v e r r oy s a md A v e rr o i s ( Sl o a n e M S f ol 7 6 , . ,

a,
5
Ah m e d i b n M uh a m me d i b n K e ti r e l F2 1 32111 H e d i e d i n 8 33 -
. .

M uh amm e d ib m Gäb i r i b m S i n än Ab u Ab d all ah e l B a ani , a lso

‘

, ,
-
tt
k no wn a s e l- R a qqi .

M uh a m m e d M us a Ch o w äre z mi , He
‘
5
ib n el -
Ab ü A b d a ll ah .

ta ugh t i n B a gd a d c . 825 , a nd wr o t e th e fi rs t wo rk b e a ri n g t h e t i tl e
of a lg e b ra — ‘
i lm mu qa ba la h F rom h i s n ame
al -
j abr el wa l
’
.
,

Ch ow ä r e zrni o r a l Kh o w ä ra z m i c a m e t h e wo r d a lgor i sm m e a n i n g
,
-
, ,

a ri t h m e t i c b a s e d o n t h e H i n d u Ar a b i c n u m e r a l s a w o r d a pp e a ri n g
-
,

i n s uc h v a r i e d fo r m s a s a ug ri m a u g ry m a n d a l gh o ri s m e , , .

9
V i as al gori t h mi s ci l i c e t q uo m od o c o njugant ur num e ri e t d i vi
,

d unt u r sec un d um o mn e m s p e c i e m a l go ri th m i a s h e sa ys
’

, ,

1 68
9 M
1 62 R OG E R BA CON

rob bly f rom e W orks o f Ge rb ert am d B e rne li nus nor ‘

p a t h ,

did h e know a nything o f t h e P e rsi an a lg e bra o f O m ar

Kh ayy am or o f th e m ath e m atic s o f I ndi a and t h e Far E ast .

Of al g e br a h e kn e w littl e b e yond t h e n a m e ? n o r do e s h e
m e ntion a s ingle work on t h e s ubj e c t but h e shows a worthy
knowl e dge o f t h e oth e r im port a nt lin e s o f ac tivity the n
o cc up ying t he att e ntion o f t h e Ar ab writ e rs .

We may th e r e fore c on c lude with r e s pe c t to B ac on s know

’

l e dg e o f t h e m ast e rp ie c e s o f m ath e m ati c s th at h e was ,

fa mili a r with a c onside r abl e nu mb e r o f t h e gr e at c l a ssics ,

a n d was in a p osition to p a ss j u dg e m e nt u p on t h e work o f

his c ont e m por ari es and e ve n to a dd to th e sto c k o f hum an

knowl e dg e i f his m e nt al a tt ainm e nts p e rmitt e d and his
t ast e s a llow e d ?

VI . CO NTEM PT F O R T HE MATHEMATI CS T H E N T A U G HT

With r e s p e c t to Bac on s j udg e me nt o f th e m ath e m ati c s o f

’

his d ay it m ay h e s aid th at it was o ne o f p ro fo u nd a nd

vo c i fe rous c ont em pt I nd e e d it is in t h e e x pre ssion o f this
.
,

cont e m p t th a t we find o ne c aus e o f his fa ilure to influe n c e

t h e e du c ation o f his ti m e as mu c h a s m ight h a v e b e e n
e x p e c t e d fro m his l e arning a n d undoubt e d a bility I nst e a d .

o f sob e rly going a bout t h e work o f c onst r u c tion h e r a v e s

a bo ut t h e short c omings o f most o f his c ont e m p o r a ri e s For .

In s p e a ki ng of f ra c t i o ms h e s ay s : D e hi i s v e ro t ra c ta t ur i n
s ci e n c i a a b b a c i . Abb ac us au e t m e st m e n s a g e o me t ri c a P i t h a g o ri c a .

I n q ua Pi t h a go ra s d e p o s ui t o mn e s i st a s f ra c t i o n e s ut s c i re t u r i n q u o t
q u e li b e t r e s d i v i d e re t ur i n i s t a s S . t t
c r i p s i a u e m d e hi i s p r i m o d o m i

nus P a p a G e b e rt u s q ue m o mn e s d o c to r e s s e q uu n u r t et cu m d ictis
e x p li c a v i t e t e x p l a n a vi t . In ter
q uo s p re c i p u e B e rn e l i u s d o m i no
A m e li o P a r i s i e n s i c o msc r i p si t ( S l oa n e M S f o l 9 1 He
’
e p i s c op o .
, a) .

g o e s o n t o sa y h a t t whi le h e k no ws of v a ri o us wo rk s h e f o llo ws
B e rn e l i mus c hi e fly S e q uo r au e t
m B e rn e l l u m p ri n c i p a li t e r .

Al ge b ra q u a e e st n e g o t i a t i o e t a l mo c h a b a la q ua e e st c e n s us
’
2
, ,

as h e s a y s i n t h e D e c om ma the m q u o t e d b y B r i d g e s Opus M aj us
. .
‚ , ,

I, p l v ii
. .

5
I n De mmun i bus ma thema ti ce h e me n t i o n s B o e t hi u s tw e n ty fi v e
co -

t i m e s Jo rd a mu s twe l v e t i me s (b ut n o t hi s D e n ume ri s da ti s ) Ad e lh ard

, ,

t e n t i m e s E uc l id o ft e n a nd o th e r w ri t e rs mo re o r l e s s fr e q u e n t ly
, , .
1 64 R OG ER BA CON

the conditions b e e n wholly favourable He m aint ains .

‘

th at the roots o f th e d iffic ul t y are ( 1 ) t h e t e ac hing of a l arg e

a mount o f worthl e ss m att e r ? a nd ( 2 ) t he fac t th at t h e world

n e e ds to ha ve
xc e ll e nt m ath e m ati c i ans who sho ul d not onl y know
e ,

wh at e xists o r igin al or tr ansl at e d in c onn e xion with

, ,

the s c i e n c e s but b e abl e to m ake a dditions to th e m

, ,

whi c h is e asy fo r good m ath e m ati c i ans to do For th e r e .

we re o nl y two p e r fe c t m athe m ati c i a ns Mast e r John o f ,

L ondon a nd Ma st e r P e t e r d e Mah arn Curi a a Pi c a rd ?

,
-
,

Th e r e a re two oth e r good on e s Mast e r Ca m p anus d e No vari a , ,

Et t a m e n m q uod i nf ra q ua rta m a n ni aut d i m i d i um

c e rt u s s u ,

a nn i , e g o d o c e r e m o re m e o h o m i n e m s o lli c i t um e t c on fi d e n t e m ,

q ui c q ui d s c i o d e p o t e st a t e s c i e n t i aru m e t li n gua ru m d u mmo d o ,

co m p o s ui s se m p ri m o q ui d d a m s c ri p t u m s ub c om p e n d i o
’
Opus .

T e r ti u m c a p xx , . .

Q uo n i am a u t e m l i b ri e t d o c t ore s m a t h e m at i c e i nsi stumt

2

mul t i p li c a c i o mi c o n c l usi o n u m e t d e m o n s t ra ci o n um i d e o n ull u s ,

p o t e s t p e r v e n i re a d n o t i c i a m i lli n s s c i e n c i e s e c u n d um m o d um
v u lga t u m mi s i c u m p o ma t 30 v e l 0 a n n o s ut l a n u m es t i n e i s q ui
4 p ,

flo ru e rumt i m hi i s sc i e n c ii s s i c ut D om i n us Ro b ert us f e li ci s m e mo ri e
,

n u p e r e p i s c o p u s Li n c o ln i e n s i s e c c l e s i e e t F r a t e r A d a m d e M a ri sc o
, ,

e t M a gi s t e r J o h ann e s L o n d o n i e n si s [B a n d o u m Th e m an usc ri p t i s
d iffi c ult t o re a d ] e t h u ju s m o d i , Et i d e o p a u c i s t ud e n t i n h a c
.

s c i e n c i a e t s i n e h a c s c i ri n o n p o ssi t o di e u t s u p e ri u s d e m o n s t r av i
, , .

Q ua p r o pt e r st u d e n t e s L a t i n i h a b e n t m a xi ma i mp e d i m e n t a s a p i e n c i e
p p
r o t e r m u l t i p l i cac i o me m c o n c l u s i o n u m e t d e m o n st r a c i o n u m m a th e

ma t i c e e t p r e c i p u e q ui a h u i c m ul t i t u d i n i e s t a n n e xa c ru d e l i s e t
,

h o rr e n d a d iffi c u lt as i n m o d o d e m o n st ra n d i i t a q uo d s t u d e n t e s s p e r ,

n unt b a u e s c i e n c i a m n o n s ol u m q u i a e i s i mg e ri t u r m ul t i p li ca c i o

c o n c l usi o n u m e t d e m o n s t ra c i o n um i n p ert ra n s ib ili s s e t q ui a d iffi c ul t a s ,

a d i c i t ur i nfi nit a .

S up e rfl uun t i gi t ur
mn e s d e m o n st r a c i o n es c o n c lus i o n um s up e r
o

fluaru m e t h oc e st r e sp e c t um m ul t i t ud o
, d e m o n st r a c i o n u m q u e
d o c e t u r q u i a p a u c i t as c o n c l u si o n um ut i li um i mv e ni a t ur
, E t mi si .

e s s e t h e c s u p e rflu i t as e t d i ffi c ult as d a m p n a b i l e s i mt r o d u c t e i n s t udi o

mat h e m a t i c e q ui li b e t p os s e t i n f ra a n n um s c i re q u an t um m o d o a li
,

q u i s n o v e r i t i n f r a 2 0 a n n o s e t q u a n t um e i s s ufli c e r e t i n e t e r n um
, ,

e t h o c p l a n u m e s t p e r e x p e ri e mc i a m o mn i h o m i n i q ui h u n c t r a c t a t um

ma th e mat i c e c o ms i d e ra v i t d i l i g e n t e r D e commu n i bus ma themati ce

’
.
,

D i gb y M S f o l 5 6 b 1 a n d 2 .
, , .

5
S e e pp 3 5 4 3 a n d 4 6 o f t h e Opus Te rti um
.
, , .
 MATH EMATI CS 1 65

and Mast e r Ni c hol as t e ac h e r o f Am aury d e Mont fort , the .

For without m a the m ati c s nothing worth knowing i m philo

so p hy c an b e a tt a in e d And the re for e it is indis pe ns abl e .

th at good m ath e m ati c i a ns b e h ad who are ve ry s c arc e , .

NO1 c an any o ne e xc e p t it b e t h e Po pe or som e gr e a t pr in c e

, ,

obt ain th e ir s e rvi c e s e s pe c i ally thos e o f t he b e st o ne o f,

th e m For he would h ardly c ond e s c e nd to live with a ny

.

o n e sin ce h e wish e s to b e t h e lord o f his own studi e s a nd

, ,

p ros e cut e philoso phi c a l inv e stig a tions at his pl e a sur e

’
.

No t o nl y in his e ye s h ad most o f his c ont e m por ari e s mo gi ft

, ,

fo r t e ac hing but fe w a mong th e m e v e n kn e w th e ir subj e c ts

,
.

To him th e y w e r e m e r e c h arl at a ns p osing as s c hol ars but in ,

r e ality S h ams wi th som e h appy p owe r o f dis c ours e Suc h .

was t h e wa y in whi c h h e look e d u pon G e r a rd o f Cr e mon a ,

who p os e d as a tr ansl ator o f Euc lid from t he Ar abic a md ,

‘

u p on G e ra rd s fri e nd H e rm ann t he G e rm an ?
’

Wh e n I que stione d him ( H e rm ann) about c e rt a in books o f

logi e whi c h h e h a d to tr a nsl a t e fro m t h e Ar a bi c h e r oundly
, ,

told me th at h e kne w nothing o f logie a nd th e r e for e did no t ,

d ar e to tr a nsl at e the m a nd c e rt a inly if h e was un ac qua int e d 5

with l ogi e h e c o uld know nothing o f oth e r s c i e n c e s as h e

,

ought NO1 did h e und e rst a nd Ar abi c as h e c on fe ss e d

.
, ,

f or h e k e p t S a r ac e ns a bout him in S pa in who h a d a p rin c i p a l ,

h a nd in his tr a nsl ations In t h e s am e way Mi c h ae l t h e Se at .

c l a im e d t h e me ri t c f num e rous tr a nsl a tions B ut it is c e r .

t ai n th at Andr e w a Je w l aboure d at the m mor e th an he did

, ,
.

And e ve n Mi c h ae l as H e rm a nn r e p ort e d did not und e rst a nd

, ,

e ith e r t h e s c i e n c e s or t h e tongu e s And so Of t h e r e st .

,

e s p e c i ally t h e notorious Willi am Fl e m ing who is now in ,

Su c h r e p ut a tion Wh e re as it is we ll known to all t h e l i terati

.

We a re q ui te t
u n c e r ai n a s t o th e fi rs t t ra n s la o r o f t E uc li d f ro m
t h e Ar a b i c i n to t h a t Ad e lh a d o f B ath G e a rd o f
La i n t . It is sai d r ,
r

Cre mo n a a n d Ca m p a n u s a l l m a d e t ra n sla t i o n s b ut t h e re s e e ms
, ,

r e as o n t o b e li e v e t h a t t h e y a ll d e p e n d e d o n s o m e e a l i e t r a n sl a t o r r r

wh os e n a m e i s n o w l o s t .

2
H e s t u d i e d a t To l e d o a s a l r e a d y s t a t e d a nd t ra n sl a t e d t h e
, ,

E thi cs o f Ari s t o t l e t h e E n cycl opa d i a o f M u h a m me d i b n e

Muha mme d i b m Ta r oh an i b n A u zla g Ab ü Na s r , , el F äräb i (c .

a nd t h e A v e rro e s v e rsi o n o f t h e P oeti c s .

5
Di xi t o re t
r o un d o , qu od n e sc i v i t lo gi c am , et ideo no n a ns u s

f ui t t ra ns fe rre .
’
1 66 R OG E R B A CON

at P ar is th at he is ignor a nt o f t he s c ie nc e s in th e origin al
,

Gre e k to whi c h h e m ake s suc h pr e t e nsions and the re for e

,

h e tr a nsl at e s fa ls e ly and c orru pts t h e ph i loso phy o f t h e ,

Latins
’
.

Although h e h as a good word to s ay for his frie nd

Gross e t e st e h e r e turns ag ain to his a tt a c k on t h e r e st
, ,

s a ying B ut all t h e oth e rs w e r e ignor a nt o f t he l a ngu ag e s

a nd t h e s c i e n c e s amd a bov e all this Willi a m Fl e ming who
, ,

h as no s atis fa c tory knowl e dg e o f e ith e r a n d y e t h as und e r ,

t ak e n to r e f orm all o ur tr ansl ations a nd giv e us n e w on e s .

But I h a v e s e e n [his] books a nd I know th e m to b e fa ulty , ,

and th a t th e y ought to b e a void e d a j udg e m e nt th a t s e e ms

’

too bitt e r to b e t ak e n as sound e s p e c i ally in vi e w o f the ,

work whi c h his riva l s e e ms to h ave a c c om plish e d .

Of all thos e who t a ught a t P a ris h e h as o nly ill to s ay ass e rt ,

ing th a t no o n e a mong th e m c ould h a ve writt e n s uch a tr e at is e

as b is 0 11 p e r s p e c tiv e ? a n d th a t t h e wo r ks o f t h e gr e at e st

o f th e m ( p rob a bly Thom as Aquin a s ) ar e c h ar ac t e riz e d by

5

our gl ring d f ts — im fi ni t e a n d p u e r il e v a ni ty in e ffabl e

f a e e c ,

fa lsity voluminous s upe rflui t y a nd t h e omission o f m any

, ,

p a rts o f p hiloso p hy o f gr e a t utility a n d b e a uty .

4

Su c h h arsh j udg e m e nts c h ar ac t e riz e B ac on hims el f r ather

Th t a n l t i o n i s B w s F o t h o i gi n a l s B e w s
e r s a re er
’
. r e r ee r er
’

e di tion p 47 ,
i t b i n g p rt f a p vi i i o f t h C mp n di u m S tu d i i P hi l
. I , e a o c . e o e . .

Thi F l mi n g w
s e W illi m o f M o b c k k no wn l s a s G ui li lmus
as a er e e, a o e

B rab a n t i mu o F l m i n g us s H wa s c h ap l i n t o Cl m n t I V t wh o se
r e . e a e e , a

i n s t i ga t i n B a o n w o t t h Opus M ju
o c n d a f t e rw a d s w a s a l s o
r e e a s, a r

c h a p l ai n t o G go ry X H t a n l a t d p a rt o f t h w o k s o f Ari t t l e
re . e r s e s e r s o

un d er th d i c t i n o f Th o m a s A q u i n a
e re o th C a t pt i c o f H o n s, e o r s er

o f Al x n d i
e a ( as c rib i n g t h w o k t o P t l e my ) a n d t h e wri t i ng s o f
r a e r o ,

A rchi m d o m flo t i n g b o d i s
e es I t i th o u gh t t h t T rta gli a t oo k
a e . s a a

hi s t a n sl t i o n o f A hi m d e ( 5 4 3) f o m W illi a m o f M o b e c k e
r a rc e s 1 r er .

S e C n t o s G e chi chte d er M th m ti k v o l i i
’
e a r s p 5 4 a e a , . . 1 .

2
As s o i gi t u v o b i s q u o d n ull um i m n i t i s i n t e L a ti n os q ui
er r ve e r ,

s i c ut n us qu
ee d u n u m a nn u m h a n c p a rt e m s a p i e n ti a e p e so l v e t
e a r ,

decem Opus T e rti um

’
si e n e e u s qu e a d .
, c ap . ii .

5
[ P ro b a b ly Al b e r t u s M a gn u s — A . G . L .
]
Opu s T er ti u m ,
c ap . ix . Se e a l so B re we r s
’
e di t io n , p . l ix , a nd

c ap . v ii i o f t h e Comp S tudi i P hi l . .
1 68 R OG ER BA CON

And so continu ally throughout his works we find t h e

p r ais e o f m a th e m ati c s a s t h e k e y to all t h e oth e r s c i e n c e s ?

Si n e ma h e ma i c a n o n p o ssun t s ci ri t t s c i e nt i a e is te c .
’
Opus
j
M a us c a p i i p 5 9 ( e b b ) i 9 9 ( B ri d g e s)
, .
, . J . .

t t
S e d c o n s a p ra ed i ca m e n t um q ua mt i t a t i s c o g no s c i n o n p osse si n e

ma t h e ma t i c a . N am so l a ma th e ma t i c a c o ms t i t u i t u r d e q ua n i t ta t e
’
c o g n o sc e n d a . I bi d .
,p 60 i 10 2
. . .

E t i d eo i n s ol a t
m a h e ma i c a s u n t t d e m on st ra t i o n e s po t i ssi ma e

per c a u sa m me c e ssa ri am . E t i d eo t t
so l u m ib i p o e s h o m o e x p o e s t
ta t e i ll i ns sc i e n t i a e d e v e mi re a d v e ri t at e m Et i d e o i n s o la .

ma th e m a t i c a e st c e rt i t ud o s i n e d ub i t a t i o n e
’
Ib i d p 6 3 i 10 6 . .
, . . .

Q ua re p a t e t q uo d si i n a lii s s c i e n t ii s d eb e mu s v e ni e i n c e rt i tu
,
r

dinem s i ne d ub i t at i o n e , ad v e ri t a t e m si n e e rr o r e , O p o rt e t ut

f un d a m e n ta c o g ni t i o n i s i n ma h e m a i c a p o ma m u s t t , t
q ua e nus p e r
ca m d i sp osi t i p ossu mus p e rti mg e r e a d e e rt i t u d i me m a li a r u m s c i e n

t i arum a d v e ri ta t e m p e r m
’

,
e x c l u si o n e e rr o ri s . Ib i d .
, p . 63
i . 10 6 .

Q uap ro pt e r m an if e st um q u o d m a h e m a i c a e st o mn i n o e st , t t
n e c e ss a ri a u i l i s a li i s s c i e n t ii s t
Ib i d , p 6 4 i 10 8 .
’
. . . .

H i s D i s ti n cti o S e cun da o f t h e fo ur h p a r o f t h e Opu s M afu s (p 6 5 , t t .

I . b e gin s I n q ua os t e n d i t u r , q u o d r e s h uju s m u n d i r e q uir u n t

m at h e mat i c a m H e a s s e rt s N a m i m p o ssi bil e e s t r e s h uju s m u n d i
’
.

sc i ri mi s i s c i a t ur m a th e m a t i ca
’
.
,

N O1 w a s h e w i d e o f t h e m a r k wh e n h e sai d P o st q ua m ma nif e s ta
e st me c e ss i t as m a t h e m at i c a e i n r e b u s h uju s m u n d i i n s c i e nt ii s
h umami s n u mc p o t e s t i st u d i d e m o s t e n d i i m d i vi n a
, Et h oc e st .

m ag i s c o n si d e ra md um qui a h u m a n a n ihi l v a l e n t mi si a p p l i c e nt ur a d
,

d i vi na Cu m i g i t ur o st e n s u m si t q uo d p hi lo so phi a n o n p o t e s t s c ir i
.
,

mis i sc i at u r m a th e ma t i c a o mn e s s c i u n t q u o d t h e o l o gi a n o n p o t es t ,

s c i ri m i si s c i a t u r p hi lo s op hi a n e c e ss e e st u t th e o l o gus s e i a t ma t h e ,

ma t i ö a m Ib i d p 1 0 8 ; i 1 7 5
’
. . . . .
,

E t i d e o p os t l i n g uaru m n e c e s si t at e m po n o ma t h e m at i ca m e ss e
i n s ec u n d o l o c o n e c e s sa ri a m a d h o c ut s c i a m us q u a e s c i e n d a s un t , _

q u a e n o n e st n o t a n o b i s p e r n a t ur a m s e d t a m e m e s t p ro p e c o gni

t i o n e m n a t ura l e m i nt e r o mn e s s c i e n t i as q ua s s oi m us p er i n v e nti o me m
e t d o c t ri ma m Opus Te rti um c a p xxi x ; B r e w e r p 1 0 5
’
. .
, , . .

H o mi n e s e n i m s e mp e r s un t p a r a t i r e p rob a r e q uo d n es c i unt e t ,

q u ae n o n s un t v ulg a t a me o c o n s u e ta n e e e x e m p li s d e c la ra ta , Et , .

ma xi me a cc i d i t hi e ca su s a p u d h o m i n es r es p ec t u ma th e mat i cae .

E t h o c p ro c urav i t Di ab ol u s q ui a n u ll a u ili e s , t t sap i e n ti ae , t h eo l o gi ae ,

e t p hil o so p hi a e n e e i s t i us m un d i p e r v i as , , sa p i e uta l es p ro c urar i
t t
po e s s i n e b e n e fi c i o ma th e m at i ca e , ut pa t e t e x d i c ti s , s e d p l an i us e x

d i c e nd i s
’
Ibi d c a p lx v p 2 6 8
. .
, . . .
 MA TH EMATICS 1 69

He sought t he su pport o f t h e Chur c h by showing t h e s e rvi c e

of m athem ati c s in t h e study o f th e ology an d by r e c alling ,
‘

to m e mory t he holy me n who i m e arli e r tim e s h ad e o n , ,

tribut e d to t he d e ve lo pm e nt o f t h e s c i e n c e ? And ind e e d ,

with all t he p ra is e whi c h Ba con g a ve to t h e s c i e nc e it must ,

b e c onfe ss e d th at it wa s not so mu c h m a th e m a ti c s for its

own s ake whi c h h e ch am pion e d but m ath e m ati c s as a h a nd ,

m aid to th e ology 0 1 t he n atur al s c i e n ce s He r e pr e s ent e d .

s e v e n c e nturi e s a go a s Aristotl e did in t h e gold e n a g e o f

,

Gr ee c e and as so m any e du c a tors a tt e m pt to do to day th e

,
-
,

fi eld o f a pplications an d th e possib iliti e s o f c orr e l ation as ,

a g a inst t h e s c i e n c e its e l f ? But with a ll o f his a nt a gonism

to t h e ultr a s c i e ntific sid e he r e c ogniz e d t h e c ultur e ph as e
-
,

o f t h e subj e c t to t h e e xt e nt o f a ss e rting th at t h e e du c a t e d

man ought to b e fa mili a r with t h e fa mous th e or e ms o f t h e

sci e nc e To this e nd h e fa voure d t h e d e monstr a tion o f su c h
.

p ro p ositions e v e n though this might l e a d to mo p arti c ul ar

,

app li c a tions
?

Among t he appli c ations whi c h are r e l a t e d to t h e affairs

o f t h e Chur c h Bac on c alls a tt e ntion to t h e im p ort a n c e o f
,

m athe m ati c s in r e gul ating th e c al e nd ar thus fixi mg pro pe rly ,

S ee Opus Terti um , c ap . li i i lv ii i ,
, a nd l xv i ; Bre we r , pp . 1 99 , 2 2 6 ,

228, 2 7 0 .

Se d s an c ti no n re p r ob a n t m at h e ma t i ca m q ua e e st p ars ,

p hi l oso phi a e s ed q u a e p a rs
, e s t a rt i s m a gi c a e u t m a n i f e stu m e st p er
,

s a nc t o s
. N a m I sid o ru s i n t ra c t a t u Ast ro n o m i a e d i c i t q uo d a s tr o ,

no mi a d up l e x e st ; un a e st t
n a ur al i s , et a li a s u p e rs t i t i o s a ; et

ma t h e m a t i c a un a ma thes i m e d i a c o rr e p t a e t i l l a e s t p a rs
d e ri va t ur a , ,

p hil o s o p hi a e a l t e m d i ci t u r a ‚166 1 1
9 . m e d i a p r o d u c t a e t i ll a e st e t , ,
.

h a ec so la m al e d i c ta i m p o n i t n e c e ss i t at e m r e b us e t li b e ro a rb i t ri o
’
.

Opu s Terti um c a p i x ; B r e w e r pp 2 5 s e q
, .
, . .

5
N i c hi l e ni m e st n e c e s sa ri um Ch ri s t i a n o mi si p r op t e r a n i me
s al ut e m e t i d e o p a u c i or a d e p art i b u s p hi l oso p hi e e i s c o n e e d e n d a
,

s u n t q u a m p hi l oso p hi s i mfi d e lib u s q ui a v e ri ta t e m ult i p li c i t e r ,

D e c ommun i bus ma thema ti ce fo l 5 6 b I

’
e rrav e ru n t .
, .
, , .

U n d e e st c um p r o p t e r p r o p osi c i o n e s f a mo sas q ua m m d e m on ,

st ra c i o n e m i g no rar e v i l e e st q ui a s u n t i m o r e c uju sli b e t ut Q uo d

t ri a n gul u s h ab e t 3 a n g u l o s e q u al e s d u o b u s r e c t i s Ib i d .
, fol 5 6 , b
.
, 2.
 1 70 R OG ER BA CON

t he gre at r e ligious fe stivals a subj e c t to whi c h as we shall

,
‘
,

p r e s e ntly s e e h e d e vot
,
e d s e ri ous a tt e ntion .

B a c on s r e p e a t e d c h a m p ioning o f t h e c a us e o f m ath e
’

m at ic s would s ee m s upe rfluo us we r e we not a wa r e o f t he

o pp osition whi c h it e nc ount e r e d as a s pe c i e s o f t h e Bla c k Art .

To m a ny it was nothing mor e th a n a strology o f t h e low est

ty pe suc h as we find to —d ay i m par ts o f I ndi a amd e ls e whe r e
,

in t h e Far E ast I t was t his ant agonism whi c h B ac on sought

.

to r e m ove by showing t h e s c i e nc e in som e o f its r e al nobility ,

although it must b e c on f e ss e d without t h e su cce ss whi c h

, ,

a m ast e r o f t h e subj e c t wo uld h a v e m e t e v e n in t h e thirt e e nth

c e ntury I n s p it e of his d e fe c ts howe v e r it must b e s aid

.
, ,

tha t m ath e m ati c s f ound no mor e z e alous c h am pion in this

c e ntury than B ac on an d p e rh aps his influ e n c e in r e storin g
,

it to a n honour e d pl ac e in t h e s c hools was g re at e r th an we

h ave m e ans a t th e pr e s e nt time o f knowing .

V I II . BA CO N
’
S K NOW LE D GE AN D CO NCE P TI ON OF

MATHEMATI CS
For a lo ng tim e B ac on was known as t he gre at m e the m e
t i c i an I n an e dition o f o ne o f his e ss a ys p ubl ish e d in 1 5 90
2

h e is s p ok e n o f a s dacti s si mus ma themati cus an a pp e ll a tion ,

Whi c h c ould h a ve b e e n littl e mor e th a n tr adition al sinc e

no ne o f his i m p ort a nt works h ad as ye t a ppe a r e d in p rint

an d his m a nus c ri p ts w e r e but littl e known Wh e n t he .

m ath e m ati c al pa rt o f t h e Opus M afus came fro m t h e pr e ss in ,

1 6 1 4 th e r e was som e b a sis f or j udg e m e nt an d t h e m ath e

, ,

mat i c i ans o f t h e s e ve nt e e nth c e ntury if th e y look e d at t h e ,

work at all must h av e wa nd e r e d th at su c h a titl e sho ul d

,

ha ve b e e n give n to its author In t h e e ight e e nth c e ntury ?

,

Fo a ma pp c i a t i n o f t hi s p o si t i on s e e B ri d g
r re o The Opus M afus es,

of Rog er B a c on p r e fac e p i x
, , . .

2
T h e L i be llus d e re ta r d a n d i s s e n e ctu ti s a cci d e n ti bus e t de sens i bu s

cons er va n d i s , x
O f o rd ,
1 59 0 E ng li sh t ra n slat i o n , Lo n d o n , 16 8 3 .

5
Jo h n W a lli s , fo l l o wi ng V o ssi us i n t h e m ai n , s p ea k s o f hi m as

p ro f un d a e e r ud i t i o n i s v i r , s t ud i i s q ue h ujus m o d i ad mo d u m i mt e nt us ,
172 R OG ER B A CON

l e dg e o f t h e pure s c i e n c e Hu mboldt whil e c h ar ac t e rizing .

,

him as t h e gr e at e st a pp ar ition o f th e Middl e Ag e s w e nt

so far a s to a ss e rt th at B ac on s c hi e f d e fe c t was b is l ac k o f ’

math e m atic a l knowl e dg e An d so we may s ay th at writ e rs .

on t h e history o f m ath e m ati c s did not h e sit a t e during a ,

p e r iod o f two c e nt u ri e s to t ak e issu e with tr a dition a nd to ,

a ss e rt th a t B a c on h a d no c l a im wh at e v e r to r e cognition in

this fi e ld Ne w light h as b e e n thrown u p on t h e qu estion

.

during t h e p ast h a l f c e ntury howe ve r first by Br e we r s -

, ,
’

p ubli ca tion o f t h e O pu s M i n us a n d Opu s T er ti u m ; s e c ondly

by t h e ne w e dition o f t h e Opus M afus with not e s by Bridg e s , ,

in 1 897 an d fin ally by St e e l e s work (not ye t p rint e d ) 0 11

,
’

D e communi bus ma thema ti ce so th a t we now h a v e at h and ,

‘

t h e e vid e n c e u pon whi c h to p a ss a mor e w e ll c onsid e r e d -

j udg e m e nt .

P e rh aps Bac on s c onc e pt o f t h e r ang e o f m a th e m ati c s c an

’

b e st b e obt ain e d fro m t h e l ast n a m e d o f th e s e tr e atis e s In .

t h e D i s ti n cti o terci a h e dis c uss e s t h e mi n e p a rts into whi c h

t h e s c i e n c e is divid e d ? He a lso a ss e rts th a t b e sid e s th e s e , ,

the r e are two g e n e r al divi sions de communi bus and de pra ,

p r i i s
, a e l ass i fi c at i o n whi c h h e t e lls us wa s sugg e st e d by

Alph arab ius Th e fir st o f th e s e two divisions h e c l a ims

?
, ,

should not b e cl assi fi e d as g e o m e try a rithm e ti c a n d so on , , ,

but as t h e e l e m e nts thus sugg e sting th e bre aking d o wn o f ,

t h e b a rri e rs b e tw e e n subj e c ts in t h e s a m e s p irit as th a t

whi c h prom p ts m any e du c ators at t he p r e s e nt tim e to follow
M r S t e e l e ki n dly p la c e d a t my d i sp osa l hi s m a n u s cr i p t c o py a n d
.

c o mp l e t e s e t o f p h o t o g ra p h s o f t h e D e c ommu n i bu s mathema ti ce
.

( Sloa n e a n d Di gb y
2
P ri m um e st d e d i v i si o n e m at h e mat i c e i n p a rt e s n o v e m c um
o r di n e c a ru m Sl oa n e M S f o l 8 2 a I
’
. . .
, ,

5
Muha mm e d i b n M uha mm e d i b m Ta r ch än i b m Au zl a g Ab u Na s r , ,

e l F ar ab i ( 0 8 7 0 —9
-
. t h e c o mm e n t a t o r o n A r i s to t l e a md P t ol e my ,

a n d t h e a u th or o f a n E n c y c l o p a e d i a E t m a t h e m a t i c a h ab e t d ua s .

p a rt e s p ri nc i p a le s q u a rum q u e d a m e st d e c o m m uni b us e t a li a d e
,

p ro p r i i s e t b a u e d i v i s i o me m p o n i t Al ph arab i u s i n li b ro D e S c i e mc i i s
’

, .

Slo a n e M S f o l 8 2 a 1
.
, .
, , .
 MATH EMATICS 1 73

a simil a r pl an in t he e arlie r st ag e s o f instruc tion Of the .

‘

s e cond o f his two divisions he m ak e s two gre at subdivisions ,

t he s pe c ul a tiv e a nd t h e pr ac ti c al e ac h o f th e s e b e ing furth e r ,

divide d into four p arts— g e om e try arithm e tic a strology , , ,

and musi c I n e ac h c as e h e p uts t h e s p e c ul ative b e for e t h e

.

pr a c ti c a l in ord e r o f t e a c hing ? Anoth e r division is not with

out int e r est b e caus e of t he t e rms e m ploye d— th at o f pr ac ti c al
g e om e try into altim e try p l a nim etry and s upe riome try the , , ,

third o f the s e r e l a ting to t h e m e asure o f de pths and solids .

As to th e Opus M afus it is e vid e nt that it is not a tr e atis e ,

o n m a th e m ati c s A fe w r e fe r e n c e s are m a de to t h e c l assics

.

on this subj e c t a nd muc h is s aid in appr e c i ation o f t h e

,

s c i e nc e but as to any s pe c ifi c tr e at me nt o f m ath e m ati c s

,

its e l f the r e is non e Mor e ove r in t h e Opus Terti um Bac on

.
, ,
5

shows c l e arly th at m athe m ati c s m e ant to him littl e mor e

th an astronomy For s pe aking o f th e diffic ult y o f s ec uring
.
,

m athe m ati c i ans and o f th e c ost o f m aint aining the m h e s ays

, ,

And b e side s th e s e e x p e ns e s oth e r gr e at e x p e ns e s would ,

h a ve to b e inc urr e d Without m ath e m a ti c al instrum e nt s

.

no s c i e n c e c an b e m a st e r e d ; amd th e s e inst r um e nts

a r e not to b e found a m ong t h e La tins a n d c ould no t b e ,

m ade for two or thr e e hundr e d p ounds And b e side s .

,

b e tt e r t abl e s are indis pe ns ably r e q uisit e for a lthough th e ,

c e rti fying o f t h e t a bl e s is don e by inst r u m e nts ye t this ,

c a nnot b e ac c om p lish e d unl e ss th e r e b e a n imm e ns e numb e r

o f instrum e nts a n d th e s e ar e h ar d to us e a n d h ard to
,

k ee p b e caus e o f rusting a nd th e y c a nno t b e move d from

,
‘
,

pl ac e to pl ac e without d a ng e r o f br e aking
’
.

E t h e c p a r s m a t h e m a t i c e mo n d e b e v o c a ri t G e o m e t ri a nee

t
Ari s m e t i ca n e e A s ro lo gi a me o A s r o n o m i a me o Mus i ca t sed d e cl e me n i s t
et de r a d i c ib u s t o t i us m a t h e m at i c e q ue d e b e n t p r e m i tt i an e t p ar te s
Sl o a n e M S
’
s p e c i al e s .
,
fol . 82 , a, I .

2
G e o me t ri a v e r o s p e c ul a ti v a e st p ri o r q u a m
p ra c i c a q ui a s ua t
o p e ra c i o n e m a d d i t s up a r n u d a m s p e c u l at i o n e m e t u n i v e r s a l i t e r fi mi s ,

s p e c ul a ti v e e st p ra c t i c a e t d i ffi c i l i o r e t no b i lio r e t lo n g e u t i li o r s i c ut

fi mi s se ha b e t ad ea q ue s un t ad finem .
’
Slo a n e MS , fo l 8 3
.
, a, 1 .

5
Ca p . x ii .

t e r r uhi gi me m Thi s i s s t ra nge s i n c e i t s ugge st s th a t b ras

P ro p .
’

, s

and b romze i n s t rum e nt s w e e n o t c o mm o n t h e l arg e r p i e c e s b e i ng o f

r ,
1 74 R OG ER B A CON

This m e ans as alr e ady st at e d th at m athe m atics in

, ,

Bac on s mind was littl e mor e th an a stronomy but it

’

t ells us a gr e at d eal mor e t h an this It give s us a vi e w .

o f t h e astronomi ca l obs e rv a tory o f t h e thirt e e nth c e ntury ,

with its l arg e c e l e sti al s ph e r e s a n d gre at a st r ol ab e s both ,

m ad e o f iron I t shows us th at in t h e m assive instrum e nts

.
,

on t he walls o f P e king and in t h e obs e rvatory at J e yp or e ,

we s e e to d a y t h e o ut fit o f t h e m a th e m ati c i a n o f Bac on s
’
-

tim e — instrum e nts whi c h are t h e c ont e m p or a ry an c estors

o f Gre e nvvi e h a n d Mount Wil son I t shows us too th at
.
, ,

s c i e nc e in t h e p e r iod o f m e di ae va l awak e ning d e p e nde d on

t h e workm a n from t h e Ori e nt fo r its a strol ab e s a n d s p h e r e s ,

sin ce th e s e instrum e nts are not to b e found among t h e

La tins
No t in t h e Opus M ajus nor in t h e Opu s Terti um th e m do we , ,

find a ny e vid e n ce o f a s e rious study o f m athe m a ti c s nor any ,

a p p r e c i a tion o f wh at t h e s c i e n ce r e ally is We t urn th e m to .

, ,

t h e Compen di u m S tudi i P hi l os ophi ae whi c h Ba c on p l a nn e d ,

a nd in whi c h t h e s e c ond o f t h e f our vol u m e s was to b e on

m ath e m ati c s His D e l audi bus mathemati ca e m ay h ave

.
2

b e e n int e nd e d as an introd uc tion to this p ar t o f t h e work ,

but at any r a t e t h e fi rst p art o f t h e vol um e is pr e s e rv e d

a n d will shortly b e e dit e d by Mr St e e l e from t h e Slo a n e MS
. .

( N o 2
. 1 6
5 ) a n d t h e l e ss c om pl e t e o ne in t h e Digby c oll e c tion ?

i ro n . Such t
a s ro l ab e s o f th e Mi d dl e A ge s as w e p osse ss h o
, wev e r ,

a re o f s o me f o rm o f al loy .

Th e r e ad e rwi ll h ard ly n e e d t o b e re min d e d o f t h e e xc e ll e n t

t re at i se o n t h e a s tro lab e wri tt e n b y Cha u c e r a c e n t ury l a t e r b ut t h e ,

ca s u al v i s i t o r t o t h e B ri t i sh M u s e u m m a y w e l c o m e t h e s u g g e s t i o n

th at h e sh o u l d l ook a mo ng t h e a s t rol ab e s f or t h e v e ry fin e o n e whi c h

Ch au c e r m a y h a v e u se d wh e n h e p r e p a re d i t .

2
Th e Opus M aj u s c o n t a i n s o n e v e rsi on .

5
T h e S l o a n e M S b e gi n s
. H i c i n c i p i t v ol u me n v e r e m a t h e m a t i c e
h ab e n s s ex l ib ro s . P r i mus e st mm u ni b u s m a t h e m a t i c e e t
de co

h a b e t t r e s p a rt e s p ri n c i p a l e s P ri m a p a r s c o n t in e t q u e d a m c o m m u ni a
.

p r e a mb u l a a d i n t e ri o r a m a t h e m at i c e e t h ab e t [q u i n q u e ] d i s t i n c t i o n e s .

P ri m a d i s t i n c t i o c o m p a ra t m a t h e m a t i c a m a d m e t a p h y s i c a m e t
 1 76 R OG ER B A CON

the or e ti cal g e om e try but on the othe r hand ge nuin e ,

sym pathy is shown with t h e pr ac ti c al ph as e o f t he work ,

inc luding ar c hit e c tur e and both m e c h anic al and c ivil

e ngin e e ring a nd t h e c onstru c tion o f astronomi c al
,
o ptic al , ,

and e v e n surgi c a l instrum e nts All this r e minds us o f a .

p a ss a g e in t h e Opu s T e rti u m in whi c h p r ac ti c a l g e om e try is

d es c rib e d
Th e n th e r e are oth e r instrum e nts a nd t abl e s o f p r ac tic a l
g e o m e try a nd pr ac tic al arithm e tic and musi c whi c h are o f
, , ,

gre at utility a nd a re indis pe ns ably r e quir e d But mor e th an .

any o f th e s e it would b e r e q u isit e to obt ain me n who h a ve

a good knowl e dg e o f o p t i e s (perspecti va ) a nd its instrum e nts .

For this is t h e s c i e nc e o f true vision and by vision we know ,

a ll things This s c i e n c e c e rt ifi e s m a th e m a ti c s a n d a ll oth e r

.

things b e c aus e astronomi cal instrum e nts do not wor k e x c e pt

,

by vision in ac c ord an ce with t he l aws o f tha t s c i e n c e

, .

B ut thi s s c i e n c e h as not hith e rto b e e n r e a d a t P a ris or

a mong t h e La tins ; e x c e p t twi c e a t O x f ord in E ngl and ; and
the r e a re not thre e pe rsons ac qu aint e d with its p owe r .
’

In D e communi bus mathemati ce B ac on a lso s pe aks o f

algo r ism t h e ne w a rith m e ti c b a s e d u pon t he Hindu Ar abic
2
-
,

num e r als whic h w e r e alr e ady we ll known to th e astrologe rs ,

3

a n d h e e ve n m e ntions a lg e br a Whil e h e st a t e s t h e us e s o f .

p r ac ti c a l a rithm e ti c in t h e c onstru c tion o f t abl e s m e nsur a ,

tion alloys and c oin a ge partne rshi p and othe r c o m m e r c i al

, , ,

c e p c i o e st t
q ua m q u i s p rob a a ud i t um e t Al a rd u s B a t o n i e n si s i n s ua
e d i c i o n e s p e c i a li s u p e r E l e m e n t a E u c l i d i s a i t Co n c e p c i o n e s s un t
q u e u l i mto ( a l i e r p r i m ot) o c c u r r u n t h u m a n e i n t e ll i g e n t i e i n q ui b us
n o n e s t e x i ge n d u m p ro p te r q ui d .
”
Sl o a n e MS .
, fo l . 89 , b .

Si mi la rl y wi th re sp e c t t o p o s t ula t e s h e sa s
y et t
p e i c i one s et

s upp o s i c i o n e s mn i b u s s c i e n c i i s ut i n G e o me t ri a a p un c t o a d
in o , .

p un c t u m r e c ta m li n e a m d uc e r e
”
e t i d e m e st p e t i c i o e t s up p os i c i o

s e c u nd u m A n a r i c u m i n Co m m e n ta ri o El e m e nt o ru m E u c lidi s Sed .

q ui a ma g is t e r p e t i t a d i s c i p ul o u t c re d a t i lla v o c a n t ur p e t i ci o n e s e t ,

q u o n i a m d i s c i p ulus d e b e t i lla c r e d e r e e t h oc e s t s up p o n e re v o c a nt ur
, ,

s u pp o s i c i o n e s q ue n on t t
p o e s i n p ri n c i p i o i n t e lli g e re se t c r e d e re d one c
f ue ri t: e x c e rc i t a t u s in j
s c i e n c i a c u us s u n Ibi d t .
’
.

p .
37 o f t h e Opus Te rti um . S e e B re we r , p l
. xxv i .

V i a s a l g o ri t h m i .
’

3
S mi h t a nd Ka rp i ns ki The H i n du A ra bzc N umera ls B ost o n
,
-
'

, , 19 ! I .
 MATH EMATICS 1 77

r tions he give s no e vid e nce o f his own pro fic i e nc y in

'

o pe a ,

c al c ul a tion nor d o e s h e show a n

, y c onc e p tion o f t h e n atu re

o f a lge br a He disting uishe s b e twe e n a xio ms p ostul at e s

.
, ,

a nd d e fi ni t io ns a nd this with some c omm e nts m ake s up

, , ,

most o f the ge om e try in De communi bus mathemati ce but ,

he m ake s no a tt e m pt to a dva n c e t h e s c i e n c e or to prove

asingl e the o re m He give s som e a tt e ntion to int e g e rs and
.

f ra c tions a n d to a rithm e ti c a l g e o me t r i c a l a nd h a r m oni c a l

'

, , ,

r atio and m e ntions th e gr e at me di ae va l g a me o f Rith mo

,

mac hi a but the re is nothing in a ny o f this th a t h e c ould not

,
I

h a ve found in Bo e thius and othe r writ e rs with whos e works

h e was e vid e ntly fam ili a r He shows th a t h e knows t he .
2

works o f Ap ollonius a nd h e m e ntions th e thre e c onic s e c tions

,
3
,

st ating that o ne o f th e m is us e d in th e c onstruc tion o f burning

mirrors Inde e d it is in his o pt i e s that o ne must look fo r
.
,

wh at e ve r o f g e om e try B ac on kne w b e yond his nume rous ,

r e fe re nce s to Euclid .
4

IX . R ELATIO N O F MATHEM ATICS r o OTHE R S CIENCE S

HI S
Wh e n we c ome to c onsid e r B ac on s r e a l c onc e ption o f ’

mathe m ati c s th e a ppli c ation o f t he s c i e nc e to ast r onomy

,

a n d o pt i e s the re is c aus e fo r r anking him highe r in t he

,

s c al e His work on t he c a l e nd a r was for the ti m e not e

.
, ,

H ic l ud us s a p i e n c i e v o c at ur Ri t h mi ma c h i a i d e s t n u me r o rum , ,

p ug na N a m a d r i t h mo G r e c e n u m e r us e s t La t i n e e t mac hi a
”
. .
,

me d i a p ro d uc ta p u g n a d i c i t ur i n L a t i na e t h e c t ra d un t ur i n li b ri s
'

“
, ,

p ro p ri i s p e r s i n g ul a s p ra c t i c a s no m i n a t i s u t i n lib ro R i t h mi m a c hi e ,

e t i n Al go r i s m o c o mp l e t o i n i nt e gr i s e t f ra c t i o n i b us e t i n Al g e b ra ,

q ue e st n e g o c i a c i o e t i n A l m a g a b a l e q u e e s t c e n s u s e t i n l i b ro

Ab ac i [ Co uld h e h a v e m e a n t L e o n a r d o F i b o n a c c i s wo rk et in
’

a li is p ra c t i c i s Ari s m e t i e e Sloa n e M S f o l 8 5 a r
’
.
. .
, ,

I n D e c ommun i bu s ma thema ti ce t h e r e i s li tt l e mo r e o f t h eo re ti ca l
a ri t h me t i c t h a n i s fo u n d i n E u c li d a n d B o e t hi us .

I n t h e D i gb y
3
MS fo l .
71 b
. , th e re is a r e f e r e nc e ex l i bro pi ra
mi di s Ap o ll o n i i
H e m e n t i o ns h i m t hi rt y t i mes i n D e commun i bus ma thema tice .

Se e a ls o B re we r , p . l xxi v V o gl pp 6 7 —8 8 Ch arl es p zor

, .
, . .

1 689
1 78 R OG E R BA CON

wort hy as was also his work in o pti e s The s e to pi c s are

, .
,

howe ve r not t h e pro per subj e c t o f this p ape r and may

, ,

th e re for e b e dismiss e d with bri ef m e ntion In so far as .

h e sought p e r vi as m at h e m at i c ae v e rifi e are o m ni a qu a e in

nat ur al ib us s c i e nt ii s sunt n e ce ss ari a h e is d e s e rving o f
gr e at c r e dit for h e r e h e e nt e rs u pon t e rritory th at was
,

g e ne rall y unknown in his d ay But e ve n he re h e pl ac e d .

2

m athe m atic s r e l ative ly in t he b ac kground insisting th at its ,

c on c lusions should b e v e r i fi e d by e x e rim e nt For it was

p .

t h e e x pe rim e nt a l s c i e nc e th a t was t h e mistr e ss o f al l t he

r e st domina e st omnium s c i e nti arum prae c e d ent ium

, .
’

His Opti cs is b as e d m ainly on th e Thes aurus Opti ma o f

e l Ha sa n ibn e l H ai tam a work m a d e known to Euro pe an
- - 3
,

s c hol ars in t h e twe l fth c e ntury prob ably first through th e ,

transl ation o f G e r ard o f Cr e mona He m ade an a dvanc e .

on el H as a n ibn el H ait am in his study of par aboli c mirrors

- -
,

a nd his study o f t h e g e om e try o f t h e mi c rosco e and his

p
a pp a r e nt b e li e f in t h e ossibility f t h t l s o e both
p o e e e c p e ar

not e worthy “

In this c onn e xion m e ntion m ay pro pe rly b e m ad e o f his

sugg e stion o f th e possibility o f t he ae ro pl an e o f high s pe e d ,
-

Op u s M aj us , J e bb e d .
, p 64 . .

So i n D e c oe l es ti bu s , c ap i .
, or m o re c o rr e c t ly De c oel es ti bus ,

par t ii, c ap . 2 ( St e e l e , p .
q uo te d b y Ch a rl e s (p . 1 37 , n .
) f ro m
th e M a za r i n e M S .
, he s ay s N a t ura l e s mun d i [St e e l e ,
n ud i ] sc ia n t
q uo d l a n g ue b unt i n r eb us n a t u ra l ib u s [e t c e c u e i e nt : S te e le] , ni si

m at h e m at i ca e n o v e ru n t [no v e rin t z S t e e l e ] p o t es ta t e m i n q uam ,

b l a s ph e m an t e x i n fi ni t a i gn o ra n t i a e t p rop t e r e a o mn i um [re m m
, ,

’
n a t ura l i u rn ] ca r e n t c e rt i t u d i n e .

3
Se e p 1 I . .

E t c um v o l u e ri mus t
l o n g e p o si a v i d ea nt ur p rop i n q ua e t e
et

t
c o n r a ri o . It a ut in t
i n c r e d i b i l i d i s a nc i a v id e r e mus ar e nas e t
l i t t e ra s mi mi a s mi n ut a s
t i ssi ma v id e ant ur i nfi rna e t 8 c o n
, e t ut al

t ra i o e t oc c ul t a v i d e r e n t u r i n a p e rt o e t a p e rta o ec ul ta re n t ur e t
r , ,

q uod u n u m v id e re t u i n n u m e a b i li a e t e c on t ra ri o i t a ut p l u e s so l e
r r ,
r s

v i d e re n t u r p e r a r t i fi c i u m h ujus m o di G eo me t i e
’
e t p l u e s In n er r .

S lo a n e M S f o l 8 4 a .
,
Ci Opus M aj us ( e d B ri d ges ) i i 1 6 4—6 ;
.
, , 2 . . .
, .

Opus Ter ti um ( e d Li tt l e ) 4 1 .
, .
1 80 R OG ER BA CON

r e fe re n c e to t he a tomic the ory som e c onc e ption of t he

i nfin i t es i m al c a lc ul us
r
.

This is not t h e pl ac e to s pe ak at any l e ngth o f Baco n s ’

work a s a c osmogra phe r It is pro pe r howe ve r to m e ntion .

, ,

t h e fac t th a t h e kn e w t h e e a rth to b e s ph e ri c a l a nd th at ,

h e b e li e v e d t h e r a dius to b e m il e s H e the r e up on .

c om p ut e d t h e c ir c um fe r e n c e to b e mil e s using 3% ,

fo r 17 a nd b a sing his work u p on th a t o f Al fr a g a nus ( e l

'

Fa rg äni ) This l e d him to a ss e rt th e p ossibility o f voyaging

'
2
.

we stwar d from S pa in to India in a pass ag e that was ins e rt e d ,

3
,

Th e re f e re nc e is in t e r e st i n g . It sh o ws B acon at his wo rs t , t
bo h
i n b re a d h t of mi n d a nd in c l e arn e ss o f r e a so n i ng . N o n s i t mun d us
c o mp o s i t u s e x infi ni ti s c o r p o ri b u s e t i n di vi si b i li b us ath o mis , ut p o sn e
ru n t D e m o c ri t us et L e uc i p p u s et E p i c urus et mu l t i a li i , s e t e r u n t

c o r p o ra m un di fi n i t a e t d i v i s ibi li a N a m a li t e r se q u e f e t ur q uo d .

d ya m e t ri e s s e n t c o m m e n s ur a b il e s c o s t e e t n o n so l um c o mm e n s ura ,

b i l e s s e t e q u a l e s q u o r u m u t r u m q u e e s t p r i u s r e p r o b a t u m e t d e mo n
,

s t ra t u m s u p e r s e p t i m a m p r o p o s i c i o n e m d e c i m i E l e me u tor u m E u c li d i s ,

e t A ri s t o t e l e s e t o m n e s n un c f a t e n t u r q u o d h e c c o m m e n s u rac i o n o n

e st p o s sibi l i s .

Q u o d v e r0 h e c c o n s e q u e n c i a s i t v e ra p l a n um e s t e ui l i b e t s c i e n ti
po t e s ta t e m ge o me tri e i d e o i g n o ra n s e a m r e c urra t a d p ri o ra a n e
, et t
q u am a d p o s t r e m u m e o n e t u r A d e vi d e n c i a m t a m e n d e s e ri b a t u r
.

q ua d ra u m c um t d y a m e t ro ,
e t si n t la t e ra p unc t o rum t ra h a nt ur
10 ,

e rg o 10 a s i n gul i s p u n c t i s u n i us l a e r i s t a d s i n g u la p un c a a l e ri u s t t
la t e ri s o p p o s i t i t ,
u n c i ll e l i n e e o c c up a b un t t o t um s p a c i um q u a d ra t i e t
t o ta m d y a m e t rum , e t s i e d y a m e t e r n o n h a b e b i t n i s i 1 0 p un c t a e t i ta ,

n o n s olu m h a b e b i t mm un e m m e n s ura m s e t e q ual e m

’
co S e cun dus .

C ommuui um u a tum li um qu i e s t de ce les ti bus S t e e l e s e d i t i o n

’
L i ber , , ,

1 9 1 3, p 317 . .
2
Se e no e on t p . 16 1 .

D i c i A ri s t
t o t e l e s q uo d ma e parv um e st i n t e r fi ne m H isp a ni a e r

a p a r t e o c c i d e n t al i s e t i n t e r p ri n c i p i u m I n d i a e a p a rt e o ri e n t i s Et .

S e n e c a lib ro q ui n t o d i c i t q uo d m are h o c e s t n a v i ga b il e in p a u c i ss i mi s
d i e b us , s i v e n t u s s i t c o nv e ni e ns . Et P li n i us d o c e t i n N a t u ra li b us
q uo d n a v i g a t um e s t a s i n n Ara b i c o a d G ad e s u nd e r e f e rt q u e n d a m

t
f ugi ss e a r e g e s uo p ra e i mo re e t i n t ra v i t s i n um m a ris R ub ri q ui
v o ca t ur A ra bi c us , q ui c i rc i e r s p a t ti um n a v i ga t i o n i s a n n ua l i s d i sta t
a ma ri I n d i co m H i e ro ny mum i n e p i s t o l a ut i n fe r i us e x
s e c un d u ,

p o n e t ur E t id e o l a t i t ud o t e r ra e p e r q ua m d e e u rri t ma r e R ub rum
.

e s t m a g na v a l d e e x q u o p a t e t p r i n c i p i u m I nd i a e i n o r i e n t e mul tum

a n ob i s d i s t a r e e t a b H i s p ani a p os t q ua m t a n t u m d i sta t a p ri nc i p i o ,
 MATH EMATICS 1 81

withou t ac knowl e dg € m e nt o f its sour ce in the I me ga M uudz

'

o f Cardin al P e trus Alli a c us Humboldt b e li e ve d th at this ‘

.
,

whic h Columbus q uot e s in a l e tt e r to Fe rdin and and Is ab e ll a

had mor e t o do with t h e dis c ove ry of Am e ric a th an
t he Tos c an e lli l e tt e rs .

It is howe ve r in his work u pon t h e c al e nd a r th a t we find

, ,

o me t h i ng t a ngibl e in B a con s m a th e m a ti c s H e r e h e h ad ’
.

a d e fi ni t e t a sk to pe r form o n e r e quiring not m e r e ly a c c ur ac y ,

in obs e rvation but t h e ve ri fying o f old t abl e s and prob ably

,

t h e constr uc ting o f ne w one s a nd a c onsid e r a bl e a mount o f ,

c o m ut a tion
p .

With r e s pe c t to his sugg e stions for t h e r e form o f t h e

c al e nd ar we are not l e ft in th e d a rk sinc e the y are s e t forth ,

in t h e Opus M djus and th e r e for e h av e long b e e n known to

t h e world In this work a ddr e ss e d to Cl e m e nt I V in 1 2 6 7 h e
.
,

ass e rt e d th a t t h e l e ngth o f t h e y e a r o f t h e Juli a n c al e nd a r

is too gre at by o ne d ay in 1 2 5 ye ars This was a r e m ark abl e .

3

st at e m e nt for th e tim e th e gre at Al phonsine t abl e s whi c h , ,

h ad b e e n com pl e t e d only a fe w y e ars e a rli e r h a ving a ss e rt e d ,

th at t he e rror was o ne d ay in 1 34 ye ars 2 months He .

th e re for e sugg e st e d dro pping o ne d ay from t he Juli an c al e n

d a r e ve ry 1 2 5 ye ars st a ting th a t all t h e l e a rn e d world was
,

a wa r e o f t h e e rror in t h e Christi a n r ec koning a nd th at t h e

Churc h was th e r e by t he subj e c t o f ridi c ul e on t h e p a rt o f t h e

S arac e ns J e ws and Gre e ks
, , .

It is h a rdly worth whil e to e nt e r into the d e t ails o f Ba c on s

’

pro pos e d re form Suffi c e it to say th at h e hims e l f do e s

‘
.

A a b i a v e s u s I n d i am
r e r A fi n H i p a ni a e s ub t a ta n p a v um
. e s e rr r r

m a e st q uod no n p o t s t c oo p e i
r e t s q ua t as t e F om th e r re re r e r ra e .
’
r

B i d ge s e d i t i o n o f t h Opus M j us i
r
9 e a , . 2 0 .

H e d i ed in 1 4 2 5 H i s w k wa s fi s t p i n t e d a t Lo uv a i n i n 4 8 0
. or r r 1 .

2
As a l so i n th e u n p ub l i sh e d Computus i n M S R o ya l 7 F . . viii .

3
He fi r st sa id 1 30 y ea rs .

Th e rea d e r w i ll fi nd i t h e lp ful t o c o n sul t P ro f e s so r D e Mo rgan s

'

ar t i c le i n t h e Compan i on to the B ri ti s h A lma nac for 1 8 46 , p . 11 . On

t he que s t i o n o f t h e a u th e n t i c i ty o f hi s c a l e n d a r c o nsult , O H a ll i
.

we ll Ram M a the mati ca Lo nd o n 1 8 4 1 p 1 1 4

, , , , . .
1 82 R OG ER BA CON

not t e ll how he r e ac h e d his c on c lusion as to t he Juli an “

c al e nd a r b e ing t o o long by o ne d ay i n 1 2 5 y e a rs a clos e r

'

a ppr oxim ation t h a n a ny th a t is known to h a ve b e e n sug

‘

g est e d b e fore his time At any r at e Cl e m e nt s d e ath or

.
’

p ossibly t h e a nt a gonism g e n e r a lly a rous e d by B ac on , put

an e n d to a ny p l a ns for r e form a nd it was not until Cl a vius ,

was c a ll e d to Rom e a nd b e nt his e ne rgi e s to furth e r t h e

,

roj e c t o f t h e Gr e gori an c al e nd a r th a t a fairly s atis fac tory

p ,

syst e m was e volve d .

X . CO NCL U S I O N

And finally in vie w o f all th at h as b e e n s aid wh at is t h e

, ,

c on c l usion as to B ac on s m a th e m a ti c al t al e nts One is

’

li abl e to b e le d away by e nthusi asm wh e n writing u pon t h e

o c c asion o f t h e s e v e n hundre dth a nnive rs a ry of any gre at
l e ade r to r e ad into his works wh at is not the r e and to a s c rib e
, ,

to him ab iliti e s whi c h h e n e ve r p oss e ss e d Ag ainst thi s t e n .

de ne y it is alw ays n e c e ss ary to b e on gu ard On t h e oth e r .

h a nd we who are e ast in Na tur e s sm all e r moulds t e nd b y

,
’

our own in fe riority to d e pr e c i at e t h e gr e atne ss o f the world s ’

l e a d e rs To w e igh in we ll b al a nc e d j udi c i al s c al e s t he m e r its

.
-

o f a n y m an a nd p ar ti c ul a rly o f a n g e nius is v e ry
,
y a ,

d iffi e ul t t a sk .

I f we ask ours e lve s t h e qu e stion wh e th e r Bac on wa s

docti s s i mus mathema ti cus we m ust first d e fin e our t e rms, .

I f we m e a n to inqui r e i f h e was jus t i fi e d by his wid e know ,

l e dg e o f m ath e m ati c s and by a ny gr e at dis c ove ri e s in assum ,

ing t he a ttitude o f su pe r iority whi c h h e showe d tow ards

most o f his c ont e m p or a ri e s th e r e c a n b e but o ne a nswe r
, ,

an d th a t a n e g a tiv e o ne I f on t h e oth e r h a nd we us e t he
I
.
, ,

t e rms r e l ative ly r e fe r r ing to B ac on as a s c hol ar a nd a l e ad e r

,

o f s c hol a rs in t h e thirt e e nth c e ntury th e n t he a nsw e r is un ,

qu e stion ably an affi r m ative o ne No o ne in his g e ne r ation .

,

t t
O n t h e p a uc i y o f hi s g e o m e r y , c o n s ul a lso S e e le s e d i io n o f t h et t '
t
Opera ha ctenus i n e dzta Hog eri B a con i O fo rd a n d Lo n d o n , 1 9 1 0 —1 3
'

,
x .
 RO GE R B A CON U ND SE I N E V E RD IE N STE
'

U M DI E O P TI K
V O N EILH ARD W IEDEMANN
DREIMAL h ab e n h e rvorr ag e nd e e nglis c h e G e le hrt e in
we itr e ic h e nd e r We is e d as We s e n de r in d e n Naturwiss e n
s c h aft e n b e nutzt e n Me thod e n e ing e h e nd e rort e rt Rog e r
.

Ba con im dr e iz e hnt e n J a hrhund e rt in v e rs c hi e d e n e n We rk e n ,

vor a ll e m in d e m Opus M aja s und terti urn B ac on von Ve rul am

,

am End e d e s s e c hz e hnt e n und An fang d e s si e bz e hnt e n

J ahrhund e rts in s e in e m Novum Orga ne n und e ndli c h Wh e we ll

,

im n e unze hnt e n J ahrhund e rt in s e ine r G e s c hi c ht e und

s e in e r Philoso phi e d e r induktive n Wiss e ns c h aft e n All e .

dre i h ab e n d i e Be d e utung d e r ind uktive n Me thode g e g e nüb e r

und n e b e n d e r d e r d e duktive n b e tont s i e h ab e n si e ab e r
nicht e r fund e n St e ts h ab e n d i e Na tur fors c h e r b e wusst
.

und di e Ve rtre t e r d e r übrig e n Wiss e ns c h aft e n unb e wusst a uc h

d as induktive V e r fahr e n e ing e s c hl a g e n und umg e k e hrt
,

ge ht m an in d e n Na turwiss e ns c ha ft e n a u c h d e duktiv vor so ,

we nn n ac h Au fst e llung e ine r Hyp othe s e d e r e n Konse qu e nze n

in e in e r Th e ori e dur c hg e führt we rde n Die induktive .

Me thod e g e ht in ihre r Grund form philoso phis c h a uf Sokr at e s

zur üc k Be i d e n ob e n e rwah nt e n dre i Fors c h e rn tr e t e n
.

ne b e n de n me th odo logiseh e n und philoso phisch e n Unt e r

su c hung e n e ig e n e e x pe rim e nt e lle Arb e it e n züruc k B e i .

Rog e r B acon s p i e lt e hi e r si c he r d e r von ihm s e lbst b eklagt e

Ma ng e l an Hil fsmitt e ln e in e gross e Roll e Ba c on von Ve ru
,

l ams Z e it war mit g a nz and e re n Au fg ab e n e r füllt a ls d as s

,

e r si c h l a ngwi e rig e n V e rsu c h e n hätt e widm e n könne n und ,

 86 R OG E R B A CON

fur Whe we ll h att e wohl n ac hd e m e r si c h e inm a l philos o

,

p h i s c h e n Probl e m e n zug e w a ndt h att e d i e Kl e in a rb e it i m

,

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nung d i e a u c h sonst b e ob ac ht e t wird All e l e bt e n ab e r in

,
.

e in e r Z e it ,
in d e r e in e F ül l e von e xpe rirne nt e lle m Sto ff
vorl ag d e ss e n B e d e utung von d e n Ve rtr e t e rn d e r sog
,
.

G e ist e swiss e ns c h aft e n und vor all em von d e n e n d er Th e ologi e

ni c ht e nts pr e c h e nd g e s c hätzt wurd e Di e s g alt vor all e m
.

von R B ac on d e ss e n g e l e h rt e Z e itg e noss e n als S c hol astike r

.
,

si c h g a nz in philoso phis c h e S p e k u l ation e n ve rti e ft e n und von

e in e m st a rk e n Aut o ri t a t sgla ub e n e rfull t w a r e n wi e wir di e s ,

s p ät e r in d e m K am pf d e r Aristot e like r g e ge n di e Fo rs c hung e n

G a l il e is wi e d e r b e ob ac ht e n V o r all e m g e g e n di e s e n Auto
.

ri t ät s gl aub e n w andt e si c h R B a c on und e rr e gt e d a dur c h

.

m annig fac h e n Wide rs pr uc h ; ind e s st a nd e r d ar in ni c ht

all e in wi e e r so b e tont a u c h d e r um 1 30 0 l e b e nd e Th e o
,

d or i c u s Te ut o ni c us in s e in e r S c hri ft üb e r d e n R e g e nbog e n ,

d ass m an d e m Ex p e rim e nt m e hr a ls d e m Aristot e l e s

ve rtr a ue n soll t e Di e s sti c ht sond e rb ar ab von d e r Art wi e
.
,

s p ät e r S c h e in e rs Entd e c ku ng d e r So nne nfle c ke n dur c h s e ine -

Ob e r e n a bg e l e h n t wu r d e .

Anr e gung e n zu d e r ind uktive n Art d e s Arb e it e ns und

V orläu fe r in di e s e r Ri c htung fand R B ac on z ahl re i c h e vor
. .

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,

s e tzung e n a us d e m Ar abis c h e n b e k a nnt e n We rk e bot e n ,

hi e r nur s e h r we nig In d e r kl assis c h e n abg e klärt e n Form

.
,

tr e t e n vor all e m in d e r Optik d e s E uklid wie in d ess e n ,

El e m e nt e n d i e W e g e a uf d e n e n d i e R e sult a t e g e wonn e n
, ,

wa re n g anz zurü c k e twa s a nd e r e s li e g e n d i e Ve rhältniss e

,

in d e r Op tik d es Ptol e m ä us Da g e ge n e nthi e lt e n di e

.

R Bac on b e k annt e n a r abis c h e n We rke e ine Füll e e xpe rime n

.

t e lle n Mat e ri als und e x pe rim e nt e ll e r Me thodik so vor all e m ,

di e o p tis c h e n S c hri ft e n v o n I b n a l H a it a m d e m o ft von ih m ,

zi t ie rt e n Alh ac e nus Be i Rog e r B ac on finde n wi r wi e be i

.
,

z ahlr e i c h e n m uslimis ch e n Fors c h e rn no c h e ine ande re ,

 1 88 R OG ER B A CON

a be r als e rst e r e in e Art d e r Be h andlung b e n utzt die in ,

s e in e r S c hri ft de S pecuh s u ns e ntg e g e ntritt Nac h e in e r

'

g e om e tris c h e n Konstr uktion E uklids sollt e d e r Bre nn punkt

i m Mitt e l p unkt d e s s phäris c h e n Hohls p i e g e ls n ac h R B ac on , .

s e lbst ab e r we it e r n ac h d em S pi e g e l zu li e ge n Unt e r nur .

g e ring e r B e nutzung m ath e m atis c h e r S c hlüss e we rd e n aus

Be t r ac htung e n a llg e m e in e r A rt d i e b e id e n R e sult a t e d i e ,

zun ac hst b e id e ri c htig zu s e in s c h e in e n e ing e h e nd diskuti e rt ,

u nd d i e t a tsä c hli c h e Lag e d e s B r e nn unkt e s g e fund e n Wir

p .

h ab e n hie r e i n all ge m e in e re s V e r fahr e n als d as von d en

V o rg a ng e rn R Bac ons g e übt e ; e s tr agt wie mir sch e int
.
, ,

e in e n Ch a r a kt e r d e r si c h d a nn b e i a b e ndländis c h e n G e l e hrt e n
,

imm e r wi e de r find e t .
I

De r Sto ff an d e n d i e G e l e hrt e n in d e r Z e it R B ac ons

, .

und di e s e r s e lbst ank nu pfe n konnt e n war e inm a l aus d e m ,

Alt e rt um g e ko mm e n und t e ils dur c h dir e kt e Tr a dition ub e r

mitt e lt t e ils a us d e n a r abis c h e n und he bräis c h e n Ueb e rs e tzun
,

ge n d i e s e lbst wi e d e r in d as La t e inis c h e u b e r t rage n wurd e n

, ,

zug ängli c h g e word e n V or a ll e m w ar e n e s ab e r d ie Erg e b

.

niss e d e r muslimis c h e n G e l e hrt e n di e für R B ac on von , .

Be d e utung w a r e n e r ziti e rt s e lbst d e r e n e in e g anz e R e ih e .

V on a nd e r e n h at e r si c h e r g e hört Z e igt si c h doch je m e hr

.
,

wir K e nntnis von d e n Le istung e n d e r a r abis c h s p re c h e nd e n

Nation e n e rh alt e n wi e we it di e s e fortg e s c hritt e n w a r e n und
, ,

wi e vi e l von ihn e n a n d as christli c h e Ab e ndl a nd mitg et e ilt

wurd e So fusst ja P a pst Sylve st e r in s e in e n g e odätis c he n
.

Arb e it e n auf allg e m e in im Ori e nt ve rbr e it e t e n Me thod e n so ,

lässt si c h Fri e dri c h I I von ägyptis c h e n G e l e hrt e n b e l e hr e n

.
,

Al phons von Cas t ilie n e ntnimmt ihn e n s e in e We ishe it w e it e r ,

l ass e n si c h vi e l e Notize n in Le on ardos We rke n auf U e b e r

s e tz ung e n aus d em Ar abisch e n zur ü c kführ e n Gross ist .

d i e uns b e k annt e Z a hl von sol c h e n ; vi e l e s s pricht a be r

d afur d a ss d a n e b e n noch z ahlre i c h e a nde re z B in d as
, ,
. .

It ali e nis c h e vorh a nd e n w a r e n

, Ne b e n d e n th e ore tisch e n
.

V g l d i A b e i t o n J W ürs c h m i d t i n d i e se m B a n d e
. e r v . .
 U EBER DIE OP TI K 1 89

Erge bniss e n sind ab e r a uch t e ils durch G e s c h e nk t e ils als ,

Be ut e Prob e n d e r Wund e rw e rk e d e r Te c hnik wie s i e d i e

, ,

Or i e nt a l e n s c hu fe n so d i e Autom at e n und d i e kunstvoll e n

,

Uhre n in d as Ab e ndl and g e br ac ht word e n von a nde re n

, ,

ha be n K au fle ut e und Kr e uz fahr e r b e r ic ht e t V on sol c he n .

We rk e n h at au c h R B ac on g e hört ode r s i e g e s e h e n so e rkläre n

.
,

sic h m an c h e s e in e r m e c h a nis c h e n Konstruktion e n und

s e ine r Plän e n ac h di e s e r Ri c htung di e d e r Z e it e nts pr e c he nd
,

üb e r d as m oglic h e hin a us we i t e ng e s po nne n we rd e n .

Um d i e Le istu n g e n R B ac ons n e b e n d e n e n gl e i c hz e itig e r

.

und fr üh e r e r G e l e hrt e n i n d e r muslimis c h e n We lt ri c htig zu

würdig e n muss m an d i e g a nz ve rs c hi e d e n e n V e rhältniss e
, ,

unt e r d e n e n s i e wirkt e n b e ac ht e n In d e r musli m is c he n

, .

We lt h a tt e e in e S c h a r von G e l e hrt e n zunä c hst unt e r de m

S c hut z d e r Ch ali fe n d as Erb e d e r Antik e a u fg e no m me n
und we it e r e ntwi c k elt An d e n ve rs c hi e d e nst e n Ort e n
.

e ntst a nd e n S c hul e n d i e e inz e ln e n Fors c h e r tr a t e n in d e n

,

r e gst e n We c hs e lve rk e hr und g a nz a bg e s e h e n von d e m

,

int e lle ktu e ll e n Int e r e ss e a n Math e m atik und Astronomie

wie s e n d ie p r aktis c he n Be d urfni ss e d ie Be sti m mung d e r
,

G e b e tsze it e n d i e Au fg ab e n d e r Ar c hit e kt e n a uf s i e hin

,
.

Mo c ht e a u c h in s p ät e r e n Z e it e n die Orthodoxi e si c h zu d e n
e x a kt e n Wiss e ns c h a ft e n wi e zu g e wiss e n p hiloso phis c h e n

Ric htunge n fe indli c h st e ll e n ja d e r e n We rk e ve rbr e nn e n

, ,

so war d as do c h ni e in d e m g a nze n R e i c h d e r F a ll G e r a de .

in solc he n Z e it e n wurde d ie gross e St e rnwa rt e in Mar aga

ge gründ e t Na sir al Di n al Tüs i l e it e t s ie und n e b e n ih m
, ,

wirkt e n a nd e r e S e lbst e in dur c h s e ine s ufi s c h e n Be s tre

.

bunge n th e ologis c h so g e fährd e t e r Mann wi e Om ar a l Ch ai,

j ami konnt e We rke e rst e n R ang e s s c haffe n Ue be rwog e twa

, .

in e ine m Sult an at di e orthodox e Ri c htung zu s e hr so bot e n ,

a nd e r e Hö fe d e n G e l e hrt e n e in e willkomm e n e Zufluc h t ss t e ll e .

Da dur c h wa re n a ll e Be dingung e n fü r e in e e msige wiss e n

schaftli c he Tätigke it d e s e inze ln e n g e g e b e n G a nz a nd e rs .

lag di e s b e i R Ba con . Er war unt e r s e ine n Z e itg e noss e n

.
1 99 R OG E R BA CON

fa st d e r inzig e d e r si c h n aturwiss e ns c h aftlich e n Probl e m e n

e ,

zuwa ndt e ; st att d e r sorg fältige n vi e l fac h kom me nti e rt e n

a r a bis c h e n U e b e r se t zu ng e n a u s d e n a lt e n S p r ac h e n st a nd e n

ihm n ur d i e durc h e in e do ppe lt e U e b e rtragung o ft s ehr v e r

d e rb t e n Te xt e zur V e r fügu n g Als Fr anzisk a ne r st and e r
.

u nt e r d e r str e ng e n Au fsi c ht d e s Ord e ns und we nn di e s e r ,

e twa s fü r ir r ig od e r v e rw e r fli c h e rkl ä rt h a tt e so war e in ,

A rb e it e n in d e r gl e i c h e n Ri c htung s e hr e rs c hwert ja w e nn , ,

d e r P a p st si c h d e ss e n Ans c h auu ng e n a ns c hloss unm o gli c h ,

g e m ac ht G e r a d e di e s e U m ständ e h ab e n R Ba con st e ts
. .

und st e ts g e hinde rt Nur i m ä uss e rst e n Sud e n in Sizili e n

.
, ,

hätt e e r fr e i e r arb e it e n kön ne n Wir muss e n d ah e r do ppe lt

.

a n e rk e nn e n d a ss e r trotz all e d e m so vi e l g e l e ist e t h at

,
.

G e g e nüb e r d e n früh e r e n G e l e hrt e n und a u c h e in e m Te il

d e r s p ät e r e n h a t R B ac on a b e r d as gross e V e rdi e nst in
.
,

syst e m atis c h e r We is e auf d ie Be de utung d e r Er fahrung

hing e wi e s e n und g e z e igt zu h ab e n d a ss wir auf zwe i Art e n ,

e rk e nn e n dur c h d e n S c hluss ( a rgumenturn ) und dur c h d e n

,

Ve rs uc h (experi menta m) Dab e i b e tont e r d ass man ohn e

.
,

d e n V e rsu c h od e r was o ft a n d e ss e n St e ll e tritt di e Be ob ac h

, ,

t u ng b e zw E r fahrung in vi e l e n Fäll e n zu
.
,

ke in e m si c h e re n R e s u lt at g e l a ng e n k a nn B e i d e m d am a .

lige n St and d e r Wiss e ns c h aft ist e s n atürli c h d ass b e sond e rs ,

z ahlre i c he Be is pi e l e d e r Optik e ntnomm e n sind Ei n we i .

t e re s typ is c h e s B e is pi e l aus e in e m a nd e r e n G e bi e t se i we nig

st e ns e rwähnt Es wird b e ri c ht e t d ass d e r Di a m ant nur
.
,

unt e r Z uhil fe n ahm e von B o c ksblut z e rkl e ine rt we rd e n k ann

e i n V e rsu c h l e hrt R Bac on d ass d as ni c ht d e r F al l ist son
.
, ,

d e rn d e r Di a m ant nur dur c h d e n Di am ant z e rkl e in e rt wird .

Im f olg e nd e n s oll e n di e p hysik alis c h e n K e nntniss e und

Le istung e n R Bac ons a uf e in e m von i hm b e sond e rs g e fl e gt e n
.

p
G e bi e t e n amli c h dern de r Op tik e twa s e ing e h e nde r g e würdigt
, ,

we rd e n .

V on all e n Zwe ige n d e r Na t urwissensc h a ft en konn e n w e nn ,

wir von d e r Astronomi e abs e h e n im Mitt e l alt e r als Wiss e n ,

 R OG E R B A CON

d ass s ie ni c ht nur e in e n Z we ig d e r Ma the m a t ik sond e rn ,

ihre n Gi pfe l bild e t Bac on s e lbst s c hild e r t s ie n ac h d e r

.

Ausg a b e von Co m b ac h in d e r Einl e it ung z ur P erspecti va

e twa f olg e nd e rm a ss e n

Ic h m o c ht e Di c h u nd a nd e r e d e r Wiss e ns c h a ft wurdig e
Ma nn e r fü r d i e Wiss e ns c h a ft d e r P e rs pecti va b e g e is t e rn So .

wi ss e d e nn d a ss z ahlr e i c h e Männ e r ü be r di e s e Wiss e ns c h aft

,

g e s c hri e b e n h ab e n e i nig e wie Euklid un d J ac obus Alk i nd i

,

h a b e n nur all zuwe nig g e s c hri e b e n a nd e re h ab e n Ab b a nd

,

lung e n üb e r e inze l n e Te il e d e r P e rs pe k t iv a ve r fa sst w ie d as ,

B u c h üb e r d as S e h e n d a sj e nig e üb e r d ie S p i e g e l u nd no c h
,

a nd e r e. Alh a z e n ( Ibn a l H ai tam) war sowohl d e m S t o ff

wi e d e r Da r st e llung n ac h g a r zu we i t s c h we i fig währ e nd ,

Ptol e mäus r e c ht mitt e l m ässig ve r fuhr Au f De i n e n Wuns c h .

hin will i c h nun d as We s e ntli c h e a us a ll e n S c hri ftst e ll e rn

zus a m me n fa ss e nd d a rst e ll e n Dab e i muss ma n ab e r me in
.

We rk üb e r di e S pe zi e s st e ts zu Händ e n h ab e n d a ma n sons t ,

ni c ht d as We rtvoll e d e r P e rs p e k t i v a v e rst e h e n k a nn .

D i e s e Wiss e ns c h a ft ist w e i t s c hö n e r und nützli c h e r a ls

a nd e r e und a u c h e rgötzli c h d a u n s e r E rgötz e n h a u p tsä c hli c h
,

a u f d e m S e h e n b e ruht .Li c ht un d F a r b e sind i m V e rhältnis

zu d e n a nd e r e n Ding e n d ie u ns d urc h d ie Sin n e zuge tr age n
,

we r d e n von b e sond e r e r S c hönh e it a b e r ni c ht nur um

,

S c hönh e it h an d e lt e s si c h d ab e i sond e rn a u c h um d e n
,

Nutz e n und d i e E r füllung von B e dü r fn i s s e n Aristot e l e s .

s agt ja im e r st e n B uc h d e r Me t ap hysik d ass d e r Bli c k ,

a ll e in uns d i e Unt e rs c hi e d e in d e n Ding e n a u fw e ist de nn

d ur c h ihn g e winn e n wir si c h e r e Er fah r ung e n üb e r a ll e Ding e ,

d i e im Hi m m e l und a uf d e r E rd e si c h fi n d e n D ur c h zum .

S e h e n e ing e ri c ht e t e Instrum e nt e b e tr ac ht e t m an di e Er sch e i

nung e n am Himm e l wi e Ptol e m äu s und d i e a nd e re n
,

Astronom e n l e hr e n e b e nso ist di e s b e i d e n Ding e n d e r F all ,

d ie in d e r Lu ft e rz e ugt w e rd e n so d e n Kom e t e n d e m
, ,

Re g e nbog e n und ähnli c h e n Ers c h e inung e n De nn d e re n .

Erh e bung üb e r d e n Horizont ihr e Gröss e G e st alt Me ng e

, , ,

und a ll e ihr e Eig e ns c h aft e n we rd e n dur c h di e Be tr a c htun g

mit d e m Aug e unt e r Zuhil fe n ahm e von Instrum e nt e n si c h e r
ge st e llt Wa s si c h ab e r a uf d e r Erd e find e t d as l e rn e n wir
.
,

durc h de n G e si c htss i nn k e nn e n d e nn de r B lind e k ann üb e r

,

di e s e We lt k e in e we rtvoll e n Er fahrung e n s amm e ln .

’

( Hi e r a n s c hli e sst si c h
V e rgl e i c h m it
e in de m Hore n ,

Ri e c h e n Fühl e n d ann wird fortg e fahr e n )

, , .
 U EBER DIE O P TI K 1 93

Nur d as was , ist und z ahl re ich e und h e rrli c h e

n ut zli c h ,

Wahrh e it e n um fasst k a nn e in e Wiss e ns c h aft für si c h bilde n

, ,

sonst g e nügt e s d e n G e g e nst and als e in e n Te il e in e r a nd e re n

,

Wiss e ns c h aft zu b eh ande ln Nun h ab e n d ie Philoso phe n von

.

a ll e n Sinn e n nur f ü r d as S e h e n e in e b e sond e r e Wiss e ns c h a ft

g e s c h affe n di e P erspecti va ; d ah e r muss die Erke nntniss
,

durch di e s e n Sinn e ine n we it höh e r e n Nutz e n als dur c h

e in e n a nd e r e n Sinn bring e n Was i c h so e b e n im Allg e m e in e n
.

a usg e führt h ab e soll im folg e nd e n im Ei nz e ln e n b e tr acht e t

,

we rde n ind e m i c h di e Wurz e ln di e s e r s c hönst e n Wiss e ns c h a ft

,

a u fd e c k e . Ein e a nd e r e Wiss e ns c h a ft m a g höh e r st e h e n k e in e ,

bi e t e t ab e r so vi e l an li ebli c h e m und s c hön e m Nutz e n d ar .

’

Die Erg e bniss e s e in e r o ptis c h e n Fors c hung e n hat R Bacon .

an ve rs c hi e d e n e n St e ll e n unt e r ve rs c hi e d e n e n G e si c hts
p unkt e n zus amm e ng e st e llt Ein e E inz e lunt e rsu c hung üb e r
.

d ie Hohls pi e g e l gibt d e r Tra cta tus de s peculzs d a nn b e h a nd e lt

'

Bac on d ie Optik zwe im a l im Opus majus In d e r P erspecti va .

li efe rt e e r e in e kn appe g e istvoll e U e b e rsi c ht üb e r d e n d a m a

,

lig e n St a nd di es e r Wiss e ns c h aft d i e im H e r aush e b e n d e r ,

wes e ntli c he n Punkt e im Zurü c kdräng e n des r e in Mat he ma

,

tis c h e n und in d e r Ers e tzung l ang atmig e r B e we is e durch

a ns c h auli c h e B e tr ac htung e n uns e in e n w e rtvoll e n Einbli c k

in d ie gross e Kl arh e it d e s De nk e ns un s e re s G e l e hrt e n li e fe rt .

I m Gross e n und G a nz e n f olgt Ba con d e r Dis p osition d es

Sto ffe s wie si e Ibn al H ait am in s e in e r Optik g e g eb e n Mag .

a u c h fast All e s ält e r e n vor all e m a r abis c he n Que ll e n e nt

, ,

nomm e n s e in Form und Au ffassung sind mod e rn ni c ht m e hr

, ,

schol a stis c h .

Die Le hr e von d e n S pe zi e s vor all e m di e j e nig e von d e r e n

,

M ulti pli ca ti o wi r d hö c hst c h ar akt e ristis c h nic ht in a bstr akt e r

,

We is e b e h and e lt sond e rn vi e l fac h unt e r Ans c hluss an

,

o ptis c h e Ers c h e inung e n Endli c h zi e ht Bac on um de n

.
,

We rt d e r Math e m atik n ac hzuw e is e n vi e l fac h Be is pie l e aus ,

d e r Optik h e r an In d e m Abs c hnitt üb e r die S ci enti a

.

Experi mentales di e nt e ndli c h d e r R e g e nbog e n zur Erlaut e rung

'

de r e x pe rim e nt e ll e n auf d ie Ansch auung gegrund e te n

Me thodik .

168 9
1 94 R OG E R BA CON

We nd e n wir uns nun zur Optik s e lbst ! Sie wird von

R B ac on wie von s e in e n V orgäng e rn we s e ntli c h als e ine
.
, ,

Le hr e vom S e h e n b e h a nd e lt d h die Probl e m e w e rd e n vom

, . .

p hysiologis c h e n b e zw p sy c hologis
. c h e n St a nd p unkt a us

e rört e rt . Ni c ht d e r G ang d e r Str ahl e n ist d as was in d e r ,

P erspecti va zun ac hst unt e rsu c ht wird sond e rn e s wird ,

g e fr agt we l c h e Eindru c k e Tausc hungen B ilde r e rh alt d as

, , ,

A ug e b e i ge r adlinig forts c hr e it e nd e n refle kt iert e n und ,

g e bro c h e n e n Str ahl e n Di e Str ahlung s e lbst und ihr e

.

Z erlegung b e i R e fl e xion und B r e c hung di e n e n als Be is p i e l

für di e Le hr e von d e r multi pli ca ti o speci erum hi e r fr e ilich in ,

so a usgi e big e r We is e d ass di e s e r Abs c hnitt b e i R B ac on

,
.

e in e O p tik in uns e r e m Sinn d arst e llt e r ist zu e rgänz e n

durc h d e n Tr akt at üb e r die S p i e ge l od e r ri c htig e r üb e r d i e

Hohls pi e g e l Di es e Art d e r B e h andlung dür ft e no c h e in e n
.

b e sond e r e n Grund h ab e n ; in d e n m e ist e n Fäll e n sind di e

von uns wahrg e nomm e ne n Bild e r ni c ht re elle di e d urch d as
'

S c hn e id e n wirkli c h vorh and e n e r b e ob ac htb ar e r Str ahl e n

e ntst a nd e n sind sond e rn e s sind vi rtuelle Bild e r also im
, ,

Sinn e de r a lt e r e n Optik e r o ptis c he Täus c hung e n in a nde re n

Fäll e n h and e lt e s si c h z B b ei d e m Be tr ac ht e n d er G eg en
. .

stände in g e r ad e r Ri c htung g ar ni c ht um Bild e r sond e rn , ,

um d ie B e urt e ilung d er Gröss e G e st alt und B e we gu ng von ,

Obj e kt e n .

Da n e b e n wird a u c h d e r Str ahl e ngang s e lbst b e ob ac ht e t

und b etr ac ht e t we nn e r si c h dur c h b e sond e r e Ersch e inung e n
,

ke nntli c h m ac ht zun ac hst b e i d er g e r adlinig e n Fort pfl anzung

, .

Di e s e b e we ist wi e R Bac on e rwähnt al Kindi dur c h d ie

, .
,

S c h att e nlini e n d e r Kör pe r und Alha z e n durc h di e si c htb ar e n

Lini e n d i e e ntst e h e n w e nn Li c ht in e i n Z imm e r e indringt
, , ,

in de m si c h st a ubig e Luft b e find e t We it e r w e rde n di e .

Li c htstr ahl e n e ing e h e nd v e r folgt b e i d e n Br e nns p i e g e ln ,

sowohl d e n s ph aris c h e n wi e d e n par abolisch e n in ihre n

,

v e rs c hi e d e n e n Form e n und e ndli c h b e i d e r Br e c hung se i

, ,

e s d ass d i e Abhängigk e it von Ein fa llswink e l und Ab le nk u n s

g
1 96 R OG ER BA CON
°

H ai ta m a ng e g e b e n e Be stim mung d a ss e in fall e nd e r Str ahl , ,

re fle kt ie rt e r Stra hl und Ein fallslot in e in e r Eb e n e li e g e n

müss e n fe hlt Z ugl e ic h wird n ac h Alh az e n e in A ppara t

,
.

b es c hri e b e n um d as Re fle xionsge se t z zu p r ü fe n
,
.

Da s B i ld li e gt d a wo d i e S e hstr a hl e n di e n ac hhe r n a ch
, ,

d e m Obj e kt r e fl e kti e rt w e rd e n b e i ihr e r V e rlange rung si c h

,

mit d e r K athe t e d h de m vom Obj e kt a uf d ie s pi e g e lnde

, . .

Fläche g e fällt e n Lo t sc hn e id e n Dara us folgt d ass be i .

,

e b e n e n S p i e g e ln d as B ild e b e nso w e it hint e r di e s e m li e gt ,

wie d e r G e g e nst a nd vor ihn e n .

Als S pi eg e l b e nutzt R Bacon sol c he aus Erz gut e m St ahl

. , ,

Silb e r und mit Bl e i hint e rl egt e m Gl as .

Spi e ge l art e n gibt e s n ac h R Ba c on und d e n G e l e hrt e n .

,

d i e si c h mit d e r P e rs pe kt i va b e fasst h a b e n si e b e n : De n ,

e be ne n , d e n s ph ä ris c h e n d e n pyra mid e nform ige n ( k e g e l

,

f örmig e n ) und d e n zylind e r f örmig e n d ie j e w e ilig inn e n od e r ,

a uss e n p oli e rt sind a lso von d e r I nn e n,

od e r Ausse nflac he
d as Li c ht zur ü ckwe r fe n Da zu kommt d ann d e r p ar a
.

b olisc h e S pi e g e l d e n Ibn al H a it a m e b e nso wi e Rog e r Ba con

,

für si c h b e h a nd e lt .

Be i d e n e b e n e n S pi e g e ln we rd e n d i e a u ftr e t e nd e n Gross e n
s e hr s c h ar f d e fini e rt Be i ihn e n ist d e r I rrtum im V e rhältnis
.

zu a nd e r e n S pi e g e ln a m kl e inst e n d a d ie Ding e in e nts pr e ,

e b e nd e r Form und Gross e a u ftr e t e n Nur d i e r e l ative Lag e .

ist g e ände rt d as r e cht e wird zum linke n ( im s e nkre cht e n

,

S pi eg e l ) d as ob e re zum unt e re n ( im horizont ale n) Mit

, .

all e n Sp i e ge l art e n h ab e n d i e e b e n e n d as g e m e ins a m d ass ,

we d e r die Dinge s e lbst an ihre r wahre n St e ll e e rsch e in e n

noch d ass d e r Ort d e r Bild e r dort lie gt Hi e r b e tont nun .

R Bac on d ass d er Ort d e r B ild e r e i n ni cht wi rkli cher ist ;

.
,

e r s agt We nn wir vom Ort d e s Bild e s s pre c h e n ve rst e h e n ,

wir d arunt e r nur di e Ersche inung d es D ing e s und nicht s

a nd e r e s
’
.

Nac hd e m d ie G e s e tz e d e r R e fl e xion fe stg e l e gt sind konne n ,

d ie an S pie g e ln a u ftr e t e nd e n Ers c h e inung e n e ing e h e nd

 U EBER DI E OP TI K 197

b e h and e lt we rd e n Dur c h pass e nde Anordnung von sol c h e n

.

k ann e i n Ge ge nst and m e hr fac h e rs c h e in e n also in Wink el ,

s pi e g e ln Hi e rb e i we ist uns e r G e l e hrt e r auf die m annig

.

fa c h e n Kunststü c k e d i e m an mit sol c h e n S p i e g e ln a us führ e n

,

k ann hin d ass G e g e nst a nd e d a e rs c h e in e n wo sie ni c ht sind

, ,

us w . Hie r mis c h e n si c h ab e rgl äubis c he V orst e llung e n e in .

Di e D am o n e n soll e n dur c h S p i e g e l d e n Me ns c h e n wund e r

b ar e Ding e z e ig e n und v e rborg e n e Ding e an d as Tag e sli c ht
bring e n .

We it e r wird a u s d e m Re fle x i o n s ge se t z g e s c hloss e n d ass ,

d as Mond und St e rn e nli c ht ni c ht r e fle k t ie rt e s Sonn e nli c ht

s e in ka nn d a di e s e s b e i d e n als vollkomm e n gl att vo rausg e
,

s e tzt e n kug e l förmig e n G e stirne n nur n ac h e in e r Ri c htung

r e fl e kti e rt we rd e n wurd e Die Kr aft d e r Sonn e wirkt .

vi e lm e hr auf d ie G e stirn e und e rz e ugt d as Le u c ht e n .

Di e Tats a c h e d a ss w e nn ma n e in e n b e l e gt e n Gl a ss pi e g e l
, ,

unt e r Wass e r l e gt man zwe i Bild e r von d er Sonn e und d em

,

Mond si e ht wi r d i m Unt e rs c hi e d von a nd e r e n ri c htig e rklärt

,
.

Aus d e r Ang a b e d ass we nn man a uf hoh e n Be rg e n g e g e n

, ,

ub e r von fe indli c h e n St aa t e n und H e e r e n S pi e ge l a u fst e llt ,

m a n all e s was in b e li e big e r E nt fe rnung g e s c hi e ht e rk e nn e n

, ,

k ann ist a uf d i e Entd e c kung d e s Spi e g e lt e le sk ope s von

,

R Ba c on g e s c hloss e n wo r d e n was nat urli c h g a nz ausge s c hlos

.
,

se n ist .

B e i d e n s p h ä ris c h e n S p i e g e ln tritt a n St e ll e d e r K a th e t e
d e r d u r c h d e n G e g e nst a nd g e l e gt e Kug e ldur c hm e ss e r d as
B ild e ntst e ht d a wo d e r S e h s t r ahl d e r a ls e in e von e in e m
, ,

p u nkt f ör m ig e n Aug e a u s g e h e nd e L ini e g e d a c ht ist u n d d e r ,

a m S p i e g e l r e fl e kti e r t wird di e s e n D ur c hm e ss e r s c hn e id e t
, .

So e rg e b e n s i c h ohn e w e it e r e s d i e La g e n d e r Bilde r w e nn ,

e in e s p i e g e lnd e Hohlkug e l g e g e b e n ist I s t in d e r Figur a

.

d as Aug e u n d d as Obj e kt a uf d e m Dur c hm e ss e r l o g e l e g e n ,

so l i egt d as Bild a uf d e m S c hnitt p unkt d e r ruc k wärt ige n

V e rl äng e rung d e r n ac h a r e fle kt ie rt e n Strahl e n mit l o Im .

s pe zi e ll e n Fa ll wo d e r re flekt ie rt e Str ahl a e par all e l zu l o

,
1 98 R OG ER B A CON

ve rl au ft also di e s e n e rst in d e r Un e ndli c hk e it s chn e id e n

,

wurd e ve rl e gt R B ac on d as B ild n ac h e s e lbst Sons t

,
.
.

e nt s pr e c h e n d e n La g e n d e s Obj e kt e s m 1
.
8 q d ie B ild punkt e
, ,

F re . I .

l ,
s, o . Li e gt d e r G e g e nst a nd im Mitt e l punkt so li e gt
,
d as
B ild u c h dort
a .

B e i d e r Le hr e von d e r La g e d e s B ild e s in s ph a ris c he n

S pie g e ln ist ab e r von R B a c on wie au c h von a nd e r e n
.

ält e re n G e l e hrt e n d e r Na c hwe is n i cht g e lie fe rt d a ss all e ,

20 0 R OG ER B A CON

e rw ähnt e r au c h d e n A ppara t von Ptole m äus und Ib n al

H ait am ni c ht d e ut e t ab e r vi e ll e i c ht in Op majus i S 1 1 3
,
.
, , .

( Ausg a b e von B ridg e s ) au f ihn hin ,

.

We it er wird d as B ild e ine s Punkt e s d er si c h in e ine m ,

a nd e re n Me dium al s d e m Aug e b e find e t dorthin ve rl egt , ,

wo d er zum Aug e g e l ang e nd e Strahl b e i s e ine r V e rlänge rung

d i e K a th e t e d h d as von d e m Obj e kt a uf d i e Gre nzfläch e
,
. .

g e ze ic hn e t e Lot s c hn e id e t Be i s phäris c h e n S pi e g e ln ist

,
.

di e s e K ath et e d er dur c h d e n b etre ffe nd e n Punkt g e he nd e

R adius .

Wi e and e r e so b e s c h äftigt a u c h R Bacon d i e Fr age n ac h

,
.

d e m Grund w a rum e in St a b im Wass e r g e kni c kt und e in e

,

Münz e im Wa ss e r g e hob e n e rs c h e int e r g e ht i m Ans c hluss

a n s e in e V o rg ange r ri c htig vor und v e rl e gt d as B ild e in e s

Punkt e s d es Obj e kt e s in d e n S c hnitt punkt d e r K ath e t e mit

d er Ve rläng e rung d e s Seh st rahl e s d e r zum Obj e kt hin g e ,

b ro c h e n wird .

Fast zu d e rs e lb e n Z e it h at Fri e dri c h I I di e s Probl e m .

a u fg e wor fe n und si c h an ägy p tis c h e G e l e hrt e um Auskun ft

g e we nd e t Di e s e h ab e n ihm ab e r e in e g anz unge n ü g e nd e

.
,

r e in s p e kul a tiv e Antwort g e g e b e n So s e h e n wir wi e in

.
,

A e gyp t e n d i e K e nntnis d e r b e d e ut e nd e n Le istung e n von

Ib n a l H a i ta m v e r lor e n g e g a ng e n wa r währ e nd s ie im ,

c hristli c h e n Ab e ndl a nd dur c h U e b e r s e t zung e n b e k a nnt w ar e n

und von R B ac on b e nutzt wu rd e n

. .

B e i s phäris c h e n Fl a c h e n zwis c h e n zw e i Me di e n wird b e i

d e r Unt e rsu c hung a ng e nomm e n d a ss si c h Aug e und Mitt e l,

p unkt a uf e in e m R a dius b e find e n Dur c h Z e i c hnung e n .

we rd e n d ie Fäll e e rläut e rt d ass d i e d e m Aug e zug e k e hrt e

,

Fläc h e konve x od e r konk a v ist und d a ss d as Aug e zwis c h e n

,

Mi t t e l punkt und Kuge lfläc h e od e r auf d e r a nd e r e n S e it e

d e s Mitt e l punkt e s g e l e g e n ist .

B e i d e r U nt e rsu c hung d e r Br e c hung im Aug e w e rd e n wa s ,

wi c htig ist ni c ht n ur d i e von e in e m Obj e kt s e nkr e c ht a u f d i e

,

Hornh aut und Lins e fall e nd e n Str ahl e n unt e rsu c ht sond e rn ,
 U EBER DI E O PTI K 20 1

a u c h d i e s c hr ag au ftre ffe nd e n ; so wird g e z e igt d ass von ,

e in e m Punkt ni c ht nur ei n Str ahl zu d e r Lins e d i e a ls d a s ,

e ig e ntli c h e p e rzi p i e r e nd e Org an b e tr a c ht e t wird g e l angt ,

sond e rn e in e g a nz e S c h a r die b e im Au ftre ffe n a uf d i e

,

Hornh a ut e nts pre c h e nd a bg e l e nkt we rd e n .

Die Bre nnk ug e l b e h and e lt R Bac on zwe im al in Opus .

M ajus Bd i S 1 1 3 und ii S 47 1
, .
,
.
, Da e s si c h um e in e n
, . .

Ve rsu c h von R Bac on s e lbst h a nd e lt so soll d i e St e ll e mitg e

.
,

t e ilt w e rd e n :
Wir n e hm e n e ine n s ph ä ris c h e n Krista ll od e r e in r und e s
Gl asg e fäss füll e n e s m it Wa ss e r und l ass e n die Sonn e nst r ahl e n
,

hindurc h falle n d a nn e rgibt si c h auf d e r S e it e we l c he d e r ,

5 0 ! me

Fre . 2 .

Sonne a bg e we nd e t ist e in B re nn punkt d e r l e i c ht e nt zun d

, ,

li c h e Sto ffe zum B re nne n b ringt Di e s wär e ni c ht mögli c h . ,

we n n ni c ht b e i m U e b e rgang e d e s Strahl e s i n ve rs c hi e d e ne
Mitt e l B re c hung e inträt e D e r dur c h d e n Mitt e l p un kt d e s
.

G e fäss e s g e h e nd e Str ahl wird ni c ht g e bro c h e n d a e r lotre c ht ,

zu m Gl a s e zum Wass e r u nd zur umg e b e nde n Lu ft ist .

,

Da b e i gilt d a s Z e ntr um d e r Kug e l zugl e i c h als Mitt e l p un k t

fü r d i e inn e r e n und äuss e r e n Me di e n All e a nde r e n St ra hl e n
.
,

d i e n i c ht du rc h d a s Z e ntr um g e h e n f a ll e n s c hi e f a uf und ,

We r d e n b e i m E i n t r itt i n d i e K ug e l zum E in fa llslot un d b e i m

Aus t ri t t a us d e rs e lb e n üb e r d e n g e ra d e n G ang hin aus
g e b r o c h e n so d ass d e r g e b r o c h e n e Str a hl d e n du rc h d a s
,

Z e n tru m g e h e nd e n Ac h se ns t rah l s c hn e id e t I n d e ns e lb e n .

S c h nitt p u nkt fall e n d a nn a u c h no c h unz ählig e a nd e r e

St r ahl e n so d ass e in Br e nn punkt e ntst e ht
, .

Zu b e a c ht e n ist d a ss d i e von R B ac on g e g e b e n e Fig ur

, .

n i c ht ri c htig i s t d e r I rrtum kommt d a h e r d a ss in ihr d i e ,

Div e r g e nz d e r Str ahl e n d ie von d e r Sonn e kom me n e i n e

, ,
20 2 R OG ER B A CON

vi e l zu gross e ist d ah er we rd e n d ie S t rahl e n in d e r Kug e l

unt e r e in a nd e r para ll e l Di e g an z e Abl e itung und Be h andlung
.

st e ht hi e r w e it hi nt e r d e rj e nig e n z urüc k d i e Ibn al H ai ta m ,

in s e in e r S c h r i ft üb e r d ie B re nnk uge l g e g e b e n h at di es e hat

R Bac on o ffe nb a r ni c ht g e ka nnt
. .

Im A n s c hluss a n d i e B r e c hung a n s phäris c h e n Fl a c h e n

ha t R B ac on a u c h di e v e rgröss e rnd e Wi r kung von Kug e l
.

s e g me nt e n g e n a u e rkannt und si c h von ihr e r Urs ac h e

R e c h e ns c h aft zu g e b e n g e su c ht Er s agt .

Nimmt m an Kug e ls e g m e nt aus K r ist all od e r Gl as und

e in
ist d i e Hoh e d e s S e gm e nts kl e in e r a ls d e r R adius so si e ht ,

m an B u c hst a b e n un d kl e in e G e g e nständ e gröss e r w e nn ma n ,

d i e konv e x e S e it e d e m Aug e zuk e hrt D e nn d as Aug e ist .

d ann gl e i c hs am im dünn e r e n d as Obj e kt im di c ht e r e n ,

Me dium und zwis c h e n Z e ntr u m und Aug e Also ist d e r .

S e hwink e l gross e r u nd a u c h d as B ild ist gröss e r und näh e r .

De sh a lb gibt di e s e s e i n vo r zügli c h e s I nst r um e nt fü r a lt e

Le ut e und sol c h e d i e s c hwa c h e A u g e n h ab e n d e nn s i e
, ,

könn e n d am it no c h so kl e in e Bu c hst ab e n in hi nl ängli c h e r

Gröss e s e h e n I s t a b e r d ie Höh e d e s S e gm e nts gröss e r a ls
.

d e r R a dius od e r h a b e n wir e in e H albkug e l so e ntst e ht d e r

, ,

Fa ll d ass d as Obj e kt a uss e rh a lb d e s Z e ntrums d e s Me diu ms

,

zu li e g e n ko m mt Das B ild rü c k t in d i e F e rn e und wird

.

e b e n fa lls gröss e r Ni m mt m a n Kri s t allk ö r p e r m i t e b e n e r

.

Flä c h e so tr e t e n ah nli c h e Ers c h e inung e n zu t a g e do c h ist

, ,

d i e konv e x e For m b e ss e r .

We it e r s a gt R . Bac on :

Dur c h d as S e h e n n ac h g e bro c h e n e n Str ahl e n konn e n si c h

a u c h s e hr gross e D ing e a ls s e hr kl e in d a rst e ll e n E b e ns o .

ka nn was s e hr we it e nt fe rnt ist g anz n ah e g e s e h e n w e r d e n

, ,

und umg e k e hrt De nn e s könn e n dur c hsi c htig e Me di e n

.

( perspi cu a ; hi e r ni c ht S p i e g e l ) so fü r d as Aug e und d as

Obj e k t a ng e ordn e t w e rd e n d a ss di e Str ahl e n do r thin g e
,

bro c h e mwe r d e n wo und unt e r w e l c h e m Wink e l wir woll e n s o

, ,

d ass wir e in Ding in d e r Näh e und in d e r Fe rn e s e h e n könne n .

Und so könn e n wir a us ungl a ubli c h e r E nt fe r nung d i e kl e in

st e n B u c hst ab e n l e s e n Und d a wir d e n S e hwink e l b e li e big
.

v e rgröss e r n kön n e n so m us s e in Kn ab e wi e e i n Ri e s e e in
, ,

Ma nn wi e e in B e rg e rs c h e in e n u n d e i n H e e r als ri e sig gr o s s
e rs c h e in e n u nd e b e nso w a s w e it e nt fe rnt ist g a nz n a h e und
, ,
 ROGE R B A CON S LE H RE V ON DE R
S IN NL IC HE N SPE ZI E S U ND V OM
SE HV ORGANGE

V ON S EB AS TIAN V OG L
I . DI E S P EZI E SLE HRE

S E IT d e m ho c hst e n Alt e rtum g alt in e inig e n philoso phi

sch e n S c hul e n de r Grunds atz : Ni c hts ist im Ve rst and e ,

was nicht vorh e r im Sinn war : ni hi l est i n i ntell ectu quod ,

pri us n on f ueri t i n s en s u .

Im Mitt e l a lt e r n ahm e n ihn d ie Schol astik e r unt e r

an ,

de n e n g anz b e sond e rs Rog e r B ac on mit s e in e r e ing e h e nde n

Er ort e rung üb e r d i e Fort pfl a nzung d e r S pe zi e s und ihr e
Wahrn e hmung im Sinn esorg an e h e rvorr agt .

Auc h in d e r Ne uz e it h at e s ni c ht a n Ve rt e idig e rn obig e n

S atz e s g e fe hlt I nsb e sond e r e h ab e n sic h die gel e hrt e n
.

La ndsl e ut e Rog e r Bac ons n a mli c h Ba con von V e rul am

, ,

Hobb e s und Lo c k e d e r Er fors c hung di es e s Prinzi pe s ge

,

widm e t und g e r ad e l e tzt e r e r ihm e in e b e sond e re Erklärung

g e g e b e n n ac h d er man ihn als d e n Vat e r des n e u e r e n
,

S e nsualismus b e tr ac ht e t .

D a Lo c k e wi e s e in e V org ä ng e r no c h in d en Th e ori e n d e r
Schol a stik g e bild e t war von d e ne n aus sie si c h zu ihr e r
,

s e lbständig e n Au ffassung dur c hr ang e n so mag e s nicht

,

o hn e Int e r e ss e s e in Spe zi esle hre und S e hvorg ang di e s e

, ,

wi c htig e n Mom e nt e fü r d i e Erke nntnisl e hre n ac h d e m ,

b e rüh mt e n Fr anziskane rmön c h Rog e r Bacon ke nne n zu

l e rne n.

Wir wolle n zun ac hst e in e n kurz en Ue berblick ub e r d ie

Spe zies le hr e be i d e n S c hol astik e rn uberh aupt g e b e n und
’

dann Roge r Bacons The ori e in den H au ptz ü g e n au fführe n .

20 6 R OG E R B A CON

Zur Z e it d e r Ho c hs c hol astik bilde t e Aristot e l e s d i e

Gr u ndl ag e für d ie Erke nntnisth e orie Ge n au wi e b e i .

ihm ist e s Grundle hre dass j e d e r B e griff nur mit Hil fe

,

sinnlic h e r Vorst ellunge n von d e n äuss e r e n Ding e n g e wonne n

we rde n kann B e im G esi c htssinn w are d e r d as Aug e
.

tr e ffe nd e R e iz e ine s Baum es d ie Fortl e itung di e s e s R e iz e s

,

z um G e hirn und w e it e rhin d i e Umwa ndlung d e ss e lb e n in

d e n p syc his c h e n Akt d e r Wa hrn e hmung d e s Baum e s d i e ,

Vorb e dingung für das Entst e h e n d es Be gr iffe s B aum .

Die vom G e ge nst a nd ausge wi rkt e n Form e n di e si c h im ,

p sy c his c h e n Akt e zum B ild e g e st a lt e n und auc h s p a t e r

wi e de r Nac hbild und au c h ohne unmitt e lb ar e Wahrneh

m ung nur durc h d as Vorst ellungsve rmoge n wi e de r e rne ue rt
we rd e n könne n n e nn e n d i e S c hol astike r speci es sensi bi li s :
,

S pe zie s we il e s gl e ic hs a m d as Bild d e s Baum e s ist s e ns ib e l

, ,

we il e s mitt els de s Si nne sorganes ge wonn e n r es p fe stge .

h alt e n ode r e rne ue rt wi rd S peci es sensi bi li s ist also e ine

'

a ns c h auli c h e B e z e i c hnung d es Eindru c k e s d e r vom R e iz e ,

a u f d as Sinn e s org a n a usg e ub t und vom Org a n e d as b e s e e lt

, ,

ist au fg e fasst wird Wir könn e n speci es s ensi bi li s mit Bild

, .

ode r Erke nntnisbild ü b e rs e tz e n di e s ist ab e r nic ht so ge m e int ,

d ass d as Ding drauss e n und e in Bild von ihm drinne n in

d e r S ee l e ist sond e rn so d ass d a s Bild dra uss e n und d r inn e n
, ,

zugl e ic h ist dra uss e n in s e ine m g anz e n Das e in drinn e n als

, ,

Bild gl e i c hs am durc h e in e id e al e R e präs e nt ation

, Das .

je nige wodur c h d as Ding B ild wird ist s e in e ige ntli c h e r

, ,

We s enskern de n e s b ei Abstre ifung d er Mat e ri alität und

,

b e im Einzü ge in uns e r Inne re s b eibe hält .

Fü r di e Art und We is e wie s i c h d as De nk e n d er s e nsi

,

bl e n S pe zi e s bemac ht igt se i nur kurz darau f verwi es e n d as s

, ,

d i e s e nsibl e S p e zi e s s e lbst et wa s we nn a uc h ni c ht g e r ade

,

Ko rpe rl ic he s so do c h Kör pe rh a ft e s ist d as im kör pe rlich e n

, ,

Org an als s e in e r B e dingung fur die Wa hrn e hmung h aft e t .

Das De nk e n ab e r ist e in e r e in g e istig e Tätigk e it Da .

he l fe n si c h d ie S c hol astike r de m Aristot e l e s folg e nd d adurc h

aus d e r S c hwi e rigk e it d ass s i e a n di e s e r St e ll e d e s U e b e r
,
20 8 R OG E R B A CON

B e zi e hung d i d ie Ae hnlic hke it ; umbra

zu d e m Ding e ,
. .

phi losophorum u mbr a we il di e S pe zi e s nur in e ine m

,

zwe ifac he n Fall e gut wahrn e hmb ar ist n amlic h a n e in e m ,

Str ahl d er durc h e ine Oeffnung in e ine n dunkl e n R aum

,

f ällt und we nn d i e S pe zi e s st ark ge farb t ist d h we nn Li c ht

, , . .

durc h e in st ark g e färbt e s Gl as fällt so sie ht man im abg e ,

k e hrt e n s c h attig e n R aum die Farb e des Gl as e s phi los o

,

phorum we il nur d ie t ucht ige n Philoso ph e n ihr e Natur und

,

Wirkung e rke nn e n Sie h e isst fe rne r Kr aft (vi rtus) mit

.

Rüc ksic ht auf Entst e he n und Ve rg e he n Wi e d ie Sonn e .

ihre Kr aft auf die Ding e d e r We lt e rstr ec kt um Entst e h e n ,

und Ve rg ehe n zu b ewirk e n so s ag e n wir von j e de m Ag e ns , ,

d ass e s s e ine Kr aft auf e in P ati e ns auswi rkt Eindruc k .

(i mpressi o) h e isst d i e S p e zi e s we il s i e d e n Eindrü c k e n ,

ähnlic h ist we sh alb Aristot e l e s ihr e Entst e hung mit d e m

,

Eindru c k e v e rgl e i c ht d e n e i n Si e g e lring a uf W ac hs m ac ht

, ,

we nn di e s auc h ni c ht üb e r all zutrifft P assi o e ndli c h wi rd .

s i e g e n a nnt we il d as Me dium und de r Sinn b e i Au fn ahm e

,

de r S p e zi e s e in e V e ränd e rung in ihr e r Subst a nz e rl e id e n .

S pe zie s ist ab e r hi e r nicht als e in e s d e r Aristot el is c h en

Prädi kab ili e n zu fa ss e n we l c h e d ie S c hol a stik e r Unive rs ali e n
,

ne nn e n sonde rn als der e rst e Effe kt e in e s n atürlic h e n Age ns

,
.

Unt e r S pe zi e s ve rst e ht de mn ac h B ac on d as von e ine r

wirke nde n Urs ac he Ausge wirk t e und zwar zun ac hst d as ,

j g
e n i e w, a s von d e r wirk e nd e n Urs ac he kr a f t ihr e r e ig e n e n
Na tur a usg e wirkt wird und somit e in e Ae h nlic hk e i t mit
ihr hat Es ist also nic ht m e hr l e digli c h die Be de utung die
.
,

S peci es s ensi bi li s in d e r S c hol astik sonst h at obwohl di e s e ,

d e r Ausg angs punkt ist sonde rn üb e rha u pt j e d e Wirkung

, .

2 . Da s Wesen der S pezi es 1

Hinsichtlich des We s e ns der S pe zi es ist zu s age n dass ,

s i e d e m Ag e ns ähnlich ist in d e r s pe zifis c h e n W e s e nh e it in ,

d e r Wirkung und in d e r Be gri ffsb e stimmung De nn d as .

Age ns hat das Be str e b e n sic h d as Pati e ns zu assimili e re n , .

B ri dge s ,
u .
4 1 0 ff ; i . . 1 19 .
 LEHR E VON DER S INNLICH EN SP EZ IES 20 9

Is t d as Age ns F e ue r so m ac ht e s d as P atie ns zu Fe ue r ist

, ,

das Ag e ns Wärm e so m ac ht e s d as P ati e ns zu Wärm e

, ,

ist e s Licht so zu Li c ht u s w
, Dar aus sowi e aus d e m Be i .
I
,

s pie le be i d em d as Li c ht durc h e in e Oe ffnung f ällt und d e m

, ,

and e re n b e i d e m d a s Li c ht dur c h e i n st a rk g e f ärbt e s Gl as

,

hindur c hg e ht e rsi e ht m an da ss d i e S pe zi e s d e s Li c ht e s
, ,

wi e de r Lic ht ist die S p e zi e s d e r Fa rb e wi e de rum Fa rb e

, ,

d i e S pe zi e s d e r W arm e wi e d e rum Wärm e Ab e r d i e S pe zi e s .

,

die d e r Me ns c h wirkt ist ni c ht Me ns c h ; d e nn ist a u c h ,

d i e S p e zi e s von d e r s e lb e n s p e zifis c h e n Na tur so ist s i e e s ,

do c h auf e ine r unvollständig e n Se insst ufe di e im l e tzt e r e n ,

Fa ll e gar nic ht vollständig we rde n ka nn Farb e Lic ht und .

,

Wärm e konn e n ab e r ihr e r Natur n ac h e ine stärke r e S pe zi e s

wirke n als all e ande re n Dinge .

Da r a us e rgibt si c h e in e we it e r e Wahrh e it n a mli c h d ass ,

d e r Effe kt d e r d e m Ag e ns im We s e n ähnli c h ist nur e in e r

, ,

s e in k ann Di es e r h e isst d e r efie ctus uni vocus und s e ine

.

Entst e hung gen era ti o un i voca Es gibt ab e r no c h a nd e r e .

Effe kt e d i e efiectus aequi voci und d e r e n Entst e h e n generati o

, ,

aequi voca h e iss e n So ist d as Li c ht in d er Luft od e r an

, .

e in e m St e rn d as von d e r Sonn e kommt e i n efle ctus uni vocus

, , ,

Ve rwe sung und To d d i e aus de m So nne nlic h t e folge n sind

, ,

efi ectus a equi voci f Ab e r a m An fa ng e sol ange de r Effe kt

’

unvollst ändig ist s pri c ht m an nur von S pe zi e s Kr aft u

, ,
.

dgl und d as so l ange als d as Pa ti e ns in s e ine r s pe zifis c h e n

.
, ,

Natur ve rbl e ibt ; a ssi m ili e r t si c h ab e r d as P a ti e ns d e m

Ag e ns mit Hil fe j e n e r S pe zi e s und Kr aft wi e wir b e im Holz e ,

s e h e n d as dur c h Aufn ah m e d e r Fe ue rs p e zi es Fe ue r fängt

, ,

so wird di e s pe zifis c h e Na tur d e s P a ti e ns a ufge hob e n und

d e r kom pl e tt e Effe kt h e r vo r g e ru fe n ; d a nn s pr i c ht m an
ni c ht m e hr von S pe zi e s so n de rn b e ze i c hn e t e s mit d e m ,

Na m e n d es Ag e ns s e lbst D as Holz wird d a nn F e u e r .

,

Fl amm e Kohl e Di e S pe zie s von F e u e r und d as Fe ue r

, .

s e lbst unt e rs c he ide n sic h nur wie kom pl e tt und inkom pl e tt .

B ri d ge s i i , .
41 1 .
2
I b i d 4 1 3—4 . .
21 0 R OG E R BA CON

Di e s g ilt ab e r nur b e i d e n ir dis c h e n Dinge n d i e d er ,

Zerstörung unt e rli e g e n Be i d e n (n ac h s c hol astisch e r Auf

.

fassung) unz e rstörb ar e n H i mm elsk orpe rn k ann g anz wohl d i e

S pe zi e s zu e in e m kom pl e tt e n Effe kt ve rvollständigt we rde n ,

ohn e d ass d as Ag e ns s e lbst dort e ntst e ht Sonn e und Mond .

sind g e s c h affe n e in vollkomm e ne s Li c ht zu h ab e n Be i d e r

,
"

Mo nd finst e rnis b e i we l c h e r d e r Mond im S c h a tt e n ist

, ,

b e m e rkt man noch e i n rötli c he s Li c ht d as ist e ine s c hwac he

S pe zi e s des Li c ht e s d ie von d e m Li c ht e kommt d as an d e n
, ,

Sch att e ngr e nze n vorüb e rg e ht Nac hh e r wird d as Li c ht .

a uf d e m Mond e wi e d e r kom pl e tt und kl a r Es wird ab er .

d e r Mond ni c ht zur Sonn e Da s Li c ht k ann si c h ve rv oll .

ständige n a b e r ni c ht d ie S pe zie s d e r Sonn e ns ubst anz

, .

Bac on e rört e rt fe rn e r e ing e h e nd d i e Fr a g e wa s d e nn ,

a ll e s e in e S p e zi e s wi r kt Es sind di e s in e rst e r Lini e d i e

2
.

e ig e ntli c h e n s e nsibl e n Qual i t at e n wi e Li c ht Farb e To n , , ,

Kält e Wärm e Si e ub e n e in e n R e iz auf di e Sinn e sorg an e

, .

a us und g a nz a llg e m e in nimmt d er Sinn d i e S p e zi e s d e r

s e lb e n auf Eig e n artig ist e s b e im S c h all was hi e r ni c ht

.
,

e ing e h e nd e r e rört e rt w e rd e n soll And e r e Pradik ame nt e .

wi e Gross e La g e Be we gungszust a nd R e l ation ( Zus a mm e n

, , ,

o rdnung mit a nd e r e n Ding e n) u s w d i e durc h d e n sensus .

,

communi s ( d as Z e ntrum w e l c h e s all e S e ns ation e n e m p fängt

, ,

d ie Einh e it d e s s e nsitiv e n B e wussts e ins e rm ogl i ch t und di e

S e ns ation e n mit e in and e r ve rgl e i c h e n k ann) wahrg e nomm e n
w e rd e n wirk e n ke ine S pe zi e s Gross e und G est al t folg e n
, .

a us d e n S p e zi e s von Li c ht und F arb e d i e von d e n Obj e kt e n ,

a usg e h e n Auc h d ie Mat e ri e ohn e Form wirkt k e in e S pe zie s

.
,

w e il s ie nur l e id e nd ist .

Um d as We s e n d e r S pe zie s ge n au e r zu b e stimm e n muss ,

m an die potenti a a cti z)a e in e s Ding e s von s e in e r potenti a

r ece ti va
p unt e rs c h e id e n L e tzt e r e kommt hi e r ni c ht
. in
Fr ag e d e nn s ie ist dasj e nig e ve rmög e d ess e n d ie Mat e ri e
, ,

d i e Form vom S c hö pfe r a u fn e hm e n konnt e Würd e in d e r .

Mat e rie nur e in e potenti a r ecepti va fur die S p e zie s ange no m

B ri d g e s , u .
4 15 ; i . 1 2 8. Ib i d n .
4 18 f ;
. v gl . 11. 56 7 2 f
, .
212 R OG E R B A CON

d e m La mm e s e lbst s c h ä dli c h und fe indlic h ist Dag e g e n .

b e st ä rkt di e S pe zi e s e in e r fre undli c h e n und a ns pr e c he nde n

Subst a nz von S e it e n e in e s and e r e n Lamm e s d as Org an d e r
f a cu l tas aes ti m a ti va und d a rum fli e ht e i n La mm d a s a nd e r e

ni c ht De shalb k a nn d i e s e nsitive S ee l e g anz gut d i e

.

Subst a nz durch de r e n S pe zi e s w ahrne hm e n we nn a uc h ,

nur w e nige di e s e ins e h e n und d e r g e wöhnlic h e H a u fe d e r

Nat urkund ige n b e h a u pt e t d ass di e s u bst a nti e ll e Form
,

ke in e n Einfluss auf d e n Sinn a us ü bt Es wird di e s e S pe zi e s

.

nicht von d en fünf äuss e r e n Sinn e n und a uc h ni c ht vom

s ensus communi s a u fg e nomm e n sonde rn nur von de r vi s
,

cogi tati va und a es ti ma ti va a ls d e n Te il e n d e r s e nsitiv e n

S e e l e Von d e n fün f Sinn e n und vom s ensus communi s

.

we rde n nur d ie Akzid e nti e n e r fasst obgl e ic h di e S pe zi e s

,

d er subst a nti e ll e n Form e n dur c h s i e hindur c hg e h e n Und .

d a j e d e g e s c h affe n e Subst a nz aus Mat e ri e und Form zus a m

me nge s e t zt ist muss d i e S pe zi e s d e r Subst anz von d er
,

g anz e n Zus amm e ns e tzung a usg e h e n also von d er Mat e ri e

,

und d er Form ni c ht von d er Form all e i n

,
.

Na c h Thom as von Aquin nimmt d as Ti e r in d e n sinnli c h e n

Obj e kt e n e twa s wa hr wa s k e in e r b e sond e r e n S e ns ation
,

e nts p ri c ht D as La mm fli e ht d e n Wol f ni c ht s e in e r Hässli c hk e it

.
,

we g e n sond e rn we il e s ihn als g e fahrlic h e rk e nnt ; d e r Vog e l

,

su c ht d as R e isig nic ht um s e in e r S c hönh e it will e n sonde rn ,

we il e s ihm zum B au e n des Ne st e s di e nt Di e F ähigke it .

,

di e s e Be zi e hung e n (i ntenti ones) wa hrzun e hm e n h e isst f acultas ,

a es ti mati va Si e ist b e i d e n Ti e r e n von r e in i nst i nk t art ige m

.

Ch ar akt e r im Me ns c h e n ab e r von psyc hologis c h e r Art und

,

h at d e n Na m e n vi s c ogi ta ti va od e r r a ti o ( V e r nun ft )pa rti cu

l ari s (we il si e s ic h ni c ht auf d as Allg e m e in e wi e d e r V e rst a nd
b e zi e ht ) .

B ac on e ntg e g e n l e hrt e s p at e r Lo c k e di e Un e rk e nnb a rk e it

de r Subst a nz ähnli c h wi e d i e d e r Kr a ft
, Si e sind n ac h ihm
.

nur H il fsb e g ri ffe uns e re s V e rst an de s wodur c h wir uns,

di e b e i d e n Natur e rs c h e inung e n b e ob ac ht e t e G e s e tzli c hk e it

 LEHR E V ON DE R S INNLI CH EN SP EZ IES 213

ve rst ändlic h zu m ac h e n such e n Wir konn e n we d e r d i e .

Subst a nz für si c h auss e rh alb ihr e r Eig e ns c h aft e n ode r von

,

di e s en g e sond e rt e rke nn e n no c h könn e n wir e ine Kr aft

,

dir e kt und von ihr e n Wirkunge n g e tr e nnt wahrne hm e n .

Gl e ic hwohl wurd e ab e r ohne d i e Ide e von Subst anz und

Kr aft di e obj e ktive We lt uns er e s Be wussts e ins sozus ag en
in St a ub z e r fa ll e n ( S c hultze ) .

Wic htig für d i e S e hth e ori e B ac ons ist di e Ann ahm e d ass ,

au c h d i e Sinn e sorg a n e e in e S pe zi e s wi r k e n J e d e kör pe rli c h e .

Subst anz s a gt e r k ann e ine S pe zi e s wirk e n also auc h di e

, , ,

Sinn e sorga n e B eim Aug e ist di e s an si c h klar Wir s e h e n

. .
I

d a s Aug e e in e s a nd e r e n und uns e r e ig e n e s im S pi e g e l V iel e .

l e ugn e t e n d a ss vom Auge e twas ausg e h e auf d i e Ann ahm e

, ,

hin da ss d as S e h e n nur durc h Au fn ah m e n ac h inn e n si c h voll

,

zi e h e und ni c ht dur c h Auss e nd e n üb e rh au pt nic ht d adurc h , ,

d a ss irg e nd e twas vom Aug e e ntst e h e d as vvi rke und zum ,

Se h akt e b e it ra g e Da ss d a s ab e r fa ls c h ist e rh ellt aus d er

.
,

Me t aphysik d e s Aristot e l e s a usdrü c kli c h d ann aus ,

Ti d e us de A s pecti bu s g a nz kl ar und a us d e r g a nz e n Optik

d es Ptol e m ae us und di e s hält g e g e n a ll e s st a nd was Alh ac e n
, , ,

Avi c e nn a und Ave rro e s d ag e g e n l e hr e n woll e n Wie d i e .

l e blos e n Ding e e in e l e blos e S pe zi e s wirk e n so wirkt d as ,

Be l e bt e e in e S pe zi e s d i e g e wiss e rm ass e n e in e Kr a ft d e r
,

S e e l e h at De nn wi e si c h e in l e blos e r G e g e nst and zu s e ine r

.

S pe zi e s ve rhält di e ihm ähnli c h ist so d as b e s e e lt e We s e n

, ,

zu d e r ihm ähnlic h e n S pe zi e s Dar aus folgt ni c ht d ass .

,

d as Me di u m ( Lu ft od e r sonst e tw a s Dur c hsi c htig e s ) b e s e e lt

wird sond e rn e s wir d nur d e m b e s e e lt e n We s e n dur c h die
,

a u fg e nomm e n e S p e zi e s a ssimili e r t .

3 . A rt u nd Wei se der F ortpfla nzung der S pezi es 2

Di e Physik d er S c hol astik wa r w e s e ntli c h ant i at o mist isch .

Ni c hts e rklärt e s i e dur c h r e in m e c h a nis c h e Mitt e l a uf all e s ,

d e hnt e s i e d i e Be gri ffe d e s Akt e s d e r Form und d e r Kr aft ,

B ri d g e s , i i 6 5 f
. .
2
Cf B r id g e s i i 4 2 9 ff
.
, . . v gl . 11. 14 .
214 R OG E R B A CON

aus . DieAr a be r hing e g e n huldigt e n m e hr d er atomisti

s c he n We lt e rklärung Di e s e l e u c ht e t a u c h b e i Bac on dur c h
. ,

inde m e r d ie Art und We is e d e r Fort pflanzung d er S pe zi e s

n ac h d e m Must e r d e s Ar ab e rs Alhac e n e rklärt .

Di e Le hr e Alh ac e ns ub e r di e Fort p fl a nzung d e r S p e zi e s

kommt uns e r e r Au ffassung von e in e m Ne t zh autbild e aus
s e rs t n a h e Alh ac e n nimmt n a mli c h a n d a ss d i e G e g e nst and e
.
,

p unktw e is e auf d a s Aug e wirk e n so d ass j e d e r Punkt von

,

Li c ht und F a rb e d e s Obj e kt e s a uf d e r Ne tzh a ut si c h a bbild e t

und dort w ahrg e nomm e n wird durch d as ulti mum senti ens ,

wob e i d i e S e hkr aft üb e r d i e g anz e R e tin a wir ks am g e d acht

ist Er s agt H at de r G e g e nst and e in e e inzig e F arb e so
.
,

wird j e n e r Te il de s hohl e n Ne rvs (Ne tzh a ut ) als e in e s e mp ,

fi nd e nd e n Ko rpe rs a u c h nur ei n e F a rb e h ab e n
,
Sind a b e r .

d i e Te il e d e s Se h ob je k t e s von v e rs c hi e d e n e r F a rb e so we r ,

d e n a u c h di e Te il e j e n e r e m pfi nd e n d e n St e ll e d e r Ne tzh a ut
von v e rs c hi e de n e r F ar b e s e in und d as ulti mum s enti ens
nimmt die Fa rb e d e s Obj e kt e s aus d e r Färbung w ahr d ie ,

e s a n j e n e m Te il e v o r fi nd e t .

Hor e n wir nun B ac on : Alh ace n s c hr e ibt e r l e hrt im , ,

zwe it e n B u c h e s e in e r Optik d a ss in d e r Höhlung d e s n ervus

,

c ommun i s ( nac h d e r P erspecti va ist d a mit di e R e tin a

g e m e int ) d e r b e id e n Aug e n und e b e nso auf d e m Te il e d es
e mp fi n d e n d e n Org a ns näm li c h d e r a n ter i or gl a ci a li s w e l c h e
, ,

d e r vord e r e Te il d e r Pu p ill e ist d i e Umriss e d e s Obj e kt e s

,

a bg e bild e t w e rd e n Di e s e Umriss e g e hör e n zu d e m all

.

g e m e in Wa hrn e hmb ar e n wi e aus d e ms e lb e n B u c h e h e r

,

vorg e ht we sh alb Qua ntit ä t und G e st alt u s w e in e n Ei n

, .

druc k und e in e S pe zi e s im Org a n e zu wirke n s c h e in e n und ,

zwa r vorh e r s c hon in d e r Lu ft D i e s find e t ab e r n ac h

‚
.

Alh ac e n ni c ht d e sh alb st a tt w e il d i e Gröss e e in e S pe zi e s

,

wirkt sond e rn we il von d e r ga nz e n Ob e r fl äc h e d e s Ding e s d ie

,

S p e zie s d e r F arb e und d e s Lic ht e s kommt Da b e i w e rd e n .

d i e S p e zi e s von F a rb e und Li c ht d i e von d e n e inz e ln e n

,

Te il e n d e s D ing e s komm e n ni c ht in e in e m Te i l e d e r Pu p ill e

,

ve rmis c ht sond e rn w e rde n auf de r Ob e rfläc h e d e r Pu pil l e

,

unt e rs c h e idb ar ang e ordn e t in wahrn e hmb ar e r Qu a ntität

und n ac h d e r Z ahl d e r Te il e d e s Obj e kt e s d amit d as Aug e ,

unt e rs c hi e dlic h d i e g anze Farb e ode r d as g a nz e Li c ht d e s

 216 R OG ER B A CON

st att als s ie in e in e m gl e i c h m ässig di c ht e n Me dium v e r

,

läu ft . A e nde rt si c h d i e Di c ht e so we rd e n d i e Str a hl e n ,

von ihr e r Ri c htung abg e l e nkt od e r g anz g e kni c kt d h si e ,

. .

f olg e n d e n G e s e tz e n d er R e fr aktion und R e fl e xion .

Wi e a b e r find e t d i e Fort p fl a nzung d e s Str ahl e s im Me dium

s e lbst st att ? Sind e s vi e ll e i c ht kl e inst e Te il c h en d i e si c h ,

a blös e n und fortg e s c hl e ud e rt w e rd e n ? Le tzt e r e s k ann ni c ht

s ein ; d i e Fort pfl a nzung find e t ni c ht durc h Emission st a tt ,

sond e rn wi e s c hon g e s agt dur c h Ed uk ti o n aus d e r aktive n

, ,

Pot e nz d er Mat e ri e Di e Aktion d e r Kör p e r a u fe ina nd e r ubt

.

si c h n ac h d e r Le hr e de r S c hol astik e r ni c ht dur c h d i e bloss e

lok al e Be we gung aus sond e rn vi e lm e hr dur c h di e Ed uk t i on
,

d e r Pot e nz in d e n Akt Di e vo rh e rrs c h e nd e I d e e in di e s e r

.

Th e ori e ist d ass di e physis c h e W e lt ni c ht dur c h di e bloss e

,

Ausd e hnung e rklärt wir d sond e r n d a ss di e Natur d e r ,

Kör pe r d i e Ann ahm e von Akt uali t ät e n u n d Kra ft e n ford e rt ,

d i e ni c ht dur c h bloss e g e om e t r is c h e Gross e n g e m e ss e n w e rde n

konn e n Dur c h di e G e om e t r i e e r klärt m an d i e Phänom e n e
.

nur bis zu e in e m g e wiss e n Gr a d e ; vi e l e Ding e ab e r bl e ib e n

ub r ig von d e n e n man nur R e c h e ns c h a ft g e b e n k a nn w e nn
, ,

man si c h auf d e n D yn a mismus od e r d i e Th e ori e d e r Ak t i vi

t ät e n b e ru ft B ac on l e hnt d ie Ema n at i ons th e ori e d e r alt e n
.

Philoso ph e n Ep ikur und Lukr e t i us ab di e s p ät e r Ne wton ,

in ve r fe in e rt e r Form wi e d e r zur Erklär ung d e r Fort pflan

zung d e s Li c ht e s ann ahm S e in e Ansi c ht ist somit näh e r
.

v erwa ndt mit d e r von Y oung .

Hor e n wir nun s e in e Erklärung s e lbst : 1

We nn ö ft e rs Ausdruc k e g e br a u c ht w e rd e n wi e e in e
S pe zi e s e nts e nd e n u dgl so d ar f m an si c h d as ni c ht so
’
. .
,

vorst e ll e n als ob vom Ag e ns si c h e twa s ablös e d as w e it e r

, ,

g e ht B e im Ag e ns h ab e n wir nur S ubst anz und Akzid e ns

.
,

e tw a s Mittl e r e s gibt e s ni c ht Nun k a nn a b e r k e in Akzid e ns

.

s e ine n Träg e r v e ränd e rn und k e in subst a nti e ll e r Te il wird

v e ränd e rt ohn e d ass d i e g a nz e S ubst a nz ko r rum pi e rt wi r d :
,

Würde vom Ag e ns e twa s h e r aus g e b e n so müsst e e in e Ze r ,

störung und Au fl ösung e r folg e n wi e e s b e i d e n ri e c h e nd e n ,

B ri d g e s i i 4 3 1 —4 3
, . v gl .
4 57 .
 LEHR E V ON DE R S INNLI CH EN SP EZ IE S 21 7

Subst a nz e n z B b e im Mos c hus od e r We ihr au c h d e r F all

,
. .
,

ist wo b e im Aufl ös e n od e r V e rbr e nn e n Te il c he n fr e i we rd e n

,

und a usström e n And e rs ist e s b e im Li c ht Di e Himm e ls

. .

körpe r d i e a m m e ist e n Li c ht ve rbr e it e n sind ni c ht kor

, ,

r upt i b e l ( n ac h mitt e l a lt e rli c h e r Ansi c ht

) Also k ann di e .

S pe zi e s ni c ht e twa s s e in d as vom Ag e ns fortg e ht und d as

, ,

P a ti e ns k ann ni c ht e tw a s a us d e m Ag e ns a u fn e hm e n .

D as Ag e ns e r z e ugt a b e r d i e S p e zi e s a u c h ni c ht au s d e m
Ni c hts e b e nsow e nig b e kommt e s di e S p e zi e s irg e ndwoh e r
,

a uss e rh alb s e in e r und a uss e rh alb d e s P a ti e ns um s i e in d as ,

P a ti e ns zu e rgi e ss e n Sie muss a lso e ntw e d e r durc h I m

.

pr e ss i o e ntst e h e n ähnli c h wi e Aristot e l e s n ac h d e m V or

,

bild e d e s Sie ge lab druc k e s in Wa c hs a n n ahm od e r durc h ,

n atürli c h e Ve ränd e rung und Eduk t i on aus d e r Pot e nz d e r

Ma t e ri e d e s Pa ti e ns Nun r e i c ht a b e r d i e I m pr e ssio a u c h
.

ni c ht zur Erklär ung hin d e nn di e s e find e t nur auf d e r Ob e r

,

fläc h e d e s Pa ti e ns st att wo dur c h Aufdrü c k e n si c h di e e ine n

,

Te il e h e b e n d i e a nd e r e n s e nk e n währ e nd do c h d i e Wirkung
, ,

bis auf d e n Grund d e s P a ti e ns g e h e n muss Ue b ri ge ns .

würd e n wir ja di e e indrüc k e nde n D ing e s e lbst ni c ht s e h e n ,

währ e nd d ur c h d i e S pe zi e s d i e Ding e s e lbst si c htb a r we rd e n .

Es bl e ibt a lso nur übrig d i e Entst e hung d e r S p e zi e s dur c h

,

V e ränd e rung (i mmutati o) od e r Ed uk ti o n a us d e r a ktiv e n

Pot e nz d e r Ma t e ri e d e s P a ti e ns zu e rklär e n Das Ag e ns .

wirkt s e in e n Effe kt ni c ht durc h V e r e inigung s e in e r Sub

st a nz m i t d e m P a ti e ns sond e rn durc h R e izwirkung auf d i e
,

ve rborg e n e Aktivität d er Mat e ri e d es Me diums d i e mit ,

d e m Ag e ns v e rbund e n ist Da b e i wirkt d as Ag e ns a ls.

G a nz e s n ac h d e r Ti e fe d es Pa ti e ns und ni c ht bloss d e rj e nig e

Te il d e s Ag e ns d e r d a s P a ti e ns b e rührt
,
Sonst müsst e ja .

e i n kl e in e r Kör p e r d i e gl e i c h e Wirkung äuss e rn wi e e i n

gross e r und e s wäre gl e i c h we nn m an d i e Häl ft e d er Sonn e ,

h i nweg näh me . Es k a nn a b e r d a s Ag e ns ni c ht im Grund e

d e s P a ti e ns s e in hinsi c htli c h d e r Subst a nz wohl a b e r d e r ,

Kr aft n ac h um aus d e r Pot e nz d e s unt e rst e n Te il e s d e s

,

P ati e ns e twa s zu e r z e ug e n Wir h ab e n uns d e mn ac h d e n .

V e rl a u f d e r Fo r t p fl a nzung in d e r We is e zu d e nk e n d a ss ,

sic h d i e Ob e r fläc h e n von Ag e ns und P ati e ns b e rühr e n .

D a dur c h e n t s t e ht Aktivität a u f d e m e rst e n Te il d e s P a ti e ns

u n d di e s e p flan zt si c h f ort bis a uf d e n Grund di e s e s Te il
c h e ns
,
d a s e i n Kör p e r ist so kl e in wir ihn a u c h n e hm e n
,

woll e n Ist d as e rst e Te il c h e n in Be we gung ge s e tzt so h at

, ,

e s d i e S p e zi e s a ktu e ll und übt s e in e Wirkung a u f d as

zwe it e Te il c h e n aus di e s e s wi e d e r auf d as dritt e und so fort
,

bis zum Sc h lusse Und so muss e s s e in w e il d as Ag e ns si c h

.
,
218 R OG E R B A CON

nicht mit d e m zw e it e n und d e n n ac h folg e nd e n Te il c he n

in V e rbindung s e tzt und si e nur mitt e lb ar a nr e gt .

Mi t di e s e r Au ffa ssung h ä ngt au c h d i e w e it e r e zus amm e n ,

d ass d i e S p e zi e s zw ar m at e ri ell e r Natur a b e r do c h k e in ,

e ig e ntli c h e r Kör pe r ist d e nno c h ab e r dr e i Dim e nsion e n

,

h at }

Alh ac e n und Alki ndi s c hr e ib e n d e r S pe zi e s Lang e ,

Br e it e und Ti e fe zu wor a us m an e ntn e hm e n mö c ht e d a ss

, ,

s i e e i n Kör p e r s e i De m ist a b e r ni c ht so De nn d i e S p e zi e s
. .

z ert e ilt ni c ht d i e Wänd e d e s Me diums in d e m d i e Fort ,

fl n zu ng st a ttfind e t Au h könn e n ni ht zw e i Kör e r a n

p a c c.
p
e i n und d e ms e lb e n Ort s e in D a d i e S p e zi e s a us d e r Pot e nz .

d e s Me diums also aus e in e m m a t e r i e ll e n Prinzi p e rz e ugt

,

wird so k ann s i e k e ine a nd e r e Natur h ab e n als d i e d e s

,

Me diums s e lbst und wir m üss e n a nn e hm e n d a ss s i e di e s e lb e ,

Natur m i t d e m Me dium g e m e ins a m h a t E ndli c h e xisti e rt .

di e S p e zi e s ni c ht für si c h sond e r n in e in e m a nd e r e n Ding , ,

d as s e in e s p e zifis c h e kör p e rli c h e Na tur b e ib e hält sowi e

s e in e n Ort Nur do r t wo d as Me di u m di e S pe zi e s e m pf ängt
.
,

tritt e ine Alt e r ation e i n De r Str ahl ist a lso e ig e ntlic h .

ni c hts sonde rn nur e i n mom e nt an dur c h d as Ag e ns m o di fi

,

zi e rt e r Te il d e s Me diums und h at k e in e a nd e r e D im e nsi on

als di e j e nig e d i e di e s e r m odifizi e rt e Te il b e sitzt

, .

Nun e ntst e ht e in e S c hwi e rigk e it Ne hm e n wir a n d as .

,

Me dium s e i in Ruh e und e in e S p e zi e s s c hr e it e im Me dium

f ort und n e h m e v e rs c hi e d e n e Ort e e i n D ann mö c ht e m an .

m e in e n di e S pe zi e s müss e e in Kör p e r s e in d a nur e i n Kör p e r

, ,

in e in e m a nd e r e n ruh e nde n Kör pe r e in e Ortsve ränd e rung

h e r vorbring e n k a nn Da r a u f ist zu s ag e n W e de r d as was
.
,

a m e rst e n T e il si c h b e find e t v e rlässt di e s e n Te il no c h g e ht , ,

d a s wa s a m zw e it e n ist a uf d e n dritt e n üb e r sond e rn j e de r

, , ,

Te il bl e ibt a n s e in e m Pl a tz e Es b e w e gt si c h a lso nic ht .

e twa s von Or t zu Or t sond e rn e s find e t vi elm e hr e in e

,

ununt e rbro c h e n e Ern e u e rung st att ähnli c h wi e b e im ,

S c h att e n d e r st e ts n e u und n e u hinsi c htli c h d e s Or t e s e nt

,

st e ht Es find e t k e in e e ig e ntli c h e Or tsve ränd e rung d e ss e lb e n

.

Subj e kt e s st a tt sonde rn e in e Er n e u e rung d e s Subj e kt e s

,

s e lbst ; d e nn d i e S p e zi e s ist e in e passi o medi i und h at

k e in e n b e stimmt e n Pl atz wo s i e g e r a d e wär e , .

Ne hm e n wir we it e r a n d as Ag e ns se i a nd a u e rnd in e i n e m
,
.

dur c hsi c htig e n Me di um Bl e ibt d ann a u c h di e e rst e S pe zi e s

.
,

B r id g e s , 11 .
4 5 9 , 50 2 .
220 R OG E R BA CON

gl e ic h e r We is e und v e rst ärk e n si c h wi e a nn äh ernd gl e ic h ,

st arke Li c ht e r ihre n Effe kt v e rgro sse rn konn e n .

Tr e ffe n zwe i od e r m e hr e r e S p e zi e s zus a m m e n so h ab e n ,

s i e i m a llg e m e in e n im V e r e i n i g un gs p unk t e ve r s c hi e d e n e Ri c h

tung V on di e s e n ve rs c hi e d e n e n Ri c htung e n s ei nun e in e

.

lotr e c ht zum Aug e di e a nd e r e n s c hi e f d a nn kom mt d e r

, ,

lotr e c ht e Strahl als H au ptstr ahl d i e s c hi e fe n ab e r nur ,

dur c h d ie akzid e nt e ll e n Str ahl e n di e s i e v e rbr e it e n zum , ,

Aug e De r H au ptstr a hl üb e rtrifft j e do c h all e akzid e nt e ll e n

.
,

so d ass in Wirkli c hk e it k e in g e m is c ht e r Str ahl wahrge nom

me n wird w e nn a u c h e in e g e m is c ht e S p e zi e s zum Aug e
,

g el angt we il l e tzt e r e nur akzid e nt e ll e r Art ist

, .

St e ll e n wir wi e e s Alh ac e n g e t a n vor e in e kl e in e Oe ffnung

, ,

dr e i Li c ht e r und zw a r so d a ss d i e Str a hl e n von v e rs c hi e

, ,

d e me r S e it e he r si c h in d e r Oe ffnung ve re inig e n muss e n so ,

konn e n wir b e ob ac ht e n d a ss d i e Str a hl e n n ac h d e r V e r e ini

,

gung von e ina nd e r unt e rs c hi e d e n in d e r gl e i c h e n Ri c htung

wi e vorh e r w e it e rg e h e n V on e in e r V e rmis c hung g e wahr e n
.

wir ni c hts Trotzd e m find e t in d e r O e ffnung e in e wahr e

.

V e rmis c hung st a tt ; d a ab e r d as Li c ht si c h g e r a dlinig

fort pflan zt so g e ht e s a u c h j e ns e its d e s Lo c h e s in d e r
,

s e lb e n Ri c htung w e it e r Di e Ne b e ns trahl e n d ie von d e n .

,

dr e i H au ptstr ahl e n ausg e h e n we rd e n von l e tzt e r e n ve r ,

dunk e lt .

B a con rollt hi e r d as Probl e m a u f d a s e rst B e rnoul li ,

( 1 7 38 ) ri c htig d e ut e t e nämli c h wi e e s mogli c h s e i d ass

, ,

Li c ht Wärm e und S c h a llw e ll e n ohn e g e g e ns e itig e St orung

a u f uns e r e Sinn e wirk e n könn e n Er gl a ubt di e s d a durch .

e rkl ä r e n zu könn e n d a ss st e ts di e lotr e c ht e Wirkung w a hr

,

g e nomm e n w e rd e di e a ll e a nd e r e n üb e rtr e ffe

,
.

Di e lotr e c ht e Wirkung b e sitzt n ac h B a c on ub e rh aupt di e

grösst e Kr aft Ein St e in d e r lotr e c ht zur Erd e f ällt h ab e
.
, ,

e in e vi e l gröss e r e Wu c ht al s w e nn e r au f d e r s c hi e fe n
,

Eb e n e h i nab rollt wob e i ihn fr e ili c h d e r Aug e ns c h e in t a us c ht .

B i d g e s i 1 2 0 —4
r , .
4 6 8 5 39 f v gl ii 4 1 : O pu T e t ( B e w ) 1 1 4
11 . , . : . . s r . r er , .
 LE HR E VON DE R S INNLICH EN SP EZ I ES 221

We it e rs wirkt d ann e i n g e r ad e r Str ahl st arke r als e in

g e bro c he n e r d a d e r g e bro c h e ne an d e r Bre c h ungss t elle e in
,

Hind e rnis e r fährt d as ihn s c hw äc ht De r g e bro c he n e ist

, .

wi e d e r stärke r als d e r re fle kt ie rt e we il b e i l e tzt e r e m d as ,

Hind e rnis gross e r ist als b e i e rst e r e m G e h e n wir vom .

Punkt e zum Kör pe r u b e r so muss e n wir a nn e hm e n d ass , ,

si c h b e i di e s e m d ie Wirkung n ac h e in e r Str ahl e n p yr a mid e ‘

vollzi e ht d e r e n Ba sis di e Ob e rfläc he d e s Obj e kt e s und d e r e n

,

S pitz e in e in e m Punkt e d e s Aug e s lie gt Di e Ac hs e d e r .

Pyr amid e ( K e g e l ) ist d a nn d er lotr e c ht e Str ahl n ac h we l ,

c h e m die Wi rkung a m stärkst e n ist Dab e i wirkt e in .

kürz e re r K e g e l st ark e r als e i n läng e r e r d a d e r Abst a nd d e s ,

e rst e r e n vom Aug e ku r z e r ist und d e sh a lb d i e Kr aft ni c ht

so g e s c hw äc ht wird Di e s e r Grund üb e rwi e gt au c h d e n d ass

.
,

e i n s p itz e r K e g e l si c h m e hr d e r s e nkr e c ht e n Ri c htung n ä h e rt

als e i n stum p fe r .

5 . D er Gang de s Li chtes er ordert

f Z ei t 2

Em p e dokl e s h att e g e l e hrt d ass d as Li c ht Z e it br au c ht

,

zur Fort pfl anzung Aristot e l e s wid e rs pr a c h ihm inde m er

.
,

si c h vom S c he in e t a us c h e n lie ss Ihm folgt e n di e m e ist e n .

a nd e r e n
, d arunt e r S e n e c a und H e ron d i e Ar ab e r Alki ndi , ,

Ave rro e s s p ät e r au c h Le onardo d a V inc i und sog a r no c h

,

Bacon von V e rul am und De s c a rt e s E in e Ausn ahm e .

m ac ht e n b e sond e rs de r Ar ab e r Ihn a l H ai ta m (Alh ac e n)

und Rog e r Bac on Ab e r e rst O Rom e r ( 1 6 7 3) e rbr ac ht e
. .

d e n si c h e r e n B e we is d ass d as Li c ht zur Fort p fl anzung Z e it

,

br a uc ht .

Bac on k e nnt was s e in e V org ä ng e r l e hr e n

, Alki ndi z B . . .

a rgum e nti e r e : We nn e i n g e wiss e r R au m in e in e r unme rk

li e h e n Ze it dur c h e ilt wird so muss e in do pp e lt e r We g in
,

e in e r do p p e l t so l a ng e n Z e it zur uc k g e l e gt w e rd e n u s f .

De sh alb m usst e do c h di e Z e it d i e zum We g e von Ost e n ,

n ach We st e n notig ist wahrn e h m b a r s e in Wir m e rk e n

, .

B r i d ge s , ii 39 . .
2
Ibi d 11 . 6 7 —7 4 5 2 5—9
, .
222 R OG E R BA CON

ab e r ni c hts d a r an also m uss d as ,

Li c ht in e in e m e inzig e n
unt e ilb ar e n Mom e nt e ntst e h e n .

D e mg e g e n ü b e r j e do c h zu b e m e rk e n d ass d as E ntst e h e n
se i
d e r S p e zi e s zwa r s c hn e ll und in unm e rkli c h e r Z e it vor si c h
g e h e ab e r zwi s c h e n d e n e inz e ln e n Mom e nt e n no c h g anz
,

un m e rklic h e Abstu fung e n mögli c h s e i e n Dass a uc h d ie .

g anz e Z e it d i e d as Li c ht von Ost e n n ac h We st e n br a u c ht

, ,

unt e r d e r S c hwe ll e d e r Sinn e swa hr n e hmung bl e ib e n könn e ,

wi e d as e rst e Z e i t t e il c h e n e rklär e si c h d a r a us d as s u ns e r
, ,

Aug e üb e rh a u p t e in e m e rkli c h e Z e it br au c ht um e in e n ,

E indr u c k w a hrzun e h m e n Au c h Alh ace n l ehr e d a ss j e d e

.
,

n atürli c h e V e ränd e rung also a u c h d i e Li c h t fort pflanzung

, ,

in d e r Z e it vo r si c h g e h e De nn we nn d as Li c ht in e in e m
.

b e stimmt e n Mom e nt e a m An fang e e in e s R a um e s ist so ,

könn e e s in d e ms e lb e n Mom e nt e ni c ht a u c h a m E nd e
d e ss e lb e n s e in Das Li c ht l e g e in e in e m Aug e nbli c k e
.

e in e n P u nkt zur uc k e in e Str e c k e a b e r in d e r Z e it

,
.

Di e Fort pflanz ung der S pe zi e s in d er Z e it folg e rt B a con

a u c h aus d e m Wi d e rst and e i m Me dium d e n s i e auf d e m ,

G a ng e zu üb e rwind e n h at Er s c hr e ibt .

Nac h Alh ac e n e ntst e ht im Me dium imm e r V e r d unnu ng

und V e rdi c htung wob e i d as Dünn e d e m V e rdic ht e n wide r
,

str e bt Da dur c h wird di e S p e zi e s imm e r s c hwäc h e r und

.

s c hwäc h e r d i e Kr aft vom Ag e ns h e r wird m it d e r Ent

,

fe rnung imm e r g e ring e r und d as dur c hl a u fe n e Me dium

m a n c hm al di c ht e r wi e z B di e Lu fts c hi c ht e n g e g e n d i e
,
. .

Erdob e rflä c h e zu imm e r di c ht e r w e rd e n Das Me dium k a nn .

sog a r so dic ht we rd e n d ass d e r Str a hl r e fle kti e rt wird Ab e r

,
.

n i e ist e s so di c ht d ass ni c ht do c h i rg e nd wi e e in e S pe zi e s
,

hindur c hging e w e nn wir e s a u c h mit d e n Sinn e n ni c ht

,

w ahrn e hm e n S e lbst dur c h di c ke Klum p e n von Gold und

.

Erz g e h e n no c h di e S pe zi e s von S c h all und Wärm e hindur c h .

Wa s a b e r di e S c hn e lligk e it d e r Fort pfl a nzung anl angt so ,

wi rd s i e a u c h durch di e Wide rst änd e ni c ht so w e it ve rzög e rt ,

d ass wir d i e Z e it wa hrn e hm e n könnt e n Und so müs s e n .

wi r d e nn s a g e n d a ss di e s e B e w e gung d i e s c hn ellst e ist

, ,

d i e wir k e nn e n so s c hn e ll d ass si e mit k e in e r a nd e r e n v e r

, ,

gli c h e n w e rd e n k a nn .
224 R OG E R B A CON

e rwah nt im 5 Bu c h e d e Genera ti one A n i ma li um b e id e

.

Th e ori e n Str ahl e n zum und vom Aug e ohn e e in e r d e rs e lb e n

, ,

e in e n b e sti m mt e n V orzug zu g e b e n An e in e r a nd e r e n
.

St e ll e a b e r näm li c h im Tr akt at e de S ensu ve rurt e ilt e r

, ,

e nts c hi e d e n d i e Str ahlung vom Aug e .

Na c h di e s e n a llg e m e in e n Be m e rkung e n woll e n wir nun

d i e e ig e n a rtig e S e hth e ori e Rog e r B ac ons s e lbst b e tr a c ht e n .

Be im S e h e n so führt e r a us h a nd e lt e s si c h vor all e m um

, ,

d i e S pe zi e s von Li c ht und F a rb e Ohn e Li c ht si e ht m an

.

ni c hts und zu st ark e s Li c ht ve rdunk e lt all e s s c hw ac h e Li c ht ,

s c hwäc ht d as S e h e n und s c h ad e t d e m Aug e Dass g anz .

b e sond e rs d i e F arb e n a uf d as S e h e n Einfluss h ab e n e rgibt ,

sich d ar aus d ass d as Aug e we nn e s b e is pi e lsw e is e auf h e ll

, ,

b e l e uc ht e t e m di c ht e r e n Grun g e ruht h a t und si c h d a nn auf

e in e n dunkl e n Ort hinw e nd e t d e n Eindru c k d e s Gr un e ri no c h
,

e in e Z e itl a ng b e ib e hält od e r w e nn m an e s a u f e in e n m assig

, ,

b e l e u c ht e t e n we iss e n G e g e nst and ri c ht e t d e n Eindru c k ,

von we iss und grun g e mis c ht e m pfind e t Das Li c ht modi .

fi zi e rt a u c h d i e Farb e ne m pfi nd ung wi e wir e s b e i d e n

,

Farb e n d e r Ta ub e an d e r Pfaufe de r an d e n S c hu p pe n d e r
, ,

Fis c he und am faul e n Ei c h e nholz d e utli c h s e h e n di e dur c h ,

d e n W e c hs e l d e r e in fal l e nd e n Li c htstr ahl e n e ntst e h e n .

Auss e r Lic ht und Fa rb e g e hör e n sod ann zum S e h e n no c h

e i n g e wiss e r Abst a nd d e s G e g e nst a nd e s vom Aug e La g e d es ,

G e g e nst a nde s im G e si c hts fe ld und e in e e nts pr e c h e nd e

Gröss e d e s G eg e nst ande s We it e r e B e dingung e n sind d ass
.
,

das Obj e kt di c ht e r als d i e Lu ft und d e r Himm e l s ei sowi e ,

e in e e nts pr e c h e nd e D ünnh e it und Dur c hsi c htigk e it d e s

Me diums .

Das S e h e n s e lbst vo llzi e ht si c h zun ac hst mitt e ls d e r Str ab

l e n e in e s Str a hl e nk e g e ls d e r s e in e S pitz e im Z e ntrum d e s
,

Aug e s h at und de ss e n Basis auf d e m Se h obje kt e li e gt Di e .

e inz e ln e n Str ahl e n d e s K e g e ls st e h e n a u f d e n Kug e l fla c h e n

d e r Aug e nt e il e s e nkr e c ht u n d pro p zi e re n a uf d e r Lins e

gl e i c hs am d i e Punkt e d e s Obj e kt e s in ve rkl e in e rt e m Mass
 LEHR E V ON DER S INNLI CH EN SP EZ IES 225

st abe , a e b r in d e rs elb e n Anordnung wi e am Obj e kt e s e lbst .

Auss e r di e s e n von d en Punkt e n d es Obj e kt e s her s e nkr e c ht

e in fall e nd e n Str a hl e n g e l ang en a b e r von ihn e n a u c h no c h

s c hi e fe Str ahl e n und schi e fe K e g e l zum Aug e d i e d as Bild ,

nicht st ör e n d a s i e ja dur c h ihr e Ri c htung und durch d i e

,

Br e chung d ie si e im Aug e e rl e id e n s c hwä c h e r sind

, Ja , .

d i e Br e chung k a nn s i e sog a r zum nämli c h e n Punkt e im Aug e

führ e n wohin a uch d i e lotr e c ht e n g e l ang e n wodur c h
, ,

d i e Wirkung d i e von e i n und d e ms e lb e n Punkt e a usg e ht

, ,

ve rst ärkt wird Der lotr e c ht e K eg e l h e isst d e r e ig e ntlic h e Seh

.

od e r Str ahl e nke g el S e in e Basis ist mit Ruc k si c ht auf d as

.

Deutli c h s eh e n b e s c hränkt Was auss e rh alb di e s e r Gr e nz e

.

li e gt wird s c hl e c ht od e r gar ni c ht di e St ell e auf we l c h e di e

, , ,

Achs e g e ri c ht e t ist am d e utli c hst e n g e s e h e n

, .

Auss e r d en S pe zi e s di e vom Obj ekt ausg e h e n und auf

,

d as Aug e wirk e n nimmt B acon m e rkwürdig e rwe is e e ntg e g e n

,

d e r kl ar e n Le hr e Al h ac e ns und a nd e r e r mit B e ru fung auf

Ti d e us Ptol e m a e us und b e sond e rs Alki nd i und f älschli c h
,

auf Aristot e l e s e in e n A us fluss aus d e m Aug e an zw a r nicht ,

e in e n r e in m at e ri e ll e n wi e e inig e d er Alt e n sond e rn e in e n ,

b e s e e lt e n d e r ab e r doch d e r S pe zi e s von l e blos e n Ding e n

,

s ehr ähnlich ist .

Hore n wir s e in e Ausfuhrungen

Wi e e in unb e s e e lt e r G e g e nst a nd e in e unb es ee lt e S p e zi e s
wi rkt so d as b e s e elt e Org a n e in e b es e e lt e di e gl e i c hs a m an
, ,

d e r Kr a ft d e r S e e l e t e il h at Ma n d a r f a lso ni c ht a nn e hm e n
.
,

d ass di es e S pe zi e s si c h wi e e in Kör pe r vom Aug e zum

Obj e kt e hin e rstr e c k e au c h ni c ht d ass di e Auge ns pe zi es ,

d i e d e s G e g e nst a nd e s a n si c h r e iss e und zum Aug e f ühr e ;

wir müss e n di e Ansic ht d e s Aristot e l e s d ass d as S e h e n aktive r ,

und p assiv e r Na tur s e i so ve rst e he n d ass d as Auge di e

, ,

S pe zi e s d e s Obj e kt e s au fnimmt und zugl e i c h s e in e Kr aft auf

d as Me dium bis zum Obj e kt e in unm e rkli c h kurz e r Z e it
a u s ub t Wi e j e d e s Naturding s e ine Wirkung durc h e ig e n e
.

Kr aft vollbringt so e rke nnt au c h d as Aug e dur c h s e in e

,

e ig e n e Kr aft e i n Ding d as a uss e rh alb s e in e r li e gt

, Di e .

S pe zi e s d e r Ding e b e dür fe n üb erh au pt d e r Anr egung von

1 68 9
Q
2 26 R OGE R B A CON

S e it e n de s Auge s wodur c h si e pr äpari e rt und de m b e s e e lt e n

,

Org a n a ng e passt we rd e n .

Ae h nli c h wie b e i d e n S pe zi e s d e r Obj e kt e h ab e n wir uns

a lso von d e r Lins e d es Aug e s aus unzählig e K e g e l zu d e nk e n ,

d ie a ll e di e s e lb e B asis h ab e n und d e r e n S p itz e n si c h a uf d i e

e inz e ln e n Punkt e d e s O bj e kt e s e rstr e c k e n Unt e r allen .

di e s e n ist e in e r d e r H au ptke g e l d e ss e n Ac hs e durc h all e ,

Z e ntr e n d e s Aug e s g e ht Wir h ab e n uns also zwe i K e g e l

.

zu d e nk e n e in e n vom Obj e kt und e in e n vom Auge Si e

, .

tr e ffe n an e in e m b e stimmt e n Ort e zus am m e n wob e i ke i n e ,

V e r wirrung e n tst e ht d a s ie nic ht von d e rs e lb e n Art sind

,

und d ie Kr aft d e r S e e l e d e n unb e s e e lt e n Str a hl e nk e g e l

üb e rwi e gt Di e Natur bie t e t uns d afür e i n B e is pi e l Di e
. .

Lu ft könn e n wir ni c ht s e h e n sol a ng e s i e in uns e r e r Näh e

,

ist e rst in gross e r Ent fe rnung n e h m e n wir s ie wa hr De r .

Grund lie gt ni c ht bloss d arin d ass si c h vi e l e S c hi c ht e n ,

a ng e häu f t h ab e n ( wi e ja a u c h e i n ti e fe s W a ss e r dunkl e r
e rs c h e int ) sond e rn w e i l di e S e h kr a ft ni c ht m e hr hinr e i c ht
, ,

s i e zu dur c hdring e n Ei n w e it e r e s B e is p i e l li e fe rt Li c ht und

.

F arb e d e s Himm e ls in e ine m Wass e rs pi e g e l b e tr ac ht e t .

D a mo c ht e man m e in e n e s m üss e d i e e nt fe rnt e Lu ft e i n e

,

si c htb ar e S pe zi e s h ab e n d i e zum Aug e v o m Wass e rs p ie g e l

,

r e fle kti e rt wird De m ist a b e r nic ht so Es e xisti e rt nur

d i e S p e zi e s d e s Aug e s di e si c h ohn e Wa ss e rs p i e g e l i n ung e
. .

b roc h e ner Lini e bis zum Fir m ame nt e fo rt pflanzt hi e r ab e r ,

r e fle xi v v e rmitt e lst d e s S p i e g e ls i n j e n e F e rn e g e l angt

I
.

Roge r B ac on ge h ort zu d e n we nig e n Mä nne rn d ie im 1 3 ,

.

J a hrhund e rt als di e s c hol astis c h e Philoso phi e a ll e s b e

h er rs cht e si c h d e m Studium d er Natur widm e t e n Er war
, .

e in origin a l e r D e nk e r Wir h ab e n s e ine Spe zie sl ehre in d en

.

H aupt zuge n k e nn e n g e l e rnt und im Ans c hl uss d a r a n s e in e

S e hth e ori e b e tr ac ht e t Aus all e m t r itt uns d e r r e ale auf
.
,

d as Einz e ln e und Pr a ktis c h e g e ri c ht e t e Sinn d e s Englände rs

e ntg e g e n . Di e S pe zi esle hre bilde t a b e r üb e rh au p t d e n
S c hluss e l zum V e rständnis s e in e r Physik nam e ntlic h d e r ,

Optik } Sie b e we gt sic h zwa r no c h g a nz a uf d e m B od e n d e r

S c hol astik ab e r e s l e uc ht e t do c h e i n ti e fe r e s Ve rständnis
,

1
B r i d ge s , II .
7 8, 92 .
ROGE R B A C ON S ART DES WISSE N SC HAFT
L IC HE N A RB E ITE N S DA RGE STE LL T ,

N A C H SE I N E R SC HRI FT DE S P E C ULI S

V ON W Ü RSCHMIDT
WENN wir ve rsuc he n woll e n uns von d er Art d es wis sen ,

schaftli c he n Arb e it e ns e ine s gross e n Manne s e ine V orst e llung

zu m ac he n so we rde n wir nic ht solch e We rk e b e trac ht e n
, ,

in d e n e n e r d ie Summ e s e in e r Er fahrunge n und K e nntnis se

ni e d e rge le gt hat s ond e rn e in S pe zi alwe rk unt e rsuc he n i n
, ,

we l c he m er e in wiss e ns c haftliche s Probl e m sich st e llt und

n ach allen Richtung e n diskuti e rt Ein e sol c he Einze lunte r .

suchung Rog e r Bac ons b e zie ht si c h auf die Br e nns pi ege l

und ist nie d e rge l egt in s e in e r S c hri ft De speculi s Währe nd .

H e rr E Wi e d e m ann in e in e r Arb e it üb e r die G e s c hic ht e

.
1

d es B r e nns pi e g e ls unt e rsu c ht h at wi e si c h d i e Erg e bniss e ,

R Bacons hi stori sch e inr e ih e n solle n die folge nd e n Aus

.
,

führung e n l e hr e n w e lche s d i e A r bei tsmethode di e s e s Be

,

gründ e rs der m ath e m atisch e n Physik wi e ihn S V ogl .

b e ze i c hne t g e we s e n ist Zur allg e m e ine n Ch ar akt e risie r ung

, .

d e s Mann e s und s e in e r b e d e uts am e n Le istung e n auf d e m

G e bi e t e der Naturw i ss e ns c h aft e n se i auf die Aus führung e n
S Vo gls hinge wi es e n
. .

De r Tr akt at D e speculi s von R Bacon wurd e g e m e ins am .

mit s e ine r P erspecti va e in e m Te il e s e in e s Opus mai us von

, ,

Joh anne s Comb ach 1 6 1 4 in Frankfurt h e rausg ege b e n und

b e s c hä ftigt sich wie d e r Nam e s agt mit de r The ori e der
, ,

S pi eg el j e doch wird nur die Le hr e von d e n s phärische n und

,

E . W i e d ema nn Wi e d, . A nn .
, Nr 39 S . . . 1 10 , 1 8 90 .

2
S V og l , D i e P hy si k R B acos , I n -Di ss
. . . Erla nge n, 1 90 6 .
2 30 R OG ER BA CON

pa a r bolisch e n Hohls pi e g e ln d ie we g e n ihr e r s e it alt e rs ,

b e k annt e n Eig e ns c h aft a ls B re nns pi e g e l d as I nt e re ss e am

m e ist e n b e a ns pru c h e n b e h and elt ,
.

Ei n Bli c k a u f d ie d e r S c h r i ft b e ig e g e b e n e n Z e i c hnung e n
z e igt zun ac hst d ass in d e m W e rk s c h e inb ar g anz v e rs c hi e
,

d e n e Probl e m e b e h and e lt w e rd e n nu r d i e e rst e n Figur e n

zeig e n d en s ph ärisc h e n Hohls pi e g e l und di e von d e r Sonn e

a usg e h e nd e n und an d e m S p i e g e l r e fle k t i e r t e n Str ahl e n ,

d ara n s c hli e ss e n si c h Abbildung e n di e si c h auf die S c h att e n ,

bildung l e u c ht e nd e r Kör p e r und d e n Dur c hg ang d e s Li c ht e s

durc h Oeffnunge n b e zi eh e n Erst d i e l e tzt e n S e it e n d e s
“

We rke s b e s c hä ftig e n si c h wi e d e r mit d e m S pi e g e l und zwa r ,

mit d e m p ar abolis c h e n Hohls pi e g e l und s e in e r Konstruktion ,

e b e nso b e fass e n si c h d i e d e m Tr akt a t ang e fügt e n No t ul ae

"
d e s pe culo mit d e m Hohls p i e g e l V ogl b e h a nd e lt d e m e nt .

s pre ch e nd d i e e inz e ln e n Te il e in ve rs c hi e d e n e n Abs c hnitt e n

s e ine r Arb e it t e ils i n d e n K apit e ln üb e r s phäris c h e b e zw
, .

p a r abolis c h e Hohls p i e g e l ; hi e r im Zus a mm e nh a ng mit d e n

im Opus mai us üb e r di es e s G e bi e t ni e d e rg e l e gt e n Ansi c ht e n ,

t e ils in d e m K apit e l üb e r d i e durc h e in e O effnung e rze ugt e n

B ild e r
Ein e e ing e h e nd e r e P ru fung d e s W e rk e s wird j e doch z e ig en ,

in we l c h e r We is e R Bacon d i e s c h e inb a r g anz v e rsc hi e d e n e n

.

G e bi e t e n d e r Optik a ng e hörig e n G e g e nständ e zur Lösung

e in e s b e stimmt e n P r o bl e m e s b e nutzt h at So e rh alt e n wir .

e in e n E inbli c k in d i e wiss e ns c h aftli c h e Arb e itsm e thod e d e s

—

Mann e s zugl e i c h g e ht hi e r a us h e rvor inwi e w e it R Bacon

, , .

von früh e re n G e l e hrt e n d i e si c h mit di e s en Probl e m e n

,

b e s c häftigt e n b e einflusst ist und wo e r s e lbständig vor

, ,

g e g ang e n ist .

W i i ch e i n e r b ri e fli ch e n Mi tt e il un g v on P of es s or Cli f t on a n
e r

G e h e i m a t W i e d e m an n
r ntn h m i s t d as O xf o d e
e e Man usk ri p t
e, r r

d er N o t ul a e ( B o dle y 8 7 4) v on d e r g l e i c h e n H a n d wi e di e d e s
W e rk e s s e lb s t , s a t mmt a l so wi e d i e se s a u s d e r Z e i z wi sc h e n 1 4 0 0
t
u nd 1 42 5 . Ob R B a c on . se l b s t d e r V e rfa sse r d e r ‘
N ot ula e f i s t o d er

ni ch t s t eh t n i c h t f e st
, ,
.
2 32 R OG E R BA CON

Ansi c ht e n find e n Und zwa r sind hi e r g e n a u d ie gl e iche n

.

Z e i c hnung e n d e s Str ahl e ng ange s ge g e b e n wie wir s ie be i ,

R Bac on ( vgl Fig 1 u 2 ) find e n V on d e r uns ge laufige n

. . . . .

B e tr ac htungswe is e d ie p ar a lle l e von d e r Sonn e a usg e h e nd e

,

Str a hl e n zur Konstruktion d e s Br e nn p unkt e s d e s Hohls pi e g e ls

b e nutzt find e t si c h hie r no c h ke in e Ande utung d ie Sonn e
,

wird nicht in p r aktisc h un e ndliche r sond e rn in e ndlich e r,

Ent fe rnung vom S pi e g e l g e d a cht und e s we rd e n wi e g e z e igt

, , .

im e rst e n Fall e Stra hl e n von ei nem Punkt im zwe it e n von ,

vers chi edenen Punkt e n d e r So nne nob e rfläc h e b e tr acht e t .

F re . 2 .

R Bac on st e llt si c h nun d ie Au fg ab e zwis c h e n dies e n

.
,

b e id e n zun achst s c he inb a r gl e ich b e r e c htigt e n Ansicht e n

zu e nts c h e id e n hi e r nimmt e r in hohe m Mass e d i e Erf ahrung
( experi enti a ) b e zw d as Experi ment zu Hil fe
. .

Dass von d e m im e rst e n F all e b e tr a c ht e t e n Punkt d e r

Sonn e Li c ht n ach a ll e n Punkt e n de s S pi eg e ls g e l ang e n k ann ,

ist an sich kl ar d a sich d as Li c ht g e r a dlinig fo rt pflanzt

, ,

und somit zu a lle n Punkt e n g e l ang e n k ann die vor de r i n ,

j e n e m Punkt an d i e Sonn e g e zoge ne n Tang e nt e li e g e n .

Zugle i c h ab e r folgt d ass nicht nur von di e s e m ei nen Punkt

,

d e r Sonn e sond e rn von all en Punkt e n de s sichtb ar e n Te il es

,

d e r Sonn e ( de r durch d ie Tang e nt e n vom Aug e an d ie

Sonn e nkug e l b e gr e nzt ist ) n ach de m im Pol b e findliche n
Auge Lichtstr ahle n g e l ang e n konne n V on alle n die se n .
 DE SPECULIS 2 33

Str ahl en ist ab e r n ach e in e r von R Bacon m e hr fach ge aus .

sert e n Ansi c ht d e r Z e ntr a lstr a hl d h der in de r A c hs e

, . .

ve rl au fe nde der kürze st e und hat infolg e d e ss e n die stär kst e

,

Wirkung R Bacon g e ht also hi e r von de r Erfahrungst at

. .

s ache aus d ass die Int e nsität d e s Li c ht e s mit d e r Ent fe rnung

,

a bnimmt fr e ili c h w e nd e t e r s i e hi e r in e in e m F a ll an b e i
, ,

d e m in folg e d e r gross e n Ent fe rnung e n di e V e rschi e d e nh e i t

d es Lichtw e g e s t at s ae hli c h ni c ht in B e tr acht kommt De r .

zwe it e Grund d afür d ass di e s e r Z e ntr alstrahl die st ä rkst e

,

Wirkung h at ist n ach uns e r e m Autor d arin zu su c h e n d ass

, ,

e r s e nkr e c ht aus d e r l e u c ht e nd e n Fl a ch e a ustritt währ e nd ,

all e a nd e r e n Str ahl e n e in e n schi e fe n Wink e l mit di e s e r

bild e n Au c h di e s e Ansi c ht R Bac ons b e ruht wohl auf

. .

e in e m Er fahrungss atz n amlich d e r Ta ts ac h e d ass von all e n

, ,

unt e r irg e nd e in e m Wink e l auf e in e Fläc h e a u ffall e nd e n

Str ahl e n d e r s e nkr e cht e d ie stärkst e Wirkung hat ; di e s e r
Fa ll wird hi e r auf d ie aus e in e r l e u c ht e nd e n Ob e rflac h e
a us tr e t e nd e n Str ahl e n ub e rt ra g e n .

Aus d em S atz von de r g e r a dlinig e n Fort pfl anzung d es

Licht e s folgt fe rn e r d ass ni c ht nur n a ch d e m A c hs e n punkt
,

( Pol ) d e s S pi e g e ls sond e rn n ac h jedem P unkt von allen Punk

,

t e n d er So nne no be rfläc he w e nigst e ns von a ll e n dur c h d e n

,

Tange nt i alke ge l von j e n e m Punkt b e gr e nzt e n Str ahl e n g e h e n , .

Auch in di e s e n Str ahl e nk eg e ln sind aus de n b e id e n ob e n

ange fuhrt e n Grund e n d i e Z e ntr alstr ahl e n di e wirks a mst e n .

R Bac on ist somit zu d e r ri c htig e n Erk e nntnis g e komm e n

. ,

d as s auf j e de n Punkt d es Hohls pi e g e ls von alle n Punkt e n

d er So nne nob e rfläc h e Str ahl e n komm e n a lso e i n Str ahl e n ,

k e g e l trifft d ie un e ndli c h vi e l e n Str ahl e n all di e s e r une nd

lich vi e l e n Str ahl e nk e g e l ve r e inig e n si c h d a nn in e in e m
P unkt ode r wi e e r g anz tr e ffe nd b e m e rkt auf e ine r kl e in e n
, ,

St e lle d i e ni c ht so br e it ist wi e e in De n ar
,
.
’

Die Schwi e rigk e it d i e no c h d arin li e gt d ass ja in Wirk

, ,

lic hk e it nic ht a lle Str ahl e nk e g e l n ac h dem e in e n Punkt

r e flekti ert w e rd e n k ann e r noch nicht üb e rwind e n j e doch
,
2 34 R OG ER B A CON

muss e n wir b e d e nk e n d ass ja au c h wir ub e r di e s e S chwi erig

,

k e it e n b e i d e r e l e m e nt ar e n Darst ellung d e r Th e ori e d es

Hohls pi e g e ls no c h fluc ht ige r hinwe gg eh e n we nn wir nur ,

p a r a ll e l e von d er Sonn e a usg e h e nd e Str a hl e n zur K o n st ru k

tion b e nutz e n .
Di e zw e it e von Euk lid g e m ac ht e Ann ahm e n a mlich d ass ,

d e r B r e nn p unkt mit d e m Mitt e l punkt d es S pi e g e ls zusam ’

me ntalle ist a b e r dur c h d i e bish e rig e n Aus fü hrung e n e rl edigt ,

,

d e nn dur c h di e s e n Mitt e l punkt g e h e n von d e r Sonn e zwar

un endli c h vi e l e ab e r e b e n nur ei nf a ch une ndlich vi e l e
,

Strahl e n währ e nd dur c h d en wirkli c h e n Br e nn punkt wie

, ,

d i e Obig e Darst e llung z e igt e in e gröss e r e Ma nnig faltigk e it

,

von Str ahl e n nämli c h unendli ch vi ele S trahlen unendli ch

,

vi el er S tra hl en kegel g e h e n .

Wi c htig ist nun zu s e h e n wi e di e s e Grundt ats ac h e d ass

, ,

ni c ht ei n Punkt de r Sonne n ob e rfl äc he sond e rn a lle inn e rh alb

,

d e s Tange nt i alk e g e l s g e l e g e n e n Punkt e Li c ht a uss e nd e n ,

von R B ac on unt e r Zuhil fe n ahm e von Er fahrung und

.

Ex pe rim e nt n ac h ge pruft wird .

Da ss t a ts ä c hli c h alle Punkt e Li c ht a uss e nd e n l e hrt uns ,

zunä c hst die Erf ahrung Di e s s e h e n wir an d e n S c h att e n

.
,

d i e b e i a ll e n Ge ge n s t and e n d i e kl e in e r a ls d i e Sonne sind

, ,

konve rgi e r e n im s pe zi e ll e n am Erds c h att e n d e ss e n Be ob ac h

, ,

tung b e i e in e r Mo nd finst e rnis mögli c h ist In sinnre i c h e r .

We is e unt e rsu cht R Bac on wohl im Ans c hluss an a nd e re

.

G e l e hrt e an di e s e m B e is pi e l e d i e ve rs c hi e d e n e n a nd e r e n
mögli c h e n F a ll e n a mli c h d ass d e r S c h att e n dur c h P a r all el e
,

b egre nzt od e r dive rg e nt ist ind e m e r n ac hwe ist d ass in

, ,

di e s e n b e id e n Fäll e n d i e Da u e r d e r Mond finst e rnis vi e l

gross e r s e in müsst e als wir t atsäc hli c h b e ob acht e n So
,
.

bl e ibt nur d i e Mögli c hke it e in e s konve rg e nt e n S c h att e ns .

Ei n e inzig e r Li c ht a uss e nd e nd e r Punkt wurd e e in e n d i ve rge n

t e n Sch a tt e n l i e fern e b e ns o a u c h e i n l e uc ht e nd e r Kör pe r von
, .

kl e in e r e n Di me nsion e n als d e r sc hatt e nge b e nd e wi e d er ,

Autor aus führli c h an d e n e nts pr e c h e nd e n g e om e trisch e n

2 36 R OG E R B A CON

Str ahl e n pyr amide unt e rsu c ht d e r e n gl e ic h falls in de r Sonn e

,

lie g e nd e B asis ähnli c h d er Oeffnung ist ( Die s e wird im .

s pe zie ll e n F all als Dr e ie c k g e wählt ) Au c h hi e r kn ü pft e r

.

wie de r an e in e e x pe rim e nt e ll e Tats ach e an e in e Be obac h ,

tung an n a mli c h d ass d as Li c ht d e r St e rn e durch d as vi el

,

wirks am e re Sonne nlic ht fur uns am Tag e a usg e lös c ht wird ,

nur vom B od e n e in e s B runne ns konn e man a uch am Tag e d i e

St e rn e s e h e n SO we rd e a u c h die Wirkung g e wiss e r Strahl e n
.

d es K e g e ls dur c h d ie d e r Pyr a mid e üb e rtönt und v e rdunk e lt .

Hi e mit h at R B ac on d ie Unt e rsuchung sowe it fortg e führt

.
,

d ass e r zu s e in e m e ig e ntli c h e n The m a d e r Th e orie d es ,

Hohls pie g e ls zurue kk e hre n k ann Wir wiss e n nun d ass

,
.
,

für d e n Hohls p i e g e l alle von d e r Sonn e komm e nd e n Str ahl e n ,

also Str ahl e nk e g e l in Be tr ac ht komm e n und muss e n d e n

,

we it e r e n V e rl a u f di e s e r Strahl e nke g e l unt e rsuch e n R Ba con . .

g e ht von de n e in fac hst e n Fälle n d e r R e fl e xion aus b e h and e lt ,

s ie a b e r ni c h t fü r e inz e ln e Str ahl e n sond e rn gl e i c h für d ie

,

e inz e ln e n Str a hl e nk e g e l d i e von d e r Sonn e a usg e h e n

, Er .

z e igt d ass b e i e ine m e b e ne n S p i e ge l e in d e r artig e r k onve r

,

g e nt e r Str ahle nke g e l e ntwe d e r in sich s e lbst b e i s e nkr e cht e r

Achs e zum S p i e g e l ode r in e in e n a nd e r e n K e g e l b e i schi e fe r
,

Achs e r e fle ktie rt wird ind e m e r das Re flexi onsge s e tz auf

,

d i e e inz e ln e n Str a hl e n d e r K e g e l a nw e nd e t ( Di e refle k .

t i e rt e n Str a hl e nk e g e l sind n a türli c h div e rg e nt g e word e n ;

vgl Fig
. . Da nn w e nd e t e r di e s e R e s ult at e auf di e g e
krümmt e n S pi eg e l an d ie s aule n od e r pyrami de nformige n
,

Konk av ode r Konv e xs p i e g e l d ie s p härisch e n od e r par a

,

b o li s c h e n Hohls p i e g e l fü r d i e e r si c h a uf d i e V e rf ass e r de r
,

P e rs pe ktive und auf d ie V e r fass e r d e r B uc h e r üb e r di e

g e wöhnliche n und B r e nns p i e g e l b e ru ft ( Hie zu se i auf d i e .

Arb e it von E Wi e d e m ann üb e r d i e G e schicht e d er Br e nn

.

s p i e g e l sowie a uf d i e Aus führunge n S Vogls v e rwi e s e n )

, . .

R Bacon s c hlie sst s i c h ab e r ni c ht an di e s e ihm b e k annt e n

.

Darst e llung e n d e r Le hr e vom Ho hls p i e g e l an sond e rn s e tzt ,

s e in e Be tr achtung e n g anz s e lbständig fort Er b e m erkt .

,
 DE SPECULIS 2 37

d as s b e i d erR e fl e xion d er obige n Strahl e nk eg e l ihr e Oe ti

nungswi nk e l e rh alt e n bl e ib e n ; e r w e ist d ar au f hin d a ss ,

d i e s e r fü r die Sonn e nstr ahl e n 32 (gl e i c h d e m sch e inb ar e n

’

Sonne ndurchm e ss e r) ist und z e igt d ass e in d e ra rtige s kon

, ,

ve rge nt e s St rahle nb un d e l n ach d e r R e fl e xion a n e in e m

Punkt e e in e s S pi e g e ls e in dive rg e nt e s wird So ist auch b e im .

Hohl spi e g e l d i e S a mmlung d e r Str ahl e n in e ine m Punkt e ’

d e m B r e nn p unkt e nur e in e sch e inb a r e d e nn w e nigst e ns

, , ,

f ür di e Str a hl e n j e d e s e inz e ln e n K e g e ls b e wirkt d i e R e fl e xion

,

e in e w e nn a u c h g e ring e Z e rstr e uung

, , Nun e rst m acht d e r
.

F re .
3 . F re .
4 .

Autor d en U e b e rg ang d e r uns h e utzut ag e so ge laufig ist

,

b e i d e r Be h a ndlung d e r Probl e m e d e r g e om e tris c h e n Optik

a n St e ll e d e r Kegel b e tr ac ht e t e r d e r e n A chsen d i e man d a nn ,

in abkürze nd e r Be z e i c hnungswe is e Str ahl e n n e nn e n könn e ; ’

ve re inig e n si c h di e s e ge n a u im Br e nn p unkt so we rd e d as fur ,

d i e a nd e r e n Str ahl e n d e r K e g e l in d e r Näh e d e s Br e nn p unkt e s

d e r F a ll s e in . Nac hd e m so d i e Str ahl e nk e g e l durc h d i e
Z e ntr alstr ahl e n e rs e tzt sind e ntst e ht noch d i e Fr ag e ob
, ,

man di e s e von e in e m Punkt d e m Sonn e nmitt e l p unkt

, ,

a usg e h e nd e n Z e ntr alstr ahl e n dur c h p a r all e l e Str ahl e n e r s e t

ze n d a r f . Zur Entsch e idung b e tr ac ht e t d er Autor wi e d e r

d i e V e rh ältniss e b e im e b e n e n S p i e g e l Hi e r fällt str e ng
.

g e nomm e n nur e in e inzig e r Z e ntr alstr ahl unt e r 90 auf die °

,
2 38 R OG E R B A CON

a nd e re n unt e r s pitze n Wink e ln s i e w e rd e n a lso n ach d e m

Re fle xi o nsg ese t z n ac h a uss e n ni c ht in si c h s e lbst r e fl e kti e rt
,

( vgl F
. i g . D a a b e r d i e Wink e l s e hr w e nig von e in e m .

R e c ht e n ve rs c hi e d e n sind so ist di e s e Abwe i c hung un me rk

,

li c h Wir b e ob a c ht e n a lso d ass d ie Str ahl e n in si c h s e lbst

.
,

re fl e ktie rt w e rd e n und könn e n somit a u c h d i e e infa lle nd e n

,

Str ahl e n a ls pr aktis c h p a ra ll e l b e tr ac ht e n J e tzt e rst ist .

R B ac on a uf d e m Punkt a ng e l angt von d e m d ie Be t rac h

.
,

tung e n e in e s I bn al H ait a m ihr e n Au s g a ngs punkt g e nomm e n

h ab e n Di e v e rs c hi e d e n e n Fo r m e n d e r Konka v und
.

Konve xs pi e g e l we rd e n nun in all e r K u rz e b e h and e lt ohn e ,

d ass au f Einz e lh e it e n e ing e g ang e n wird so wird d e r S atz ,

d ass d e r Br e nn punkt hö c hst e ns um d e n h alb e n Dur c hm e ss e r

d es S p i e g e ls vom A c hs e n punkt e nt fe r nt ist nur e rwähnt , ,

a b e r ni c ht b e wi e s e n Aus führli c h e r will si c h d e r Autor mit

.

d e m S p i e g e l b e s c hä ftig e n d e r ni c h t wi e d e r s phäris c h e nur

,

all e a uf e in e n Kr e is fa ll e nd e n Str ahl e n sond e r n a ll e ub e r ,

h au pt a uf ihn tr e ffe nd e n in e in e m e inzig e n Punkt e s amm e lt ,

mit d e m p ar a bolis c h e n Hohls p i e g e l Di e Konstruktion d e r .

P a r ab e l int e re ssi e rt ihn zunäc hst s ie wi rd aus e in e m

Kr e isk e g e l d e r zunä c hst h a lbi e rt wird dur c h e in e n S c hnitt
, ,

p a r a ll e l e i n e r M a nt e llini e g e wonn e n Mi t Hil fe di e s e r .

(h alb e n ) P a r ab e l wird d ann d e r S pi e g e l s e lbst h e rg e st e llt ,

g anz e b e nso wi e die s b e i Ib n al H a i tam b e s c hri e b e n

,

ist und zwa r e ntwe d e r e i n e i för m ig e r od e r e in ring

,

f örmig e r S p i e g e l Di e b e id e n Dars t e ll ung e n stimm e n t e il

.

w e is e fast wort li c h üb e r e in nur ist d i e d e s Ar ab e rs w e it

,

aus fuh rl i c h e r U e b e r d ie La g e d e s Br e nn p unkt e s be i d er

.

P a r ab e l m ac ht R Bac on k e in e Ang ab e n e r b e m e rkt d ass

.
,

e r hi e rüb e r ni chts si c h e r e s wiss e Hi e r aus g e ht h e rvor d ass

.
,

er di e Abh a ndlung Alh ac e ns zu d e r Z e it a ls e r s e in W e rk ,

s c h ri e b wohl nur t e ilwe is e g e k a nnt h at nämli c h nur d e n

, ,

Abs c hnitt de r si c h auf di e Konstruktion d e s S p i e g e ls b e zi e ht

,
.
‘

I n d e n d em W e rk e a ng e f ug t e n
‘
N o t ul a e d e s p e c ul o w e rd e n
e i ni g e s p e zi e l l e A ufga b e n d e r Th e o ri e d e r B r e nn sp i e g e l b eh a nd e l t .
 ROGE R B A CON ET L H ORREU R DU V IDE ’

P AR P IE RR E D U HE M

ON r e m arqué l influe n ce e x e rc é e par l e ns e igne me nt

a pe u
’ ’

d e Rog e r B ac on sur le s do c trin e s p hysiqu e s d e l a S c ol astiqu e ;

p a r fois c e p e nd a nt c e tt e in fl u e n c e a été tr es pro fond e ;
, ,

nous voudrions e n donn e r un e x e m pl e nous le fe rons e n

dis a nt comm e nt B ac on au suj e t d e la non e xist e nc e du ,
-

vid e a déve lo p p é d es idée s ä pe in e soupco nh ées a va nt lui

, ,

e t c omm e nt l a théori e qu il a va it p ro p osé e a été a do té e

’

p
d a ns les Unive rsités de P a ris e t d Oxford ’
.

I .
’
L IM P O S S I B I LITE DU V I DE E T L
’
EXP ERI E NCE .
— LE S
A RA BE S
Ni Arist o t e
ni ses comm e nt a t e urs gr e c s n ava i e nt solli c it é ’

l e Xpéri e nc e d a p por t e r son concours ä l arg um e n t at i o n dé

’ ’ ’

v e l o p p ée p ar l e Philoso p h e c ontr e l a p ossibilité du vid e

c e c on c ours l e s p hysi c i e ns a r ab e s a u c ontr a ir e n o nt p as

’

, , ,

m anqué d e l i nv o que r ’

Al Gazäli par e x e m pl e c it e ,
dive rs sign e s n a tur e ls p ar ,

C
’
es t ce t
q u e n o us a v o n s é a b l i d a n s : L e Sy s teme du M on de
H i s toi re d es d octr i n es c os mol og i qu e s d e P l a ton C ope r n i c‚ p r e mi ere

p ar , tie 5 ch i , pp
. V,3 3 3
2 — 2 t
L e l e c e u r ro u v e ra e n c e t
xi v , . . . t t
e n d r oi
’
t
l e x p o s é d e s o p i n i o n s d e P hil o n d e B y z an c e , d e H é r o n
d Al e x a n d ri e , d A l e x a n d r e d A p h ro d i si a s d e Th é m i st i us e t d e S i m
’ ’ ’

p l i c i us , au x q u e ll e s n o us f e r o ns a ll u s i o n d an s ce q ui v a s ui v r e .

P hi l osophi a A L G A ZE LI S ,
lib . I I, t ra c t . 1, c ap . vi : Ex t ri b u s
d a ri v a c uu m ed V e n e t ii s , 6 , f ol s i gn
s i gn i s p r o b a t ur n o n . 1 50 . .
g 2,

c o ll . b et 0 .

1 68 9
2 42 R OG E R BA CO N

l e squ e ls e s t détruit e l a s c i e nc e du vid e P armi c es sign es il .

’

m e ntionn e c e ux que m a ni fe st e nt le s v e ntous e s

P a r l a su c c ion l a ir e s t a ttiré e t a v e c l a ir s e trouv e
’ ’

, , ,

a tti r é e l a p e a u d e l homm e a u qu e l 0 11 v e ut a pp liqu e r l a

’

v e ntous e e n e ffe t si e ll e n é t ai t p as a tti r ée l e vid e int e r

,
’

vi e ndra it c e qui n a p as lie u Il e n e s t d e m em e e t p o u r

,
’
.
,

l a m é m e r a ison d a ns le v a s e o u l e a u se trouv e r e t e nu e bi e n
’

q ue l e v a s e soit r e tourné l o ri fic e e n b as e n e ffe t si l e a u

’ ’

, ,

sort ait il ne r e st e r ait plus ri e n a u fond du va s e

, Il e s t
d o ne im p ossibl e q ue le vid e soit e t q ue l e s sur fac e s d e d e ux
c or p s s e sé p a r e nt ä moins q ue qu e lqu e c hos e n e vi e nn e s int e r
’

p os e r I l e n e s t d e m e m e e n u n e f oul e d i n v e nt i o n s
’

ingéni e us e s qui prouve nt l i mposs ib ilit é du vid e ’

.
’

M0 15 e Mai mo nid e é c riva it d e m em e

S ac h e a ussi que le c élé bre Li vre des A rtifices c om p osé p ar ,

l e s Be ni Sc h äki r r e n fe rm e a u d e l a d e c e nt art i fi c e s q u i tous

-
, , ,

sont app uyés d e démonstr a tions e t ont ét é m is e n pr atiqu e

or si l e vid e p ouvait e xist e r p as un s e ul d e c e s pro c édés n e ,

p o u rr a it s e ff e c t u
’
e r e t bi e n d e s o p ér,a tions hydr au liqu e s n e

p ourr a i e nt a voir li e u Ce p e nd a nt on a p a
. ssé l a v i e ä a r gu ,

m e nt e r p our c o nfi rme r c e s pro positions e t d aut re s s e m

’
’

b lab l e s .

dont Ma rmonide nous p arl e i c i ce sont

Ces B e ni—Se h äk i r ,

le s trois fil s d e Mous a b e n Sc h äk i r nommés Mo h a rnme d

'

- -
, ,

Ahm e d e t Al H as an ils flori ss ai ent au I X s i e c l e e t av a i e nt

- °
,

ae quis u n e gr a nd e ré p ut a tion d e m a thém a ti c i e ns e t d e

mé c ani c i e ns le tr aité d e Ma thém atiqu e s qu 115 a vai e nt

c om p osé e n c oll a bor a tion e s t d e m e uré cél ebr e sous l e titr e
‘

d e L i vre des Troi s F rer es .

2

Le L i vre des A rtifices ,

Trois Fr ére s p r e n a nt Im po s
O ul e s ,

du vid e c omm e
s i bil i t é a xiom e e n déd u is ai e nt l e x pli c at i o n
,
’

d une f oul e d appare il s hydr aulique s plus ou moins ingéni e ux

’ ’

M O IS E B E N MA I M OU N d i t M A IM ON I D E L e g u i de d e s ég are s
'

, , ,

p r e m i er e p a rt i e oh l xxi i i 1 1 1
, t ra d S.M u n k t i 8
pp 3 4 5
,
—
, . .
, .
, .

L e t e xt e a ra b e d u t rai t é d e M é c a n i q u e d e s F il s d e M o usa e st
2

c o n se rv é e n ma n u sc ri t a l a B i b li o t h e u e d u V a t i ca n [ L l i v e d es
q e r .

A ppare i ls pn eu ma ti ques e t d es ma chi nes hy dr au l i ques p a r P H I L O N D E

B YZ A N C E , é d i té et tr adu i t en F r a n ga i s pa r l e B a r on CA RRA DE V AU X
( N oti ce s et extr a i ts des ma n u s cri ts de l a B i bl i otheque N a ti on a le et

d
’
a utres bi bli othéqu es , t . xxxvii i p rem i er e p arti e p 4 0 M D CCCC
, , . .
 R OG E R BA CO N

fa is ai e n t ut an t ä l a ide d e l e nt r ée d e l a ir d a ns les c h a n t e
’ ’ ’

p l e ur e s ( i n E n e ffe t t a n t q ue c e t instrum e n t
,

d e m e ur e c los p ar le h au t l e a u ne c oul e pas par le b as e ll e

,
’

s
’
qu on
é c o ule d es
’
e n débo u c h e le h a u t Ce l a provi e n t .

néc e ss air e m e n t d e l e nt r ée d e l a ir d a ns l i ns t r ume nt

' ’ ’

lo rsq ue l e a u e n so rt il ’

,
ne d e m e ur e p as vid e ,
m a is l a ir
’

su c c ed e ä l e a u ’
.
’

Ave rro es a lu le c omm e nt air e d e Thé mis t i us a u Tra i té du

Ci el son at t e ntion a é t é vive m e n t a tt iré e pa r la dis c us sion
e n t r e l a ut e ur e t Al e x a nd r e d Ap h ro d is i as a u suj e t d e la
’ '

suc c ion d e l e a u par le s ve n t ous e s e t le s va s e s é c h a uff és ;

’

ä son tour il a r e pris e n gr and dét ail c e t t e d is c us sion

,
.
2

En e x pos a nt l un e d e s e x péri e n c e s don t pa rl e Thé m is t i us

’

Ave rro es y introd uit u ne modifi c at ion il su p pos e que l on ’

m e tt e une c h a nd e lle d a ns un vas e qu on e n bou c he a us s it ö t ,

’

l o rifi c e e t qu on e nl ev e le c ouv e r c l e a pré s a voir p longé

’ ’

d a ns l e au le c o l du va s e Ce tt e modifi c ation ne s e x pli

’

.
’

—e ll e i sous y ux l
’

q u e r a i t p a s p ar c e c q u A v e rr o é s a l es e e

t r a it é d e P hilo n d e Byza nc e e t q ue d e s e x pé ri e nc e s qui y ,

s on t dé c rit e s il c on fo n d la s e c ond e a v e c l a pr e mi er e
,

Ave rro es pr e nd par t i po u r Al e x andr e c ontr e Th émis t i us

qui dit i i a détruit les r a isons d Ale xand re s a ns r i e n di re
,
-
,
’

qui a it tr ait a la qu e stion (et n i hi l di ci t i n hoc) Pour nous ,

n ous dirons q ue l a c a us e e s t i c i m a ni fe st e e t t out e pro c h a in e

ä qui pr e nd la pe in e d e r éfléc hi r e t l on s é t o nne d e l igno ’ ’ ’

r a n c e d e c es homm es pro fonds a c e suj e t .

En e ffe t un e p a r t i e d e l a ir a ya nt é t é c h a ngé e e n l a
‘ ’

, ,

n atur e du fe u s e m e ut ve rs le h a ut alors e ll e es t sui vi e p ar

, ,

le c orp s q ui s e t rouv e a u d e ssous q ue c e soit d e l ai r ou d e

’
-
,

l ea u
’

Au mom e nt o ü l on me t d ans l e au l o rific e du v as e ’ ’ ’

Ch n t pl ure n o u s d i t l e di c ti o nn ai r e d L i tt é s o rt d n to n
’
a e e , e r , e e

n o i q u i a u n l o ng t u y a u p e c é d e tr o u s
r o u f i o ul l ers li q ui d s r er e
p a r e c

d a n s un t o nn e a u s a n s l s tr o u b l e r p ar c e n m 0
’
Il e s t c la ir q u e . e, o ,
11

a v o ul u d és i gn e i c i u n i n s tr u m e n t p ro p e ä é p é t e l e p é ri e n
’
r que r r r x ce

P h il o n éa li sa i t a v e c un oe uf m é t alli que p o u w d u n g o ul t
’
r t r r e e

p e c é d a n s l e f o n d d e p t i t s tr o us
r , , e .

2
AV E RR O IS C O RD U B E N S IS I n l i br os A r i stoteli s de ( 3a 0 co mme nta r i a
mag n a l i b I V , .
, su mm a 1 1 r, cap . v , co m m 39 d i gr e ss i o
.
, .
 L H ORREUR D U
’
V I DE 2 45

ce tt e pa rti e igné e s élé v e v e rs l a p arti e su p éri e ur e du v as e

’

l e v a s e n e st p l u s r e m pli ; c e st p ourq u oi l e a u s u it d an s
’ ’ ’

l e s p ac e vid e Un j our j ai brisé un v as e que j a v ai s

’ ’ ’
.
,

a insi p l ac é sur l e a u e t j a i trouvé d e l e a u a tt ac hé e a u x

’ ’ ’

p a rois du v a s e C e st a u ssi l a c a us e
. d e c e qui a dvi
’
e nt d a ns
l e s ve ntous e s o u l on m e t du fe u e t c e st l a p r e mi er e c aus e
’ ’

d e l a s c e nsion d e l e a u
’ ’

I l y a u ne s e c ond e c a us e que donn e Al e x andr e A pr es .

q u e l a p a rti e igné e d e l a ir a ur a été ét e int e l a ir se r e f roidir a

’

,
’

il o c c u pe r a moins d e pl ac e e t il a tt ire r a l e au p ar la néc es sit e ,

’

q u il n y ai t p as d e vid e (de n ecessi ta te

’ ’

Il s e mbl e qu e c e tt e e x pli c a tio n donné e par Av e rro es doiv e

b e au c ou p a P h ilo n .

II . L IMP OSSI B I LIT E

’
DU V I DE ET L
’
EX P ERI E NCE ( s ui te ) .

TRA IT E De i n a ni
’
L IN PLU E NOE DU ct va cu o s ua LA

S CO LA STI Q UE OH R ET I E NNE

I nstruit e p a r les Ar a b e s d e s e x p é ri e n c e s p ro pre s ä démon t r e r

l im po s s i b il i t é du vid e l a S c ol astiqu e l atin e s e st viv e m e nt
’ ’

int ér e ssé e ä g e n re d e pr e uve s Nous nous pro posons

ce .

d e x am i ne r so mm a ir e m e nt c omm e n t e ll e le s a connu e s e t
’

p ar qu e ll e s r é fl e x i o ns e ll e e n a f é c ondé l e nse i n e m e nt
g
’
.

Il y a ur a i nt ér é t c omm e o n le v e rr a tout ä l h e u r e ä n e
’

, ,

p as suivr e l o r d re c hronologiqu e p our e x p os e r l h i s t o i re d e

’ ’

ce c h a p itr e d e Physiqu e e x p érim e nt al e Nous pl a 9an t .

d e mblé e a u mili e u du x 1v s 1e c le no us a llons r a pp or t e r to u t

’
°
, ,

d ab or d c e qu e n ont dit J e a n Buri d an e t son dis c i pl e

’ ’

Marsil e d Ingh e n
’
.

J e an B uri d an affi rme l a v al e ur d e c e s démonstr ations

e x p érim e nt a l e s

E n Physiqu e ( I n s ci e nti a n a tural i ) dit —il il f aut a c c o r , ,

I

d e r c omm e un p ri n c i p e tout e p ro p osi t ion univ e rs e ll e q ui

p e ut etr e p rouvé e p a r ind uc tion e x p é rim e nt al e e t c e l a ,

d e l a mani é re suiv a nt e : En p l usi e urs c as p ar ti c uli e rs d e

c e tt e p ro p osition on trouv e m a ni fe st e m e n t qu il e n e s t
’

j am ai s e n a u c un c as p arti c uli e r il n ap para i t

’
a 1ns r e t , , ,

J O H A N N I S B U R D A N I S u bti l i i m qu sti on e s uper octo phy si corum

I ss e e s

li b os l i b I V q ua e st v ii f o l l xx i i i c o l e
r , .
, .
, .
, . .
 A r is t o t e dit fo r t bi e n
D b
a ille urs u
j
’ ’
d o b e c t io n .
q ue e a

c ou p d e rin c i pe s doiv e n t etr e r e cus e t c onnus p ar l e

p
s e ns la m é mo i re e t l e Xp érie nc e ; ja m ais il ne nous a é t é
,
’

os
p ‘ s ibl e d e s a voir q u e t out fe u e s t c h a u d .

Or pa r u ne s e mbl a bl e i n du c tion e x p é ri m e n t a l e il nous

, ,

a pp a ra i t q u a u c u n li e u n e st vid e P a r t o ut e n e ffe t nous

’ ’
.
, ,

r e n c on t rons q ue lque c o r ps n a tur e l soit l a ir soi t l e a u soi t ,

’

,
’

q u e l q u a u t r e subst
’
a n c e E n o u t r e no u s c ons t a tons .
p a r ,

l e x p éri e nc e q ue nous n e pouvons sé pa r e r u n c o rps d un

’ ’

a u t r e ä moins q u un t roisi em e c o r p s n i nt e r v i e n n e Aus s i

’ ’
.
,

si tous le s tro us d u n s o u ffle t ét a i e n t si p ar fa i t e m e n t bo uc hés

’

q u e l a ir n
’

y p u t p énétr’
e r no u s n e p o u rr ions j a m a is sé p a re r
,

l un e d e l a ut r e le s d e ux parois d u s o uffle t e t vi ngt c h e va ux

’ ’

don t dix tir e r a i e n t d un c ö t é e t dix d e l a utr e n e l e p o ur r ai e n t

’ ’

f a i re d a v a nt a g e ; j a m a is l e s d e ux p a rois du s o uffle t ne s e
sé pa r e r a i e nt l un e d e l a utr e ä moin s qu un e r uptu re ou u ne
’ ’ ’

p e r f or a tion n e p e r m it ä qu e lqu e c or s d e s e gliss e r e n t r e

p
e ll e s Ave o u n c h a l u m e a u don t vous m e tt e z une p oin t e
.

d a ns du vin e t l au t r e d a ns votr e bou c h e e n as pir a nt l air

’

,
’

q ue c onti e n t l e c h a lum e a u vo u s a tti r e z le vin vo u s l e f or c e z , ,

ä mont e r e nc or e qu il soit gr a ve ; il faut e n e ffe t que c e t

,
’

, ,

a i r q ue vous a s p ir e z soi t i mm édi a t e m e nt suivi d e qu e l

q u a u t re c o r ps ah n qu il n y a i t p a s d e vid e Il y a a insi
’ ’ ’

, .

u n e f o u l e d a ut re s e x p éri e n c e s m a thé m atiqu e s

’
.

No u s d e vons d o ne a c c ord e r q u e le vid e n e p e ut n a tur e ll e

m e nt e xist e r ä titr e d e vé rité c on n u e p ar c e moye n q ui
s uffi t a p os e r e t c on c éd e r l e s p r i n c i p e s e n Physiqu e P ar .

c e tt e indu c tion il e s t a e q u is qu il n y a pas d e vide ’ ’

Touj ours e n e ffe t nous voyons l e s c or p s n a tur e ls s e s u ivr e

,

, ,

e n d e m e ur a nt c ontig us l e s uns a u x a utr e s e n t r e e u x il n e ,

s e f orm e a u c un e s p a c e dé p ourvu d e tout c or p s n a tur e l d a i r

’

ou d e au ou d e q ue l qu a ut re subst a n c e d e c e g e nr e
’ ’
.
’

Da ns son A brege de P hys i que Mars il e d Ingh e n nous fai t

' ' ’

e nt e ndr e un é c ho fi d é l e d e l e nse ig ne m e nt d e B urid e n

’
.

Le vid e dit il n e p e ut e xi s t e r n atur e ll e m e nt ;

, ,
on le
p rouv e : E n Physiqu e ( i n p h i l o s o
p h i a n a tu r a l i ) 0 11 doi t ,

a c c ord e r c omm e un p rin c i p e ce q ui p e u t é t r e p r o u vé p a r

indu c tion e x p érim e nt a l e or d e c e tt e m a ni er e on p e ut ,

p rouv e r
p a r indu c tion e x p érim e nt a l e q u e l e vid e n e xi s t e
’

pas ; d o ne e t c La m a j e ur e e s t c onnu e c ar l a Physiqu e

.
,

e s t f ondé e sur l e x p éri e nce (P hi l os ophi a n a tu ra li s f u nd a tu r

’

MA R S I LI I I N GU E N A bbre vi a ti on es l i br i p hy s i cor um f o l , . s ign . e,

col . d .
2 48 R OG E R BA CON

faut p as
d ava nt age p our nous a m e ne r ä pe ns e r que c e
’
n en

traité ét ait une tr a du c tion ou u ne ad apt ation du livr e d e

Phil o n .

L
’
e xi s t e nc e d un e tra duc tion l a tin e
’
t e xt e ,
fa it e d apr es
’
un

a r ab e d e s P neu ma ti ques d e P h i l on n a d a ille urs r i e n

’ ’

, , ,

d hy po th ét i que En 1 8 7 0 V a l e ntin Ros e a dé c o u v e rt e t

’
.
,

p ublié u n e t e il e tr a du c tion intitulé e Li ber P hi loni s de ,

i ngeni i s spi ri tuali bus ; c e st m é m e d e la sort e q ue l e s his

’

t o ri e ns mod e rn e s ont tout d ab ord c onnu l oe uvre d e ’ ’

, ,

P h ilo n .

Il se p ourr a it , d
’
aill e urs , q ue l e Tr acta tu s d e i nani e t va cu o

dont Mars il e d Ingh e n nous a parlé n e füt p as c e tt e t ra duc

’

tion méme d e Phil o n d e Byza nc e m a is qu e lqu e t rait é co m ,

o

p osé sous
,
l i n s p i ra t i o n du’
livr e d e P hi l o n p a r un a ut e ur ,

a r ab e Ce rt a in t e xt e nous donn e r a o cc asion plus loin

.
, ,

d e r e p r e ndr e c e tt e qu e stion e t d e lui donn e r une r é p ons e

p rob abl e .

Maint e n ant q ue nous a vons c onst até a ux m ains d es

S c ol astiqu es p arisi e ns dura nt la s e c ond e moitié du XIV ,
°

si ec l e l e xist e nc e d un Tr actatus d e i n a ni et vacuo di re c t e

,
’ ’

m e nt ou indire c t e m e nt e m p runté a Phil o n d e Byzanc e nous ,

somm e s c onduits a r e c he r c h e r le t e m ps o ü c e s d emonstr a

tions e x p érim e nt al e s d e l i mp os sib ilit é du vid e fur e nt tout ’

d ab o rd c onnu e s p a r l e s p hysi c i e ns d e l a Chr éti e nté l a tin e

’
.
,

Q u e ll e s l a i e nt ét é p e nd a nt tout e l a duré e d u KIV si ec l e

’ ’
e
,

nous n e n s aurions dout e r

’
.

No u s v e rrons e n e ffe t q ue bi e n a va nt Mars il e d Ingh e n

’

, , ,

on invoqu ait le s e x p éri e n ce s que c e t a ut e u r déc l ar e e rn

p r u n t é e s a u Tr acta tus d e i na ni et va cu o Da ns un mom e nt .
,

nous e nt e ndrons J e an d e J andun décrir e que lqu e s un e s d e -

c es e x p éri e n c e s J e an le Ch anoine e n fe ra a ut ant e t e n

.
,

rti uli r m h nd ll
’ ’

p a c e n o e tt r,a p as l e X p é ri e n ce d e l a c a e e .

V A LE N TI N R OS E A n ec dota g r ae ca et g r ae co la ti n a v o l i i p p 2 99
,
-
, .
, .

31 3 . B e r o lini 1 8 7 0 R é im p ri m é d a n s H E RO N I S A LE XA N D RI N I Op er a
, .

qu a e s upe rs un t omn i a , e d . W . S c h mi d t ,
v ol . i , p p 4 5 8— 8 9
. .
 L HORREUR DU
’
V IDE 2 49

A c ell e c i on pe ut re c o nnait re
-
, un e a llusion d ans le p ass ag e
suivant d e Ni c ol as B on e t
V oi c i e n c or e un suj e t d e dout e P e ut o n a voir l e vid e -

n a tur e ll e m e nt La p r odu c tion du vid e p ar l a n atur e est

e ll e im p ossibl e On di t c ommuném e nt qu e ll e e st im p ossibl e
’

si bi e n que p our qu il n y ait pas d e vid e d a ns l a n ature un

,
’ ’

gr a ve m ont e e t un c o rp s lég e r d e s c e nd on l e voit p ar l e a u

,
’

qui mont e d a ns un vas e a pr es que l air y a été tr a ns formé ’

( aere c orr upto) e t a ussi p ar l e a u qui mont e d a ns l a c l e psydr e

’

e t d a ns l a c h a nt e l e u r e (i n cl e se dra et
p p
Comm e Ni c ol as
Walt e r Burl e y r appro c h e B on e t ,
la
c l e p sydr e d e l a c h a nt e l e ur e ; il nou s donn e e n outr e la
p , ,

d e s c ri p tion d e c e s instrum e n t s :
‘
Le s ec ond sign e par l e qu e l on prouvait q ue l air e st ’

q ue lqu e c hos e c e st dit il l e suiva nt : On pr e n ait un

,
’

,
-
,
2

c e rt ain instrum e nt ou v as e l on l it l e psydr e ou

’

q ue a pp e a c
c h a nt e p l e ur e c e v a s e a p lusi e urs trous l un d e c e s trous
3 ’

e s t e n h a ut e t l a utr e e n b as Si c e v as e e st r e m pli d e au
’ ’
.

e t si l o ri fi c e su éri e ur e s t bou c hé d e t e ll e sort e q ue l a ir n e

’ ’

p ,

p u iss e e ntr e r d a uc une ma ni é re on p e ut ouvrir l ori fi ce

’ ’

in féri e ur s a ns q ue l e au s éc o ule p ar c e t o ri fic e ouve rt au ’ ’

b a s du v a s e Mais si l on ouvre l ori fi ce su p éri e ur l e a u

’ ’ ’
.
,
’
s é c o ul e
p a r l e trou ou p a r l e s trous in f éri e urs e t l on voit ’

a lors q ue l a ir e ntr e p a r l or ifi c e su p éri e ur P ar suit e don e

’ ’
.
, ,

d e l a r e ntré e d e l a ir l e a u s éc o ul e ; a u p a r a v a nt e ll e ne
’ ’ ’

, ,

p ouv a it s é c o ul e r p a r c e q ue l a ir n e p ouv a it e ntr e r ; il

’ ’

a p p arai t
p a r la , q u e l a ir e s t qu e lqu e
, c hos e c a r il f a ut’

q u e l a ,

c a us e d e c e t é c oul e m e nt soit qu e lqu e c hos e

’
.

B url e y done d e ux instrum e nts p ro pr e s ä faire

c o nn ai t

l e x p éri e nc e dont il pa rl e ; l un p rés e nt e d a ns l e b as un

’ ’

, ,

s e ul ori fic e e t l autr e e n p ort e plusi e urs Or Philo n e m ploi e

’
.

su c c e ssive m e nt c es d e ux sort e s d e v a s e s le pre mi e r lui s e rt

ä montr e r qu e l a ir e st un c or ps l e s e c ond ä ré alis e r l e x
’ ’
!

p éri e nc e que Burl e y vi e nt d e dé c ri re .

N I CO LA I B O N E TI P hy s i ca l i b V c a p i v Bi b l i o t h eq ue N a t i o n al e , .
, .
,

f n d l ti n M S n 6 6 7 8 fol 1 5
o s a , .M S n 6 32 fo l 1 1 8 c o l d
°
, . 1 r
°
.
°
1 1 , .
, . .

B U R L E U S uper octo li bros phy i co um

s lib I V t rac t 1 1 c a p i s r .
,
.
, .
,

ed . V e n e t ii s , 1 49 1 , fo l . si gn . 11 2 , c o ] . a .

3 ’
L é d i t i on ci t ée por e : t ta n tap hor a , au li e u d e c a nta plora .
259 R OG ER B A CON

B url e y po u v a it bi e n m pr unt e r a u c om me nt a ir e d Ave r

’

r o é s l e s mots c l e psydr ee t c h a nt e pl e ur e m a is la d es c ri ption

d e c e s inst r um e nts n e s y trouv ait p a s il e st prob able q ue
’

dire c t e m e nt ou indire c t e m e nt B url e y la t e n ait du Tr a ctatus ,

d e i n a ni et va cuo .

Le s p hysi c i e ns d e l a p re mrere m oitié

du XIV sre c le ont d o ne e

c onnu l e Tr a cta tus d e i n a n i e t va cuo R e montons pl us h aut .

d a ns le passé nous pourrons c royons nous dé c e l e r la ,

-
,

p rés e n ce d e c e livr e a ux m a ins d Alb e r t le Gr a nd

’
.

V oi c i un p ass a g e d e la P hys i que d Alb e rt ’

On p ro u v e q ue l a ir e s t un c or ps e t non p oint ri e n du tout

’

e n s e s e rva n t d o ut r e s p our l e dé m ontr e r O n montr e a ussi

’

l a f or c e d e l a ir d a ns l e s c l e psyd re s qui son t d e s instrum e n t s

’

qui r a viss e nt f ur a nti a) l e a u c ar cl eps e s t un mot gre e ’ '

q u i s i g n ifi e l a rc in e t y d r os s i g nifi e e a u C e t instru m e nt e s t .

é t roit p ar l e h a ut il p ort e un c o l t e rminé p ar un p e tit ori fic e

q u e l on p e ut bou c h e r a v e c l e d oigt l arg e
’

p a r l e b a s il e s t _
, ,

e t l e f ond e n e s t r é b u ou t ro s A r s q on ’

p e c d e e a c p d e u p e u .

l a plongé d a ns l e a u si l on bou c h e l o r i fi c e su p éri e ur l e a u

’ ’ ’ ’ ’

, ,

n e c o u l e p as p ar l e b as Ce s g e ns dis a i e nt q u e c e l a provi e nt
.

d e la f or c e d e l a i r qui r e ti e nt l e a u Ma is ils s e t r o rnp ai e nt

’ ’
. .

S il e s t vr a i d e dire e n e ffe t que l a ir es t q ue lqu e c hos e c e

’

, ,
’

n e s t pas c e p e nd a nt ä c a us e d e l a for c e d e l a ir que l e a u

’

, ,
’ ’

d e m e ur é immobil e d ans le va s e c e st pa r c e que ri e n n est ’ ’

vide Il fa u t d on e que l e s sur fac e s d es c or ps soi e nt c onj oin t e s

.

l e s un e s a ux a ut re s p a rt a nt l e a u ne s e sé pa r e a u c un e m e n t
’

d e l a sur fac e d e l a ir [qui r e st e a l a pa rti e su p éri e ur e du v a s e ]

’

ä moins que c e t ai r ne la puiss e suivr e d ans s a c hut e e t qu u n ’

a u t re air n e
p uiss e su c c éd e r ä c e lui c es t c e qui a li e u
’

lorsqu e l o rifi c e su p éri e ur e st débou c hé C e st l un d es

’

.
’ ’

p rin c i p e s dont s e s e rv e nt l e s ing e nre urs ; p ar c e p rin c i p e e n ,

e ffe t on c ombin e une m ul titud e d e v as es e t d e si p hons (Et

,

hoc es t u num pri n ci pi oru m quo utuntur qui f aci u nt i ngeni a

fl u n t e n i m m u l ta va sa et syphon es
per i llud pri n ci pi um) Aussi ,

c e ux qui v e ul e nt l e v e r un gr a nd oids v un e tit i n s t ru

p a e c p
m e nt r e nd e nt ils tout d ab ord insé par abl e s l es sur fac es du
-
,
’

A L B E RTI MA G N I Li ber phy s i cor u m l i b I V , .

,
t ra c t . 1 r , c ap . i : Q uo d

p h ys i c i e st t ra c t a r e d e v a c uo e t q u ib u s r a t i o n i b us p ro b a t u m
r v ac uu

e ss e , e t q u ib u s non e sse , ab a n t i q ui s et i ll i q u i d i c e b a n t v a c u u m
n o n e s s e c o n t ra d i c e b a n t a d p r ob l e m a t a .
2 52 R O G E R B A CO N

f ai r e au Tra i té du Ci el d l e c on du ’
Aris t o t e ; ap r es la V rrI e

trois i e m e livr e il a vait l aissé tomb e r l a plu me Son fidéle

,
.

é lé ve Pi e rr e d Auv e rg n e t e rmin a c e c omm e nt a ir e C e st d a ns

’ ’

l a ddition d e Pi e rr e d Auve rgne qu e nous trouvons c e qui suit

’ ’

Q u e l on p r e nn’
e u n v a s e c r e u x dont l o r i fi c e soi t p lus
’

étroit q ue le f ond qu on y introd uis e u ne c h ande ll e al lumé e ’

o u bi e n e n c or e q u on e n c h a u ffe fort e m e nt l e fond p uis qu on

’ ’

l e r e nve rs e d e t e ll e fa c on q u e l o ri fi ce e n soit p longé d a ns

’

l e au l e au e s t a tti r é e v e rs le h a ut hors d e son li e u n atur e l

’ ’

,
.

Au c ontr a i r e si l e v as e ét a it a p pliqué d e la m éme m ani er e

,

a d e l a t e rr e l a t e rr e n e s élé v e ra i t p as
’
.
,

La c a us e du pr e m i e r e ffe t p e u t etr e l a suiv a nt e : P ar l a

c h al e u r d e l a c h a nd e ll e o u e n c or e l a c h al e ur du v as e e mbr asé ,

l a ir qui s e trouve d a ns c e v as e e st rar éfié e t tr a ns formé e n

’

f e u ; tr a ns formé e n fe u e t mü v e rs le f o n d du v as e il s e ,

c ontr a c t e e n un moindr e vol u m e e t c e l a p our d e ux r a isons

’

, ,

dont nous pass e rons le tr es illogiqu e dé t a il .

Un sign e d e c e tt e c o n de ns at ion d e l air pe u t é t re le ’

suiva nt Si l on b ris e l e v as e dis p osé c omm e il vi e n t d etr e

’ ’

dit on trouv e r a d e l e au au fond Av e rro es dit qu il e n a

,
’ ’

pa r fois trouvé .

Or l a ir ét a nt c om p rimé d a ns u n m oindr e vol um e l e a u

’ ’

s e m e ut e n m em e t e m s v e rs l e h a ut e n suiv a nt l a sur fac e

p ,

d e l a ir qui a a v e c l e a u u ne r e ss e m bl a n c e n atur e ll e e t afin

’ ’

qu il ne s i nt e rp os e a u c u n vi d e il mont e un volum e d e au
’ ’

,
’

ég a l a u volum e dont l air e st c om primé ’

.

Si al o r s p ar l e xt éri e ur on é c h auffe l e fond du v as e

‘

,
’

, ,

l e au r e d e s c e nd ä son li e u n atur e l p ar l a c h al e ur e n e ffe t

’

, ,

l a ir qui a va it été c ond e nsé d a ns le fond du vas e s e rar éfie

’

e t r e vi e nt ä s a dis p osition r mi r ’

p e e e .

R e m arquons que c e tt e e x p éri e nc e t e ll e q ue Pi e rr e ,

d Auve rg ne l a c o mplét e e st t e xtu e ll e m e nt c e ll e qui au

’

, ,

XV I I si ec l e d e v a it donn e r l e p r e mi e r t h e rmomé t r e
°
, Or c e .

com plém e nt ri e n d e c e qu o nt é c rit le s c omm e nt at e urs d Aris

,
’ ’

L i br i de ce la et mun do A R I S TO TE L I S c u m expos i ti one SA N CTI

TH O M E DE A QU I N O , e t c u m a d d i ti on e P E T R1 D E A LV E R N I A Co lo p h o n : .

U e n e t i js m a n d a to
m p t i b us N o b i li s vi r i d omi ni O e ta vi a ni S c o t i
e t su

Ci vi s mo d o e t i e n si s P e r B o n e t um Lo c a t e ll um B e rg o me n s e m
. An n o .

a s a l u t if e r o
p a rt u v i rgin al i n o n a g es i mo qui nt o sup ra mill es i mu m e t
q u a d ri n g e n t e s i m u m Lib I V t e xt c o mm 39 f o l 7 4 0 0 11 c e t d
. .
, . .
, .
,
. .
tot e ne l a p u suggér e r ; Philon au c ontr a ir e ä sa pr e mi er e
’

, ,

e x p éri e n c e a dj oint un e c ontr e é p r e uv e tout e s e mbl abl e

,
-
.

Pi e rr e d Auve rgne poursuit e n c es t e rm e s

’

Q u a nt a l a c a us e p our l a qu e ll e l a t e rr e n e s e r a it p a s

soul e vé e s r l on d rs p 0 5 a 1t le vas e ä son ég a rd c omm e on l a

’ ’

f a rt p our l e a u c e st q ue se s d 1v e rs e s p a r ti e s ont p e u d e
’ ’

c o nt murt é e ntr e e ll e s e n sort e qu e ll e n e st p as b re n c o nt rg ué

’ ’

a la sur face d e l a11 a uss r gr äce a l a p orosité d e se s p ar t re s

’

, ,

ne p e ut e ll e p as b re n e m p é c h e r l e nt r ée d e l a rr e xt érre ur
’ ’
-
.

Mars s rl arrrv a1t q ue l a t e rr e ä l a qu e ll e l e vas e e s t a ppq ué

’

f üt b re n c o nt rnue e n s e s d 1ve rs e s p a rt re s e t q u e ll e ne p e rmit

’

p as l e n t r ée d e l a 1r e xt é rre ur 11 s e ra rt né c e ss ai r e ou b re n
’ ’

q u e l e f e u n e ü t p a s d
’
a c t ro n p our rar é fi e r l a rr p ar e x e m p l e
’ ’

p a r ce qu il s é
’
t e rnd r a rt ou b re n q ue l e v a s e s e b r rs ät ou b re n
’

, ,

q u e l’
on a d m it l e x rs t e n ce du v rd e ou b re n
’

q u e l a t e rr e füt ,

soul e vée e t le plus rars o nnable c e st d e pe ns e r que c e de rn i e r ,

’

e ffe t se p r o d u rra rt c ar c e st c e lu i q u 1 c orr e s p o n d a l a m o rnd re

’

1nc l rn at ro n e n s e ns c ontr a rr e
’
.

Alb e rt le Gr and a vai t fait une sim pl e allusion a c e tt e

p e nsé e : L es c or p s d a ns l a n a tur e s e s u iv e nt, touj ours d e ,

t e i le sort e q u il n y a i t a u c un vid e e ntr e e ux Ce tt e pe nsé e s e

’ ’
.

r e trouve d ans l e xpos i t io n d e Pi e rr e d Auve rg ne e t sous

’ ’

une f orm e o u no us r e c onn a issons le s idé e s que pro fe ss a it

P hi lo n d e B yzanc e tou c h a nt l a ffinit é e ntr e l a ir e t l e au

’ ’ ’
.

Ce tt e pe nsée sim pl e m e nt dév e lo pp é e v a d e v e nir une d e s

, ,

do c trin e s fa vorit es d e Rog e r B ac on .

II I . LA NAT U RE V E RSELLE ET LA F UITE D U V I DE U NI

S ELO N R O G E R B ACO N

A ppliquons nous ä s uivre le dév e lo ppe m e nt d e c e tt e pe nsée

-

a u c ours d e s div e rs ouv r a g e s q ue Rog e r B ac on a c om p osés .

De s d e ux séri e s d e qu e stions sur l a Physiqu e q ue c ons e rv e l e

m a nus c rit d Ami e ns e x a minons d ab o rd l a pr e mi er e Des
’

, ,
’

, .
.

l a pr e mi er e qu e stion r e l a tiv e a u vid e B a con v a p os e r l e

‘
,

p rin c i p e dont il fe r a p a r l a suit e un f réqu e nt us a g e , ,

.

i le s e t pr i ma ques ti ones l i br i phy

R O GE R I B A CO N Q ue s t o n e s n a tu ra

s i c o rum li b i v
, . .
Q u e ri t ur d e v a c uo e s t i g i u r q u e st i o u t t rum
m sit muni c i p a l e d Ami e ns ms 40 6 , fo l 2 2 , c ol b
’

v a c uu . Bi b l . ,
. no . . .
 54 R OG ER B A CON

Il d e m and e si l e vid e e x ist e S elon la m é t hod e d e s s i c

se .

e t n on il c om m e n c e par prés e n t e r q ue lqu e s r a isons e n

,

f a v e u r d e l a ré p ons e q u il a l i n t e nt i o n d e r e j e t e r c e st ä dir e
’ ’ ’
- -
,

d e l a ffi rm at i v e
’
P uis vi e nt un e a rg um e nt ation qui c on c lu t
.

e n s e ns c ontr a ir e

Ri e n d e c e qui po u r l e s c hos e s n atur e ll e s e s t privat ion

, ,

e t déso r d r e ( m ordzn a tzo) n e st né c e ss a i r e e n l a n a tu r e ; or l e

’

vid e e s t c e l a d o ne e t c .

En s e c ond l re u on r e c o n n a rt q u 11 n e x 1s t e p as d an s l a
,

n a tur e c ar d a ns l a n at ur e 11 n e st n e n d o rse ux n e n qu1

,
’ ’

soit e n v arn d o n e e t c .

La m aj e ur e [d e l a pre m re re r a i son e s t é v rd e nt e ] La .

n a tu r e e n e ffe t d é s1re touj ours c e q ui e s t le m e i ll e u r

, ,

p a rt a nt e ll e d é,s rr e l o r d re q u i e s t m e i ll e ur q ue l e déso r dr e
’

p a r c e q u il es t fi n r
’
e t a u n e c a us e L a m rn e u r e e s t aus s r .

é vrd e n t e c ar 11 e s t é c ri t d ans l e t e xt e qu e l e vid e s e r a i t rn fi n r

,

s rl e x 1s t art ; 11 m a n que r a rt d o n e l e p r e m re r t e rm e e t l e
’

d e r n i e r t e rm e e t p a r c onséqu e nt se ra rt s ans ord re ( m or

, ,

L
’
a p p ét i t é prou v e l a n at ur e u niv e rs e ll e c o n
d
’
o r d re q u

t ra i n d r a d o n e l e s c or p s ä s e mo u voir d e t e ll e m a n 1e r e qu a u c u n
’

e s p a c e vid e n e s e produis e e ntr e e u x .

Ce p rin c i p e nous allons voi r B ac on l a ppli que r d es s a

’

s e c ond e qu e stion q ui tr ait e d e l a c l e psydr e , I l v a dit il ,

-
,

c hercher l e s e ns d e c e q u on lit d a ns l e t e xt e : D u n e
’ ’

m ani ére s e mbl a bl e ils démontr a i e nt a l a id e d e s c l e psydr e s

’

, ,

q ue l e v rd e n e x rs t e p as E v rd e m m e n t B a c on a m al lu
0
’ 0

l e t e xt e d Ar i st o t e il l a int e r pr ét é p ar l i nt e rm éd i ai re d e
’ ’ ’

qu e lq ue c o mm e nt arre ä l aid e d e s c l e psydr e s on démontr ait ’

s elon Arist o t e que l a ir ét ait un c or ps non qu e l e vid e

,
’

’
n e xis t a it a
p s .

Il fa ut d r e m arq ue r aj ou t e t il q ue l e mot c le ps
’
ab o r d ,
- -
,

y d re a c omm e d e ux srg n rfi c a t i o ns .

D a ns u n s e ns on a p p e ll e c l e p sydr e u n p e tit trou qu on

’

p e r c e d a ns un tonn e a u a c ö t é du gr a nd trou (l a bond e ) p a r

, ,

l e qu e l on v e r s e l e vin on l e p e r c e a fi n que l es v ap e ur s qui

R O GE R B A C O N ,
Op . land li b . iv Q u e r it ur de c l e pse d ra ; MS .

ort f ol . 2 2 , c ol . c .
2 56 R OG ER B A CON

r e ti e nt l e a u ( secunda
’
i ngredi ens vel subi ntra n s ca u sa es t aer
hujus modi f ora mi na pa rva qui propter sui humi dum huju s , ,

modi aquam d ef ert portat e t reti n et) ,

.

Ce sont l ä l e s c a us e s e ffi c i e nt e s La troisi em e e s t une

‘
.

c a us e fin a l e c e st l o r d re d e s c or ps d e 1 Univ e r s e t l a c o n
’ ’ ’

v e n an c e d e la Mac hin e du Mond e ( ordi na ti o corporu m

u ni ver s i et mundi machi n e conveni e nti a) s a voir : Q u il n y
’ ’

a i t p a s d e vid e qui e s t our l e s hos e s u n e c a us e d e désordr e

p c , , ,

e t d e d e stru c tion c omm e nous le v e rrons p lus b as ,

.

Il e s t évid e nt pa r la q ue ce s trois c a us e s s e réun iss e nt e n

une c a us e uniqu e qu e ll e s n e f ont q u un e s e ul e c a us e s a voir
’ ’

, ,

Ou i l n y a i t pas d e vid e ( ne si t vacuum)

’ ’

Tout gr a ve t e nd v e rs l e b as e t s e m e ut v e rs le b as s il
’

n e st e mp é e h é e t r e t e nu ä c e mouve m e nt ve rs le b as il e s t
’

, ,

c e pe nd a nt d e s c onditions ac ce ssoir e s
, La n atur e e n e ffe t .
, ,

désir e touj ours le m e ill e ur ; or qu un gra v e d e m e ur e immo ’

b il e e n h aut su pporté e t r e t e nu par l ai r il y a a c e l a moins

,
’

, , ,

d inc onvéni e nt qu a l e xis t e nce du vid e qui détruir ait tout

’ ’ ’

l ord r e d e la n a tur e
’

De l a ir e t d e s a utr e s c or ps il y a li e u de parl e r d e d e ux
’

m a ni ér é s différ e nt e s D un e pr e miere mani ére e n t a nt .

’

q u ils
’
sont e n l e urs li e ux n a tur e ls ; e n c e c as l a ir n e p ort e
’

p as l e a u D un e s e c ond e m ani ére e n t a nt q u ils s e trouv e nt

’ ’

.
,

e n d e s li e ux étr a ng e rs ä l e ur n a tur e ; e n c e c as l a ir pe ut
’

sout e nir l e a u qui s e trouve e n un li e u étr ang e r ä s a n atur e

’

e t c e l a a fi n qu n n p lus gr a nd in c onvéni e nt soit évité

’ ’
.

s e r a d e mod e ä pa rtir du xv rr s re c le d e pl ais a nt e r ce tt e

Il ,
°
,

c a us e fin al e invoqué e p a r B a c on a c ö t é d es c a us e s e ffic i e nt e s

m ais Bac on s e c on form ait ici a ux p rin c i pe s e ss e nti e ls du

Péri patétis m e qui d ans la c aus e fin ale voit touj ours la , ,

vérit a ble c a us e .

Il p r e nd d a ille urs s e s préc a utions p our qu on n ail le pas

’ ’ ’

, ,

l acc us e r d e fa ir e du vid e un e c a us e e ffi c i e nt e d att r ibue r a u

’ ’

vid e un p ouvoir d att ire r l e au d ans la c l e psydre A c e tt e ’ ’

.

que stion Le vide e st il une c aus e ? il ré p ond : Le vide -

n e st ri e n il n est p as une n atur e or c e qui e s t c aus e e st

’

,
’

une c e rt a in e n a tur e le vid e n e st d o ne p as une c a us e

’ ’
.

A c e tt e obj e c tion La ve ntous e vid e a ttir e le s a ng e t ,

R O G E RI B A C O N Op . l an d , l ib . iv : Q u e ri t ur sep t i mo u t r urn

v a c uu m sit c a u sa a l i q u a MS . cit .
,
fo ] . 2 3, c o l . c .
 L HORREUR DU
’
V I DE 257

si e ll e n e t ait p as vi de e ll e ne l at tire rai t pas il ré pond e n

,
’

,
’

distingu a nt dive rs e s sort e s d a tt rac t i o ns La pr e mi er e qu il ’

.
’

m e ntionne e st c e ll e p ar l a que ll e l aimant a ttir e le fe r La

’

de rni er e e s t une a ttr a c tion qui s e fait par le vide gräc e ,

ä l e xc i t at io n e t a la dis p osition produit e par la c h al e ur C e st

’
.
’

d e c e tt e m a ni er e qu e l a v e ntous e a ttir e le s a ng ; voil a

p ourquoi on m e t d a ns l e s v e ntous e s d e s étou p e s a rd e nt es

qui y e ng e ndre nt d e la c h al e ur c e tt e c hal e ur éc h a uffe l a ir ’

e t a ttir e l e liquid e p our s e c ons e rve r ; c ar l e liquid e e s t

l a li me nt d e la c h a l e ur
’
.

Il e s t d o ne évid e nt q u une a ttr a c tion ne s e produit j a m ais

’

p a r l e v rd e s e ul e t e n t a nt q u e t e l m a is p a r q u e l q u a u t re ,
’

c a us e SI l e a u e s t a t trr ée e t r e t e nu e d a ns l a c l e p sydr e
’
.

t an d rs que l e d o rgt e st p osé sur l orifi c e c e l a n e s e fart pa s p ar

’

le vrd e m ars par l a n a ture m ém e e t l o rd r e d e s c or p s c e st ä

’ ’
-
,

d rre d e l e a u e t d e l arr a fin q u e le vid e ne s urvre nn e p as c ar

’ ’

, ,

3 1 c e v rd e s e pro d urs art rl s e r a it our e u x u n e c a us e d e

p ,

désordre e t d e d e st ruc t ro n .
’

Da ns hé m
vid e n e st p as c aus e e ffic i e nt e
é d l
’
ce p n o n e o n e e , ,

le s ca us e s e ffi c i e nt e s c e sont l e s c or ps e n prés e n c e l a ir e t
’

, ,

l e au Il n e st p as da va nt ag e c aus e fin ale l a c a us e fin al e
’
.
’

c e st l o rd r e e t l a c ons e rva tion d es c or ps n a tur e ls ; c e st

’ ’ ’

ä c e t ordre que t e nd l a n atur e e t le s c or ps s e m e uve nt ou

d e m e ur e nt immob il e s d e t e ll e mani ére que c e t ordr e soit
s auve g ardé duss e nt ils p our c e l a a ll e r ä l e n co ntre d e s lois
,
-
, ,
’

qui ré gle nt le urs mouve m e nts e t r e pos n atur e ls .

Te i le e s t l a do c trin e q ue B ac on f ormul e a ve c un e e n t i ére

n e tt e té des l a pre mi ere séri e d e s e s qu e stions s ur la Physique .

Ce tt e do c trin e nous l all o ns r e trouve r d a ns la s e c ond e

’

séri e d e s que stions sur la Physique nous l y r e trouve rons ’

p lus déve lo p p é e m a is a ussi plus c on fus e

,
.

D a ns c e s nouv e ll e s qu e stions e n e ffe t B a c on e x p os e , ,

l e t u de e x p érim e nt a l e du vid e suiv a nt un ordre qui es t

c on f orm e a l a méthod e au s i c e t n on e t a ux pro c édés d e

discussions c h ic ani ére s de la S c ol astique m ais qui dérout e ,

s i ngul re re m e nt nos h abitud e s .

16 8 9 3
25 8 R OG ER BA CON

s agit d e prés e nt e r un e e x p éri e n c e o ü le mouve m e nt

Il
’

n atur el annon c é par la Physiqu e d Arist ot e ne se produit

,
’

p a s e,
t o i1 p a r c e r e,p os im p révu l a f orm a tion du vid e e s t ,

e m pé c h é e V oi c i ä pe u pr es c omm e nt proc é de B ac on :
.
, ,

Il a nnon c e l e xp éri e nc e c omm e un moy e n d e fair e l e vid e

’

il l a déc rit c omm e si le mouve m e nt n atur e l annon c é p ar l a ,

Physiqu e p éri pat éti c i e nne se produis a it e n ré alité e n , ,

train a nt la form ation d un e s pac e vid e ’

Puis il énumére les dive rs e s a utr e s manre re s dont 0 11

p ourr a it im a gin e r q ue l e s c hos e s s e
p a ss a ss e nt e t il a rgum e nt e

p our ou c ontr e c e s div e rs e s m a niér é s touj ours s a ns j e t e r le ,

moindr e r e g ard sur l a ré alité .

Alors s e ul e m e nt il prés e nt e a titr e d e solution du déb at , ,

l e Xpéri e nc e t e ll e qu e ll e s e m a ni fe st e a ux s e ns e t il l e x pli que

’ ’ ’

p a r l ac t i
’
o n q u e l a n a tur e univ e rs e ll e e x e r c e a h n qu il n y
’ ’

a i t p as d e vid e .

C e st d o ne au tr a v e rs d e c e s dém a r c h e s c om pliqué e s qu il
’ ’

n ous faut suivr e l a p e nsé e d e B ac on .

L étrange t é d e c e s dém ar c h e s se m a ni fe st e d e p rim e a bord

’
.

N otr e aut e ur a dv e rs a ir e dét e rminé du vi d e a nnon c e son

, ,

é tud e e x p ér i m e nt a l e e n c e s t e rm e s p e u pro pr e s assurém e nt ,

‘
, ,

ä nous e n fa ir e d e vi n e r l a c on c lusion A pr es a voir démontré

p a r d e s r a isonn e m e nts qu il fa ut a dm e ttr e l e vid e on montr e
’

é g al e m e nt p ar d e s e x e m pl e s e t d e s e Xp éri e nc es qu il fa ut
’

, ,

a dm e ttr e l e vid e
’
.

B ac on p rése nt e su cc e ssive m e nt c inq e x p éri e nc e s ; al lons

d ab ord a l a c i nqu1e me ; c e st c e ll e qui a été décrit e e t
’ ’

é tudié e d a ns l a pre mre re séri e d es qu e stions sur l a Physiqu e .

La c in qu1e m e e x p éri e n c e e st c e ll e qu Ari st ot e indiqu e d a ns

’
2

l e t e xt e l on r n un v s l in d u qui lusi urs

’ ’

Q ue .
p e n e a e p e e a a p e
t rous d a ns l e b as e t d a ns le h a ut un o rific e bou c hé ,
Tout , .

Q u es ti on es sup ra l i brum phy s i corum

mag i s tr o d i cto B A C UUN a

Os t e ns o p er ra t i o n e s q u o d s i t p o n e r e v a c uu m i t e m p er e x e mpla e t ,

e xp eri me nt a o st e n d i t ur q u o d s i t p on e r e v a c uum M S c i t f ol 4 7 . . .
, . .

c ol . (1 .

MS . ci t .
, fol 4 8 ,
. c o ll . c et d .
2 60 R OG E R B A CON

Solution Je dis qu e n ve rtu d e l ord re d e la n atur e

.
’ ’

unive rs e ll e le s pa rois se r e j oindr ai e nt afi n que le vid e n e s e ,

f i t p oint ( ex ordi n a ti on e n atura e u ni vers a l i s n e fleret

va cuu m) J e dis q ue c e n e st p as pour c e l a une p étition d e
’
.
, ,

p rin c i p e ; c a r d a ns l e s démonstr a tions né c e ss a i re s il f a ut

p ostul e r l e p rin c i p e c e l a n e st p as a bsurd e ( i n

’
co n v e n i e n s ) ,

c ar c e st touj ours a insi q u Ar i s t o t e a rgum e nt e c ontr e Pl a ton

’ ’
.

A l a utr e a rgum e nt je ré p onds qu il n y a p as s e ul e m e nt

’ ’ ’
-
,

l a une nég a tion m a is qu un e c hos e a ffi r mat i v e y e st j oint e

’

, ,

s avoir la dist an c e d e s pa rois e t le s alut d e la n a tur e D és .

lors il e st né ce ss a ir e d ad me tt re que l e au d e m e ur é e n r e p os
,
’ ’

il v a ut mi e ux a dm e ttr e c e l a que d e su p pos e r l e vid e Ahn .

d o ne que l e vid e ne s e f ass e p a s a fi n d e s a u v e r l a dis p osition ,

du vas e e t l o r dre d e la n a tur e unive rs e ll e l e a u d e m e ur é

’

,
’

e n r e p os e t ce n e st p as s e ul e m e nt a fi n q u e l e vid e n e s e
’

f ass e p as c e n e st don e p as u n e p ur e nég a tion

’
.

A l a utr e a rgum e nt je ré ponds B i e n que le vas e soit un

’

c or p s c ontinu e n tout e s se s p a rti e s il e s t c ontr air e ä sa ,

n a tur e p a rti c uli er e q u e s e s

p a rois s e r e j oign e nt P art ant il .
,

n e f a ut p as q u e l e a u to m b e a lors e n e ffe t l a figur e

’

, ,

n a tur e ll e du va s e s e r a it détruit e ou bi e n l e vid e s e p roduir a it ,

e t c e l a s e r a it c ontr a ir e a l a n a tur e univ e rs e ll e il fa ut d o ne

que l e a u d e m e ur é e n r e p os
’

Que l e a u n e d e s c e nd e pa s c e st un a c c id e nt c ontr a ire a

’ ’

l a n a tu re Ce r e p os v a ut don e mi e ux q ue l a d e stru c tion d e

.

l a n atur e ou d un e dis p osition n atur e l l e c e l a va ut m i e ux

’

q ue d a d me t t re le vid e ou la réunion d es parois c ar c es d e ux

’

c hos e s sont p a r e ss e n c e c ontr a ir e s a l a n a tur e ;

, , c e s e r a it
a bsolum e nt c ontr a ir e a l a dis osition e ss e nti e ll e du v a s e il
p
p e ut y a voir d e ux sort e s d e réunions d e s p arois une réunion ,

n ature ll e e t une réunion c ontr e n atur e ; or c e tt e d e rni er e

réunion d e d e ux p a rois e st e ss e nti e ll e m e nt c ontr e n atur e .

Il v a ut d o ne mi e ux q ue l e a u d e m e ur e e n r e p os c e qui n e st
’ ’

q u
’
u n a c c id e nt c ontr a ir e a l a n a tur e q ue s il s e p roduis a it ,
’

u ne c hos e contr e n a tur e qui füt e ss e nti e ll e

’
.

Nous vons r e produit e n e ntie r l a dis c ussion d e c e tt e

a

c i nqui é m e e x p éri e n c e non s e ul e m e nt e n e ffe t l e p rinci pe , ,

d e Physiqu e que B ac on e nt e nd ét a blir y es t tr es c l air e m e nt

e x p osé m a is e n outr e
, nous y trouvons un e x e m pl e tr es
, ,

c a r a c téristiqu e d e l a méthod e u e notr e a ut e ur a c outum e

q
d e suivr e Nous p ourrons m aint e n a nt p arl e r d un e m anre re
’
.

un pe u plus somm air e d es quatr e p r e mi er e s e x p éri e nc es .

 L HORREUR DU V I DE
’
61

La pre mre re d e xp éri e nc e s e st c e ll e ci : Que d e ux

ces e -

disqu es pl ans soi e nt e x ac t e m e nt appliqués l un sur l a utr e ’ ’

e t q u e l on soul ev é brusqu e m e nt l e disqu e su éri e ur l a ir

’ ’

p
n é p o urr a p énétr e r inst a nt a ném e nt au c e ntr e d e l e s p a c e
’

c om p ris e ntr e l e s d e u x disqu e s l e vid e s y produir a d o ne

’

pe nd a nt un mom e nt .

F aisons gräc e au l e c t e ur d e s m ulti pl e s c hi c a n e s a uxqu e ll e s

c e tt e p ro p osition donn e li e u R et e nons en c e pe nd a nt c e tt e .
-

p hr a s e

Comm e si l a p a u m e d e ma m a in tou c h ait la S e in e , ut s i

ma mea
al ta nga t S eca n a m
’

p .

Ell e
nous a p pr e nd e n e ffe t q ue l a qu e stion fut dis c uté e 81
, ,

P aris R e t e nons —e n ég al e m e nt c e p ass ag e qui pré p ar e l a

.
,

solution
D
’
dis e nt que l es disqu e s n e p ourront é tr e so ul e vés
a ut res
s il s g ar de nt l e ur c onfigur ation d e t e ll e m a ni er e que c h a qu e
’

pa rti e [du disqu e su p éri e ur] soit soul e vé e ég al e m e nt Au .

fur e t a m e sur e q ue l e s div e rs e s p a rti e s sont so ul e vé e s ,

l a ir p énétr é d un e m an i ére su c c e ssiv e ; ä l i nst ant mém e

’ ’ ’

o ü u n e p ar ti e e s t so ul e vé e l air p énétr é au d e ssous afin ’

-
, ,

qu il ne s e fass e p oint d e vid e

’
.
’

V oi c i m aint e n a nt la solution que p ro p os e B ac on

Si l es d e ux disqu e s ét a i e nt su p e r posés l un ä l a utr e on ’ ’

n e p ourr a it j a m a is soul e v e r l e disqu e su p éri e ur ä moins d e n

’

inc line r qu e lqu e p arti e Il fa ut d one que qu e lqu e inc lina ison
.

s e fass e a v a nt qu on p uiss e l e soul e v e r ; sinon l e vid e s e

’

p roduir a it e t c e l a p rovi e nt d e l a n a tur e univ e rs e ll e Ils .

rép onde nt d one bi e n c e ux qui r é pond e nt q ue l e disqu e ne

p e ut etr e soul e vé d e l a so r t e .

Ce l a s e voit d a ns l e au d un e m a ni er e évid e nt e
’ ’

, Qu e , .

l on p os e sur l e au un ve rr e ( cyphus) [r e tourné] e t qu on le

’ ’

,
’

s o ul é v e e n g a rd a nt l a m ém e c onfigur a tion s ans l i ncline r ’

d un c ö t é p lus que d e l a utr e ; il n y a p as d homm e au

’ ’ ’ ’

mond e qui le p ourr ait l e ve r ; aussi c omm e il e st m ani ,

f e st e a u s e ns f a ut il p our l e l e v e r l i nc l in e r d ab o r d d un
’ ’ ’
-
, , ,

c e rt ain c öt é Il e n e s t d e m em e d ans l air bi e n qu av e c

.
’

,
’

MS . c it .
,
fo l 47 .
, e ol . a .
262 R OG E R B A CON

l es d e ux disqu e s ce nesoit p as a ussi m ani fe st e au s e ns

q u a v e
’
c l e v e rr e . C e st p ourquoi done il ne
’

, ,
fa ut pas
a dm e ttr e le vid e
’
.

On im e ä fair e d e Roge r B ac on un a de pt e pré c o c e d e la

a

méthod e e xp éri m e nt ale ; d e s pag e s c omm e c elles c i nous -

montre nt ass e z qu il e x p érim e nt ait s e ul e m e nt e n im agina

’

tion Cha c un s ait qu un ve rr e plongé d ans l e a u se l a iss e

.
’ ’

soule ve r s a ns gr a nd e ffort au c ontr a ire l adh ére nc e d e de ux ,

’

disqu e s pl a ns s e p e ut obs e rve r s ans a u c un e d iffi c ul t é Il es t .

c l air q ue notr e a ut e ur n a v a i t t e nté ni l un e ni l a utr e d es d e ux

’ ’ ’

é pre uve s .

La troisi em e e x p éri e nc e s e fa it a u moye n d un v as e

’
1

p a nsu q u e B a c on a pp e ll e u n e m a rmit e ( oll a ) m a is il a j out e

fi e e n es t d e p e tit e dim e nsion ( modi cum oriflci u m)

’

q u e l o r i c .

Q ue l on r e
’
m p liss e d e a u c e v a s e e t qu ’
on l e r e nv e rs e ; si ,
’

l e a u s é c o ul e l es p ac e c ont e nu d a ns l a p ans e de m e ur e r a vid e

’

,
’
.

e p a ss e t i l e n ré a lité u doit d m ur er
’

Q u e s -
L e a p l u t ö t e e

immobil e c omm e l e x p éri e nc e le montr e

,
’
.
’

Ce tt e e x p éri e n c e fa it doubl e e m ploi a v e c c e ll e que B a c on

a v a it dé c rit e e n s a p r e mi er e séri e d e qu e stions e t a l a qu e l l e il

v a donn e r i c i l e c i n qu1e m e r a ng il ne l ignore p as p uisque ’

, ,

p our p ré p a r e r l a ré p ons e q u e nous v e nons d e c it e r il écrit ,

Pr e nons un v as e p er foré dont l e fond p ort e un e foul e d e

p e tits trous e m p lissons l e e t bou c hons l o rifi c e su p éri e ur -
’

rie n ne sortir a p ar les trous inf éri e urs bi e n qu ils n e soi e nt ’

p a s bou c hés c ar l e vid e s e fe r a it a l a

, p a rti e su p éri e ur e du
vas e ; part ant l e a u de m e ur é e n r e p os ; e ll e ne d es c e nd
,
’

p oint ni n e se r a r éfi e ; l e a u d o ne d e m e ur e r a
p ur e m e nt e
’
t
sim pl e m e nt e n r e pos e ll e ne s e ré pa ndr a pas afi n que le ,

vide ne s e p roduis e p as e n ce li e u .
’

La prés e n c ed ans l a dis c ussion de Bacon d e c es d e ux

, ,

e x p éri e n c e s qui sont au fond id e ntiqu e s s e mbl e p ouvoir

, , ,

s e xpli quer p ar l a l e c tur e du tr a ité d e Phil on d e B yzan c e

’

l e xpéri e nc e d e l a m a rmit e s e r ait suggéré e par c e ll e a u

’

moye n de l aqu e ll e Philo n démontr e que l a ir e st un c or ps ’

.

1
MS . cit .
, fol 4 8 ,
. c o] . a .
2 64 R OG E R B A CON

disque s appliqués l un a l a u t re e t q u on ne pe ut sé par e r ’ ’ ’

.

Nous r e trouvons p r e sq ue d a ns l es m em e s t e r me s les c o n

, ,

s i d é ra t i o ns q ue nous a vions d é jä lu e s d a ns l a s e cond e séri e

d e s Questi on s y c om pris c e ll e c i ,
-

Il fa ut di re q ue l on n e pe ut él e ve r l un d es disqu e s ’ ’

a u—d e ssus d e l a u t r e e n l e u r g a rd a n t m é me c onfigur a t ion ;

’

p our q u e l u n d e u x p u iss e
’

é t re so u l e vé a u d
’

e ss u s d e l a utr e -
’

il faut qu on l i nc li ne l air e n t re a insi p e u a pe u Ce l a se

’ ’ ’
.

p e ut f ort a isé m e nt é p rouv e r a u moy e n d un v e rr e plongé

’

d a ns l e a u c a r pou r ri e n a u m ond e (pr o mu ndo) il n e pe ut

’

é t r e l e vé si l on g a rd e m em e c onfig u r a t io n ä s e s p a rti es l a
’

c a us e e n e s t q u e l e a u doit v e nir p e u ä pe u e n o c c u pe r l e
’

li e u C e st lä la c a us e p ositiv e (ajfirmati va ) e n c onséqu e n c e

.
’

d e l a qu e ll e l e vid e s e tro u v e e x c lu
’
.

Da ns l 0 pus majus B ac on d un rlé du vid e

’ ’ ’

p ,
e n a vait a q ue
manre re in c id e nt e ; il e n tr a it e ex prof e ss o a u c ours d e
I Opus te rti u m La nous r e trouvons l e x p éri e nc e du v as e
’ ’

.
,

dont le fond e st c riblé d e p e tits trous ; la a ussi l aut e ur ’

r a p e ll e qu il a p a rlé d a ns 1 O u s ma u s d e l a d h é re nc e d e
’ ’ ’

p p j , ,

d e ux disqu e s e x ac t e m e nt a ppliqués l un c on t r e l a utr e ’ ’

La r a ison d e c e tt e a dhér e n c e c e st q u e d e l a sé pa r ation

’
‘
, ,

d es d e ux p l a qu e s résult e r ait un e dis c ontinuité (di scon

,

ti n u a ti o) d e l a n atur e e t e ntr e les p a rti e s d e 1 Univ e rs dis

’

c ontin u it é ä l a q u e ll e l e vid e s e tro u v e a tt ac hé ( a n nexu m)

Aussi q u un homm e e ss ay e d e soul e v e r l e di squ e su p éri e ur

,
’

e n l e m a int e n a nt p a r al l el e ä l a utr e (a equ al i ter) il n y

’ ’

p a rvi e ndr a j a m a is D a ns l e a u c e l a a pp ar ai t bi e n Si ’

,
.

q u e l q u un p os e
’
sur l e au l a c on c a vit é d un v e rr e e n t e n a nt ’ ’

c e v e r r e p ar l e p i e d il p e ut e x p érim e nt e r qu e n m aint e n a nt
’

la figur e bi e n ég al e d e tous c ö t és il n e pa rvi e ndr a par a ucun e

vi ol e nc e ä l e t ir e r d e l e au ’

.
’

L e x p éri e nc e du v as e pe rf oré donn e ä B acon l o c c as i o n

’ ’

d e x p o s e r s es idé e s sur l a fui t e du vi d e a v e c un e p ré c ision

’

e t un e arn pl e ur qu il n e l e ur a v ai t p as e n c or e ac cordé e s
’
.

R O GE R] B A CO N I S Opu s terti um e d B re w e r ca p , .
, . xliii , pp . 1 5 5- 6 .

2
R O GE RI B A CO N I S Op l a u d ca p x l v , p 1 6 6 . .
, . . .
 L H ORREU R DU
’
V I DE
Ri e n dit il n e mpé c h e l e au d e c o ul e r ni n e le lui
,
-
,
‘ ’ ’

dé fe nd c e st par s a pro pr e n atu r e qu e ll e d e m e ur e e n r e p os

’ ’

bi e n que soul e vé e e n v ue d e la c ontinuit é d e l a n atur e ,

c ommun e ä tous l e s c or p s c ontinuit é qui doit é t re c ons e rvé e ,

e ntr e l e s di v e rs e s p a rti e s d e l Un i v e rs L e a u e n e ffe t e s t

’ ’
.
, ,

un e c e rt a in e n a tur e qui a d e ux sort e s d e r a pp orts

’
L un .

es t l e r a pp ort qu e l l e a a son li e u p ro p r e L a utr e e s t l e

’ ’
.

r app ort qu e ll e a e n v e rt u d e l a c onti n uit é du mili e u (medi i )

’

n atur e l afi n d e g a rd e r c e tt e c ontinuit é a v e c les a utr e s c or ps

,

n a tur e ls Ce l a e ll e n e l e fe r a it p as si e ll e tomb a it c ar l air

.
, ,
’

n e p e ut e ntr e r p a r l o r ifi c e bou c hé Or l e r ap p ort qu a l e au

’ ’ ’
.

ä c e tt e c ontinuité q u il s agit d e s au ve r pr im e le r a p p o r t ’ ’

qu e ll e a a l ég ard d e son li e u pro pre ; le pr e mi e r d e c e s

’ ’

r ap p orts e n e ffe t lui e s t d ü e n t a n t qu e ll e e s t u ne p arti e d e

, ,
’

1 Univ e rs l e s e c ond c e l u i q u i c on c e rn e s o n mouv e m e nt d e

’

d e s c e nt e lui es t s e ul e m e nt d ü e n t a nt qu e ll e es t a p t e ä ét r e
,
’

logé e qu e ll e p e ut é tr e e ntouré e p ar un li e u qui lu i c onvi e nt

,
’

mi e ux qu un a utr e li e u Mais é t re une pa rti e d e l Un iv e rs

’
.
’

c e st u ne p ro p rié t é qui p our l e a u p a ss e a v a n t l a p r o p riét é

’ ’

, ,

d é t r e logé e e t e ntouré e p ar qu e lqu e c hos e q ui lui c o n vi e n n e

’

un e pr o priét é qui l u i e s t p l us e ss e nti e ll e e ll e p e ut e n e ffe t , ,

continu e r d etr e d e l e au lo r s m é m e q u e ll e n e s e rait p as

’ ’ ’

e ntou r é e p a r u n t e l li e u q u i lui c onvi n t m a is e ll e n e p ou r ra it

c onti n u e r d et r e d e l e a u si e ll e n é t a i t p lus u n e p a rti e d e
’ ’ ’

1 Univ e r s Si d o ne l e a u d e m e u re i mm obil e e n l a i r c e n e st
’ ’ ’ ’
.
,

p as d u n e ta gon p r e mi er e e t pro p r e m e n t dit e a fi n q u e l e

’

, ,

vid e n e soit p as (pr opter n ega ti on em va c ui ) c e st afin d e ’

s a uve r l a c ontin u ité d e l a n at u r e d a ns le Mo n d e e t d e c e tt e

c ontinuité l a p riv a tio n du vid e dé c o u l e ä titr e s e c ond a ir e
,
.

Ainsi c e n e st p as u ne n ég at ion q ui e s t ic i c a u s e d un e
’

, ,
’

a ffir ma t i o n m ai s u n e a ffi rm at i o n Qu a c e tt e a ffi rm at i o n
’

.
,

un e nég a tion soit a nn e xé e c e l a n a p as d i n c o n v é n i e n t c a r

’ ’

, ,

tout e a ffi rm at i o n e n t ra i ne a ve c e ll e un e i nfi n it é d e nég a tions

qui lui sont a dj oint e s Ma i s u n e né g a tion ne s a ur a i t d u n e
’

fa c on p r e m i er e e t p rin c i pa l e im p o r t e r u n e a ffi rm a t i o n e ll e ,

n e n pe u t é t re l a c a u s e e ll e e n p e u t s e ul e m e nt a c c o m p agn e r
’

l a c a us e c o m m e il a r riv e i c i
’
.
,

A pr es a voir assisté lis ant l e s d e ux sé r i e s d e Qu esti ons sur ,

en

l a P hys i que e t l 0 pus M ajus a ux t ät o nn e m e nt s e t a ux e ss a is

’

d e l a théori e b ac o n i e nne nous l a c ont e m plons m a int e n a nt , , ,

Ib i d .
, pp . 1 6 5- 6 .

Le t e xt e p ub li é p a r B re wer t
p o r e : s a lva ta e ; un m s p o rt e. :

s al va n d e i l fau t , c ro yons- no us s a l va n da m .
2 66 R OG E R B A CO N

en son pl e in ac hé ve me nt B ac on e n e ffe t ne la pe r fec t ion , ,

n e r a pas d a va n t a g e a u x Commun i a N a tu rali um il formul e r a ,

e n c or e qu e lq ue s pro p osi t ions ut il e s a r e c u e il l ir m ais il ne ,

donn e ra plus d e son s yst eme l e xpo s é dogm atique qu il a ’ '

rés nt é d a ns I Opus te rti u m

’

p e .

No us r e trouvons a ux Commun i a N atura li u m l e x pé rie nc e

’

, ,

d e s d e ux disqu e s a dhér e nts e nfin déb a rr assée d e la fa uss e ‘

,

e x p é r i e n c e d u v e rr e r e nve rsé sur l e a u nous y r e trouvons ’

a ussi l e x p é rie nc e q ue P h il o n d e B yzanc e fa is ait a v e c un

’
‘

v as e a u fond c riblé d e pe t its t rous .

C e s t ä pro pos d e c e t t e d e r ni er e e x p é ri e n c e que sont émis e s

’

le s r é fle x io ns suiv a nt e s

Ce n e s t pas d e ll e m em e q ue la n a t u re pa rt i c uli er e d e
‘ ’ ’
-

l e a u d e m e ure e n l a ir m a is par la for c e d e la n a tur e u nive r

’ ’

s e ll e q ui s a ns c e s s e r e quie r t e t c ons e rv e la c on t in ui t é d e s
, ,

c o r ps n a t u re ls c ontinuité q u e le vid e d isso u t

, On voi t .

d o ne q ue ll e e s t ic i la c a us e e ffi c i e n t e C e st l a n a tur e univ e r
’

s e ll e a l a qu e ll e obéi t la n a t u re pa rt i c uli er e On voi t a us si .

q ue ll e e s t la c a us e fin al e C e s t la c on t inuit é n a tur e ll e d es ’

c or p s d e c e Mond e V oil a l a tf rr mat io n do n t résult e l a ’

.

nég a t io n d u vid e No us ne p osons done pas une nég ation .

c o m m e c a us e d un e a ffi r m a t i o n m a is a u c on t r a ir e
’

Si l on dis a i t q ue l e a u n e d es c e nd p as afi n q ue le vide ne
’ ’

s e p roduis e p a s c e ne s e r a i t p as u n e solution c a r u ne n ég a
, ,

t ion n e pe u t é t re la c a us e d un e a fli rma t i o n I l fa u t di r e ’

q u e l e a u ’

e s t r e t e nu e e n l a ir
p ar l a loi d e l a n a tur e univ e rs e ll e
’

a fi n qu il y a i t c o nt in ui té e ntr e l e s c or s d e l a n a tur e d
’

e
p
c e tt e c ontinuité l e xc l us i o n d u vid e dé c oul e a t itr e s e c ond a ir e
’
.
,

C e st d o n e un e a fii rm a t i o n s a voir l a c ontinui t é qui es t c a us e

’

, ,

d un e affirm at i o n s a voir le r e pos d e l e a u d a ns le v as e

’

,
’
.
’

La do c t r in e dont nous a vons suivi l e dév e lo p pe m e nt a u

t ra ve rs d e s é c rits d e Rog e r B ac on s e mbl e bi e n lui a pp art e ni r
e n p ro pr e A p e in e c royons nous e n a v ait —il trouvé c h e z
.
,
-
,

ses p rédé c es s e urs un g e rm e p r e squ e i nfi m e Al b e rt l e Gr and ,

ré p ét a nt le pro pos d e Phil o n d e Byzanc e ,s e t ai t borné a dir e ,

Ope r a hac te n u s i n e di ta R O G E RI B A C O N I f a s c ii i , . . L i be r pri mus

co mm u n i u m n a tur a l i u m F RA T RI S R O GE RI , p ar s I I I , di s t . ii , ca p . vi ,

éd . S t e ele , pp . 2 2 1 —3 .

R O GE R B ACO N ,
l oc . cit .
, pp . 2 1 9— 2 0 et p . 2 24 .
2 68 R OG E R B A CON

p uiss a nt e q ue l a p re m re re O n p e ut d o ne obs e rv e r d e s .

r e pos e t d e s m o uv e m e n t s q ui c ontr e d is e nt aux lois d e l a

gr a vité e t d e la l eg ere t e c e s r e pos ont pour c aus e la t e nd an c e
d e l a n a t u re u niv e rs e ll e qui a ssu re la pa r fa i t e e t pe r p é t u e ll e
,

c ontin u ité e n t r e le s div e rs c or ps d u Mond e .

La t héori e d u li e u n a t u r e l t e i le q u Aris t o t e l a v ai t p ro p osé e

’ ’

, ,

é t a i t une bonn e t héo ri e d e Phys iq ue c ar a u moy e n d un pe ti t , ,

’

nomb re d h ypo t h é se s e ll e p e rm e t t a i t d e c l as s e r une mul t i

’

t ud e d e ph éno m é ne s c onnus d e prévo ir u ne f oul e d e r e pos ,

o u d e mo u v e m e n t s .

Ce p e nd a n t p e u ä p e u l e s e x p é ri e n c e s don t l a t héori e
, ,

p éri p a téti c i e nn e n e p ouv a i t r e ndr e c om p t e s e son t mul t i p lié e s

e t p ré c isé e s Alors il a fal l u l a r e m pl ac e r p ar une t héori e
.
,

p s c om p l e x e m a is plus c om p réh e nsiv e ; Rog e r Ba c on a

l u ,

c onstruit c e t t e t héori e nouv e ll e .

La théo r i e p r o posé e p a r Rog e r B ac on é t a i t u ne bo nn e

théori e phys iq ue ä p a rt ir d u n pe t i t nombr e d e p rin c i pe s ’

sim pl e s e ll e r e nd ai t e o m pt e d e t o us le s ph éno mé nes d é qui

,
’

libr e e t d e mouve m e nt q ue l on c o n n ai ss ait alors aussi bien ’

d e c e ux q u i n t e rp r é t a i t d éjä l a t héori e d Ari s t o t e q ue d e c e ux

’ ’

dont P hi l o n a va i t donn é l a d e s c ri p t ion Aussi c e t t e théori e .

a —t e ll e j oui d un e fa v e u r longu e e t méri t é e Au mili e u du

’
-
.

XV I s i é c l e Jul es Cés a r S c al ig e r s e
“
l a ir a a l a dév e lo p pe r
p
-
,

d ans s e s di atrib e s c on t r e Card an .

Un j our c e pe nd a nt l h ypo th és e d e l a c ontinui t é unive r

, ,
’

s ell e p r o po sé e p ar Rog e r B ac on c o nnai tr a l e sort qu a c onnu

, ,
’

l h yp o t hés e du li e u n a tur e l p ro p osé e p ar Ar is t o t e

’ ’

,
l o bs e r
v a tion r évél e r a d e s ph éno m é ne s dont e ll e n e p e ut r e ndr e
c o m pt e ; l e s f on t aini e rs d e Flor e n c e r e m a rqu e ront qu une
’

p om p e as p ir a nt e n e p e ut sou l e v e r l e a u a u d e l a d e tr e nt e
’
-

d e ux p i e ds Evang e list a Torri c e lli réal is e r a l e xpéri e nc e du ’

v if a rg e nt
-
.

] U LI I CA E S A R I S S CA L I G E RI Exote ri ca rum e xe rc i ta ti on u m ti ber X V

D e S u bti l i ta te a d ve rs us C a rd a n u m . E x e rc i ta ti o V D e ma t e ri a . De
v a cuo .
 L H OR RE U R DU
’
V IDE 2 69

Alors ,
r es a voir ét é longt e m ps une bonn e théo ri e de
ap

Physiqu e le syst em e d e Bac on d e vi e ndr a ä son to ur une

, , ,

théori e ins ufli sant e que le s fai t s c ontr e dis e nt qu il fa ut, ,

’

re j e t e r e t r e m pl a c e r p ar un e do c trin e p lus c om préhe nsive .

Ce ux q ui s o b s t in e ro nt a pro fe ss e r c e tt e théori e e n dé p it du
’

dém e nti d e l e Xp éri e nc e fe ront pr e uv e d un e ill ogiqu e

’ ’

rout in e c est c e que d ur e m e nt m a is j ust e m e nt P as c al

’

, , ,

r e pro c h e r a a u P No é l . .

Ma is le t e m ps o u le syst em e d e Ba c on d e vr a é t re ab a ndonné
es t bi e n éloigné d e c e l u i o ir l a u t e u r d e c e tt e théori e l a
’

f orm ul e V oyons c om m e nt l i d ée nouv e ll e a été ac c u e illie ’

p ar l es su c c e ss e urs im m édi a t s d u Fr a n c is c a in a ngl a is .

I V LA TRA DIT I O N
. DE R O G E R BACO N ET L HO RRE U R D U V I D E ’

Nous h e r c h e rons d ab o r d la tr a c e d e la do c trin e d e ’

Bac on d a ns c e t t e S u mma phi los ophi ae q ue c e rt a ins m a nus c r its

a ttribu e nt a Rob e r t G r oss e t e s t e m a is o ü l o n r e c o n n ai t s a ns
’

p e in e l oe uv re d un dis c i p l e d e Rog e r B ac on
’ ’
.

V oi c i un p r e mi e r p ass ag e int ér e ss a n t que no us r e l e vons ,

‘

d a ns c e q ue c e tt e S omme dit du vid e

Héron c e t émin e n t ph iloso ph e s e ffo rc e ä l aide d e
, ,
'

,
’

c l e psydr e s d e si phons e t d a u t r es instrum e nts d e m e ttr e e n

’

, ,

évide nc e l e xi s t e nc e du vid e c e n e st pas c hos e u il faill e ré

’ ' ’

p rouv e r d e t out e f a c on Il ne s e p ro p os e e n e e t d é t ab li r
.
, ,
'

q u
’
un e c hos e c e s t q ue, p a r un c
’

e r t a in a r t i fi c e l e, p l e in ,

p e ut é t r e ö t é d un li e u c e l a fa it
’
il f a u dr a né c e ss a ir e m e n t ,

vid r e st e e n c e li e u M a is c e st s e ul e m e nt p e nd a nt l a
’

q u e l e e .

duré e inst a nt a né e d e la t r a ns form a t ion q ue c e l a s e pe ut f air e

vérit abl e m e nt La c a us e d e c e t e ffe t c e s t l a ve rtu du li e u
.
,
’

n a tu re l q ui d e la c ir c on fér e n ce a u c e n t re es t p artout ré
, ,

a n d uef
p
Ce t e xt e nous r nd tout d
a pp e ,
’

ab o r d , q ue le Tracta tus de
i na n i e t va cu o o ü Ba c on a v a it l u le s e x p éri e n c e s q ui se f ont

L I N C O L N I E N S I S S u mma , ca p . c xv iii ,B a ur p 4 1 7
éd .
[L U D W I G , . .

BAUR Di e , p h i l os op hi s c he n Werke des Robe r t G ross etes te B i sc hof s von ,

L i n co ln ( B e i trä g e z ur G es chi c hte de r P hi losop hi e d es M i ttela lter s ,

Bd ix,
. Mü nste r ,
 R OG E R B A CO N

a v e c d es c l e psydr e s e t d e s si phons ét ai t donné sous le nom

d e Héron d Al e x a n d r i e o u t out a u moins c it ait c e nom
’
.
, , ,

Nous a vons r e c o n nu q u il d e v ait c ont e nir c e r t a in e s e x

’

a it e s p ar Ph il o n e t ignoré e s d e Héron qu il d e v a it
’

p é r i e n c e s f
ég al e m e n t déc ri re d e s e x p é r i e n c e s q ue Héron r appor t e e t
d on t P h il o n ne p a rl e p as Nous somm e s a insi c ond u i t s ä
.

p e ns e r q u e l e s Ar a b e s a v a i e n t donné a ux Chréti e ns sous l e ,

nom d e Hé r on d Ale x and ri e une c o m pil at ion o ü les e m prunts

’

f aits ä c e t a ut e ur s e m é l ai e n t ä c e u x q ue P h il o n a v ai t
f o u rnis .

Nous voyons e n outr e ( e t l a l e c t ur e d e B ac on nous le

,

fa is ait d éjä so u p co nne r) q ue c e tr a i t é dé c riv a it l e s e x p éri e n c e s

d e Héron e t d e P hil o n ä l e nv e rs si l o n p e u t l e dir e e t p a r c e
’ ’

, , ,

r e tourn e m e nt prés e nt ait d e s effe ts c on t r air e s ä c e ux q ue les

,

mé c ani c i e ns ont obs e r vé c omm e d e s a rt i fi c e s p ro pr e s ä réa lis e r

u n e s p ac e vid e .

Le dis c i pl e d e Bac on p a r ai t a voir été viv e m e nt fr a pp é p ar

l h ypo t hése d e c e tt e n a tur e u niv e rs e ll e ä l a q u e ll e son m ai t r e
’

a t t r ibu a it l e s mouv e m e nts q u i viol e nt e nt l e s n a t u r e

s p art i c u

li ere s afi n d e mpé c h e r le vid e d e s e prod uir a Il e n m e t la

’

mo t i o n a l a b as e m é me d e s a Cos m ologi e .

La n atur e dit il e n t ant q u e ll e e s t m em e c hos e que l a

,
-
,
‘ ’

f or c e a c tiv e e t q ue l a f or m e e s t ou bi e n n atur e univ e rs e ll e

o u bi e n n a tur e p a rti c ul i er e
Ce tt e n at u r e univ e rs e ll e c e st u ne f or c e qui r & id e d a ns
’

l a subst a n ce c él e st e c e st ä di re d a ns c e tt e int e llig e n c e c réé e

’
- -
,

q ui a u d e ssous du Cré a t e ur béni gouv e rn e e t mo d ére tout e

-
, ,

l a n a tur e cor p or e ll e e t inf éri e ur e

Av e o c e tt e n a t u r e u ni ve rs e ll e c o n s p ir e nt tout e s l es c hos e s
q u i g i se n t a u d e ssous
-
d e l l e qui p long e nt
’
e n e ll e l e ur
,
r ac in e ,

qui p ar e ll e ont r e c u e n part a g e l a pro priét é d agir ; c e s

, ,
’

c hos e s cons ir e nt a v e c l a n atur e univ e rs e ll e a u oint d e

p p
sus p e ndr e p arf ois l es n atur e s qui a c c om p agn e nt e n ell es
, , , ,

l a n a tur e univ e r s e ll e l e s pro priét és q ui l e ur sont p ar t i c uli é re s

, ,

e t d e m p é c h e r l e s ac tions e t l es e ffe ts qui l e ur sont p ro pr e s

’
.

Ce tt e p ar ticul ar ité qui d istin gu e l a n a tur e p art i c ul i ér e

d e l a n ature univ e rs e ll e n e st p as un e p a rti c ul a rit é indi vidu e ll e
’

L I N C O LN IE N S IS S umma , c ap . cc xl i v , é d B a ur p p
.
, . 0
59 9
— 1 .
272 R O G ER B A CO N

On s ait c om me n t Aris t o t e c h e rc h a i t d a ns l a i r ébr a nlé la ’

fo rc e m ot ri c e qui m a inti e n t l e mouv e m e n t d u p roj e c t il e ,

a p r es q ue c e l u i c i a q u i t t é l a m a in ou l a m ac hi n e b alistiqu e
-
.

Au X I I I s i é c l e l a S c ol as t iqu e to u t e nt ié re y c o m p ris Rog e r

e
, ,

Ba c on a dm e t t a i t c e t t e é t ra ng e théori e Not re a ut e ur n a
’
.
,

p a s m a n qué d e l u i don n e r son a ss e n t i m e nt e t c e p e n d a n t ,

e ll e l ir e s t gr a v e iss o r
'

Q
'
l é t o nne u e a .
q u i p u e p r
, t e un ,

p r oj e c t il e v e rs l e h a ut c e l a n e s a u r a i t é t re u n e ffe t d e s a
,

n a t ur e pa r t ic uli é re ; il fa u t d o ne q u il t i e n n e c e tt e pro prre t é ’

d e l a n a tu re u niv e rs e ll e Ma is c itons le c u ri e ux p ass ag e

.

s e dév e lo p pe c e t t e e x pli c a t ion

Aris t o t e a ffi r m e q u e n t r e d e ux m o u v e m e nts c ont r a ir e s

‘ ’

c om m e l a s c e nsion d u n g ra v e e t l a c h u t e d e c e m em e gr a v e
’ '

un r e po s in t e r m édi a i re doi t s i nt e rc ale r né c e ss ai re m e n t ’

d un e né c e ssi t é d e n a t ur e a ussi voi t o n q ue le s g ra v e s j e t és

’
-

e n l a i r d e m e ur e n t e n r e po s lo rs q u il s p a r vi e n n e n t a u t e rm e
’ ’

d e l e u r t r a j e c t oi re v e rs le h a u t O r v o il ä d e u x c hos e s .

[l a s c e n s ion e t le re p os e n l a ir ] q ui sont fo r t c o n t r a i re s a la
' ’

n atu re p a rti c uli ere d u g ra v e .

De m é m e d a ns le je t d u n e pi e r re d un e flé c h e ou d un
’ ’ ’

, ,

obj e t q ue l c onq u e mü d e mo u v e m e n t v iol e n t l a ir q ui e s t ,

’

tr es m ob il e e t t r e s lég e r re co i t d e l a viol e n c e d u p r e mi e r , ,

mot e ur une i m p re ssion p ar l a q ue ll e il p u is s e c onduir e le

,

mobil e jus qu a u t e rm e d u m o uv e m e nt S uiva nt Ar is t ot e

’
.
,

a l a fin du mouv e m e nt a u ssi bi e n qu a u m ili e u c e st c e m em e

’ ’

a i r mis e n br a nl e a u déb u t p ar l e mo t e u r viol e n t qui m e u t

, ,

n a tur e ll e m e n t l e mobil e lors m em e q ue l a p i e rr e l an c é e s e r ait

,

d e l a t a ill e d un e m e ul e d e m oulin ou in c om p a r a bl e m e nt plus

’

gr a nd e Pl a t on p e ns a it q ue le p r e mi e r ai r ébr a nl é e n mou
.

v ei t u n s e c ond e t a insi d e sui t e jus q u ä l a fin ; m a is un ’

mouve m e n t d e c e t t e sort e s e r ai t un mouv e m e nt viol e nt .

S e lon c e q u afii rm e Ari st o t e a u c ontr air e t ant a u mili e u du

’

, ,

mouve m e nt q u a la fin l a for c e motri c e a c tiv e e n c e qui

’

, ,

c on c e rn e l a ir qui m a in t i e nt l e m ouv e m e nt s e r a it n a tur e ll e

’
.
,

Le m em e Ari s t o t e e t l es a utr e s Péri p a t éti c i e ns a ttri bu e nt

a l e a u une n a t ur e qui a m é m e fac ilité p our r e c e voir d un
’ ’

mot e ur viol e nt un e im pr ession qu e l c onqu e e t mé me pro p riét é ,

d e mouvoir e nsuit e p ar s a n a t u r e .

Ma is c e l a n e p e ut a p part e nir uni qu e m e nt a l a n atur e

L I N C O L N I E N S I S S u mm c a p c lxxx i é d B a u p 51 a, .
, . r, . 0 .

I b i d c a p c c xl v p p 5 9
.
, .
, . 1— 2 .
 L H ORREUR DU
’
V I DE 273

rt i c uli er e d e l a ir e t d e l e a u c e st une pro prre t é que la

’ ’ ' ’

pa
n a tur e um v e rs e lle a 1mprrrn é e ä l él éme nt fluid e ’
.

En e ff e t d e d e ux ob j e t s o pp osés il e n es t touj ours un

, ,

a uqu e l t e nd l a n a t u r e p ar t re ul ré r e l a n atur e univ e rs e ll e au ,

c on t r ai r e r e g a rd e d e m em e fa <; on c es d e ux ob j e ts o pp os és
,

lors d o ne que la n a t ur e part re ul ié re agrt la n a t ur e umv e rse ll e ,

coll a bor e a v ec e ll e ; m ars e ll e p o urr a a ussi o p ér e r e n s e ns

c ontr a i r e d e l a n a t u r e p art re ul ré re
’
.

C e st bi e n l a théo r i e im aginé e p ar Rog e r B ac on

’ ’
l i nv e n
t e ur n e l a v a it a p p liqué e q u a ux e x p éri e n c e s o h le s c or ps
’ ’

gr a ve s sus pe nd e n t l e urs mouve m e n t s n ature ls p our évit e r l e

vid e a ud ac i e us e m e n t son dis c ip l e a t e n t é d e la génér al is e r ,

e t d e n t ir e r un e e x pli c a t ion du mouv e m e nt d e s proj e c t il e s

’
.

Les physi c i e ns q ui vi e ndron t a p ré s l a u t e ur d e la S umma

’

h i l h i a e ne r e no u ve ll e r on t pa s t e n t a t iv e ; comm
p oso p sa e

Bac on c e s t s e ul e m e n t a ux e x p éri e n c e s r e l ativ e s a la fui t e

’

du vid e q u il s a p pliq ue ron t la mo t ion d e n at ur e unive rs e ll e

’

s e ul J e a n d e Dumbl e t on écri ra a u s uj e t du m o uv e m e n t d e s
, ,

p ro j c c t i les u ne p
,
a g e o ü l on p our ra
p e u t é t r e r e c o n n a i t re
’
-

un souve ni r d e la S u mma Li n col ni e n s i s .

Le s C ommen ta i r es s ur l a P hys i que d A r i stote c om posés pa r

’

Gill es d e Rom e sont le p r e mi e r é c ri t o r1 nous r e m arquions

‘

a u suj e t du vid e l i nflu e nc e d es idé e s émis e s p a r B ac on

’

.
,

Ce tt e influ e n c e s e d e vin e d é jä c royo ns nous d a ns c e q ue ,

-
,

Gill e s d e Rom e d it d e l e xpérie nc e d e la c l e psydr e ’

On p rouv e é c ri t —il q ue l a ir e s t qu e lq ue c hos e a u moy e n

’
‘
, ,

d un c e rt arn v as e qu on a ppe ll e c l e psyd re 11 a un trou d a ns

’ ’

l a p art re su p é ri e ur e e t un gr a nd nombr e d e t r ous d a ns la

p ar t re i n fé rre u r e L e v a s e u ne f o rs r e m pl i s r l on ouvr e le s
.
,
’

trous in féri e u r s t ou t e n m ai n t e n a nt bou c hé l o rrfi c e su p é ri e ur

,
’

l e a u ne s éc o ule pas l a rr e n e ffe t vo ul a n t e n t r e r par c e s

’ ’ ’

, ,

t rous ne pe rm e t p as ä l e a u d e so rt i r C e st pa r la qu on ’ ’ ’

.
,

d é mo nt ra rt q ue l a rr e s t qu e lqu e c hos e ; e n e ffe t s r l e a u

’ ’

sort a it d e c e vas e art rfic re us e m e nt c o m b rné e t s r l arr n y ,

’ ’

e n t r a it p as 11 y re s t e ra rt l e v rd e L a rr d o ne e n voul a nt
’
.
, ,

e ntr e r p ar l e s trous d o ü l e a u s é c h a ppe r ait e mp é c h e l a

’ ’

sor t i e d e l e au P a r t a n t dis a i e nt Hs l e a u e s t qu e lqu e c hos e

’
.
,
-
,
’
.
’

A E G I D I I R O M A N I I n l i br os d e phy s i co a u d i ta A r i s tote li s co mme n

ta r i a , li b . IV , le c t x .
, ed . V e n e t ii s , 1 50 2 , fol 7 6 .
, c ol . a .

16 8 9 T
2 74 R OG E R BA CON

Da ns l ve c l a q ue ll e Gill e s d e Rom e e n l a ir ’

rns is t a nc e a ,

qui v e ut e ntr e r me t la c a us e q ui e m pé ch e l e a u d e sortir

,
’

p e ut é-
t r e re c o n n a i t ra t o u un souv e nir d e c e q ue B ac on - -

dis ait d e la c l e psydr e d a ns l a p re mre re sé ri e d e s es Questi on s

,

Mais l i nflue nc e d e B a c on s e m arqu e a v e c une

’
d e P hysi que .

tout autr e n e tt e té d ans c e q ue Gill e s dit d e la tr action e xe r c é e

p a r l e vid e ( tractus a vacu o) .

On s e d e m a nd e r ait pe ut é t r e é c rit i l s il y a une tr a c tion

’
- -
‘
, ,

e x e r c é e p ar l e vid e Il fa ut ré p ondr e que l a tr a ction p ar

l e vid e s e p e ut e nt e ndr e d e d e u x m a n i é re s En p r e mi e r li e u .
,

le mot vid e p e ut désign e r d un e ma n i é re p ositiv e u ne c e rt a in e

’

n atur e p ar l a qu e ll e s e r a it e x e rc é e un e a t t r a c tion pr o pr e m e nt
,

dit e ; im agin e r d e l a sort e la tr a c tion d u vid e c e st p ur e ,

’

m e nt fant astiqu e On p e ut e nt e ndr e d u n e a u tr e m a ni er e

’

l a tr ac tion du vid e e t désign e r p ar l ä une tr a c tion e x e r c é e

,

a fi n qu il n y a i t p as d e vid e d e c e tt e m ani é re il s e xe rc e
’ ’ ’

, ,

e n e ffe t u ne tr a c tion du vid e c ar l a n at u r e n e sou ffr e p as

, ,

le vid e De c e tt e fa c on d a ns u ne foul e d e c ir c onst a n c e s il

.
, ,

s e p roduit u ne tr a c tion a fi n q u i l n y a i t p as d e vid e

’ ’
.

C e st m a ni fe st e p our l a v e nto u s e ; si l on y m e t d e l é to u pe
’ ’

e nfla mmé e c e fe u ra r é fi e l a ir c ont e nu d a ns l a v e ntous e qu on

’ ’

p os e alors l a v e ntous e sur la c h air c omm e l e fe u s ét e i nt c e t

’

a i r s e r e froidit e t o c c u p e moins d e p l ac e alo r s p our q ue le ,

vid e ne se produis e pas il s e fai t une attr ac tion d e la c h air ,

.

T out e f ois d a ns l a v e ntous e O u l on m e t d e l ét o u pe

’ ’

allumé e il y a p e ut etr e c on c ours d e d e ux a ttr a c tions c e ll e

,
-
,

d e l a c h al e ur e t c e ll e du vid e Maint e s f ois c e p e nd a n t l a .

, ,

f r a c tion p rovi e nt du vid e s e ul c e l a s e voit d a ns c es tuy a ux

r e c ourbés (fi stulae tortuos a e) q ue c e rt a ins app e ll e nt d es
s e r pe nts si on les plong e d ans un tonn e au d e vin l e
2
,

tonn e a u s e trouve vidé pre squ e e n e nti e r c e l a p rovi e nt d e

c e q u e c e s tuy a ux sont r e c ourbés e n sort e q ue si l é co ul e m e nt
’

s a rr é t ai t il r e st e r a it a u m i li e u un e s p a c e vid e
’
.

Mais p e ut ét re c on c e vr a t o u e n outr e l e dout e q ue

- - -
,

voi c i 3
Attir e r e s t un c e rt a in e ffe t p osi trf a un e ffe t
p ositi f il fa ut assign e r u n e c a us e p ositiv e
, qu e ll e e st d one
c e tt e c aus e p ositive qui tir e afi n qu il n y ai t pas d e vid e ’ ’

A E GI D I I R O M A N I Op l u d l ib I V l e c t x d ubi ta t i o . éd c i t
a .
, .
, .
, . .
,

f ol .
79 , c o ll . b et c .

2
A u li e u d e : s e rp e n s t ( ser p en tes ) , ne fa u t -
i l p as li r e : s i ph o n s

( s iphon es )
3
A e gi di us Ro man us lo c , . ort d ub i t a t i o 6 a éd . cit .
, f ol 7 9 .
, c ol . c .
276 R OG E R B A CO N

r a ux d e la Physiq ue p é ri p atéti c i e n n e la c o m plé t a i t d he u ,

’

r e us e m an ié re e ll e p e r m e tt a i t d e r e ndr e e o mpt e d un e foul e ’

d e x pér ie nc e s q ui s e mbl a i e nt c ontr e dir e a u x lois du g ra v e e t

’

du lég e r q u e ll e a it été e nt ié re me nt ins piré e par l a do c trine

’

d e B ac on c e l a s a ut e a u x y e ux
,
.

J e a n d e J a ndun n e st p as m oins intére ssé q ue G ill e s d e ’

Rom e par l e s e x p éri e n c e s O ü l on voit la n atur e fuir le vid e ’

m ais il se montr e m oins aff rrmat if au suj e t d e l e xplic at io n ’

qu e ll e s c om p or t e nt
’
.

Ce rt a ins dis e nt é c rit J e a n d e J a nd un que si d e ux c or ps

, ,
‘

a bsolum e n t pl a ns é t a i e n t a p pliq u és l un sur l a utr e s a ns

’ ’

qu e lqu e int e rmédi air e que c e soi t j a m ais ils ne p ourr a i e nt ,

etr e sé p a rés simul t a ném e nt e n tout e s l e u r s p a r t i e s ; p our

q u
’
i l s p uss e nt e t r e disj oints il f a u dr a i t q u e c e füt su cc e ssiv e ,

m e nt d ab o rd une p a r t i e p uis u ne a u t re ; e t a u t an t il y
,
’

a ur a it d e s p a c e e nt r e c e s p a r t i e s a ut a nt d a i r e ntr e r a it l air
’ ’ ’

s e gliss e r a it a insi s u c c e ssiv e m e n t a u f ur e t a m e su r e q ue ,

c e s d e ux c or p s s e r a i e n t disj oi n ts En e ffe t ä c aus e d e l a .

,

fu it e du vid e il s e r a it im p ossibl e q ue to u t e s l es p a rti e s se

,

sé par ass e nt ég al e m e n t a u m em e ins t a n t Considére z bi e n .

c e tt e q u e s t ion c a r e ll e es t a ss e z b e ll e
,
P e ut é t re moy e nn a n t .
-
,

l a su p p osi t ion fa it e c e s d e ux c or ps n e p o u rr a i e nt Hs j am a is
,
-

é t r e sé p ar és l un d e l a utr e m ais pe u t etr e a ussi dir ai t o n

’ ’
- -

q u e l a su pp osition e s t im p ossibl e .
’

J e a n d e J a ndun r a p port e une d es e x p éri e n ce s qui figu

r ai e nt nous a dit Mars ile d Ingh e n au Tra ctatus de i na ni et
,
’

vacu o

Q u on f
’
a ss e un v a s e gros e t l a rg e
p a r l e b as ét r oit p a r l e ,

h aut q u il a i t une p e ti t e o u ve rt ur e e n l a p arti e étroi t e e t

’

e n l a p a rti e l a rg e p lusi e urs ouv e rtur e s si l on plong e c e ’

vas e d an s l e au il e s t m ani fe st e qu e l e a u l e r e m plir a qu on

’

,
’ ’

bou c h e al ors d un e m ani ér e tr es p ar fa it e l ouv e rtur e s up é

’

,
’

ri e ur e e t q u on r e tir e l e v as e d e l e a u Pour l a c a us e ’

susdit e l e au n e p o u rr a tomb e r p ar l es trous qui sont au b as

,
’

du vas e Mais q u es t c e d o ne qui la r e ti e ndra On ré pondr a

.
’
-

q u e c e st’
l a n a tur e univ e rs e ll e c ar c e tt e n a t u r e n e
p erm e t ,

J OA N N I S D E ] A N D U N O S up oct li b s A i t t li d p hy s i c er o ro r s o e s e o

a udi tu quaes ti on es , li b . I V , q u a e st . 11 : An v a c uu m e ss e si t me c es
s ari u m .
 L H ORREUR D U V I DE
’
2 77

p oint l e vid e qu s e p roduir a it né ce ss a ir e m e nt si l e a u tom

i ’

b art 11 y a mo rnd re m al e n e ffe t a c e que l e a u so rt , ,

’
a rns i
r e t e nu e e n h a ut
qu a la produ c tion du v rd e e n c e lre u
’

V oi c i un e a utr e e Xp éri e nc e dont J e a n B uri d an , et Mars ile

pl a iront a invoqu e r l e témoign ag e
’
d Ingh e n se

Su p posons qu e n un v as e t r és é p ais e t t r es r ésist a nt il

’

y ai t u ne s e ul e ouv e r tur e qu e n c e tt e ouve rtur e 0 11 intro ’

d uis e l e b e e d un s o u ffle t e t q ue c e s o uffle t n a it a u c un trou

’ ’

d ans s e s par ois J a m ais a u c un e fo r c e n e p ourr ait soul e ve r

l e s p a rois du s o u ffle t ni l e s sé p a r e r l un e d e l a utr e u st ’

Q
’ ’
e c c .
-

qui l e m p é c h e rai t ? La n atur e unive rs e ll e e n v ue d e la fuit e

’ '

du vid e
V oil a c e qu on pe ut dir e a u s u j e t d e c es e x p ér i e n c es e t
’

j e n a i p
’
as e nt e ndu d e m e ill e ur e s r a isons .

Ma is qu e ll e e s t c e tt e n a t ur e unive rs e ll e qui produit c e s ,

e m pé c h e m e nt s Ce l a n e s t p a s a bsol u m e nt m a ni fe st e
’ ’
.

Enr e va n c h e c e qui e st a bsol um e nt m ani fe st e c e st que

, ,
’

J e a n d e J a ndun e m pr unt e a ux Qu esti ons de P hys i que d e

Rog e r Ba c on e t c e l a d un e fa c on pr e squ e t e xtu e ll e tout c e
,
’

q u il dit d e c e tt e n a tur e u niv e rs e ll e Il n e p ar ait p as d ail

’
.
,
’

l eurs qu il ai t c onnu l Opu s terti u m ; il y e ut trouvé des

,
’ ’

c onsidé r a tions p r o pr e s ä dissi p e r q ri e l qu e p e u l e dout e qui

e s t d e m e uré d a ns son e s p rit .

A pr es J e a n d e J andun 1 Ecol e d e P ar is n e nous prés e nt e ,

’

p lus a u X IV si ec l e d e p hysi c i e n qui a i t tr es fi d é le me nt suivi

e
, , ,

a u suj e t du vid e l o p i n i o n d e Rog e r B ac on

’

, .

Fra neo is d e Me yro nn e s é c rit

Q ue f a ut il pe ns e r d e l a
-
tr a c tion du vid e ( tr a ctus va cui
) ,

c a r l e vid e n e c a us e ri e n ? I l ne s e m bl e p as q u une
’

int e llig e n c e prod ui s e c e t t e tr ac tion Je ne vois d o ne p oint .

d e c a us e ä m oins d e r e c o u ri r a u p r e m i e r Ag e nt univ e rs e l
,

c a r 0 11 voit un c o r p s d e m é m e n atur e se mouvoir t a n t ö t v e rs

l e h a ut t a nt ö t v e rs le b a s
’
.
,

Il s e mbl e p ar la que Fr a n c ois d e Me yronn e s voi e une a c tion

dir e c t e d e Di e u e n tout mouve m e nt qui t e nd ä évit e r le vid e
F RA N CI S C I DE M A Y R O N I S S cr i ptum i n s ecu n du m li br um S en te n
ti a r um , d i s t . X I V q u a e st
, . vi ; ed . V e n e t ii s , 1 520 , p . 1 5 1 , c ol . b .
278 R O G ER B A CO N

a moins q ue pa r pre m i e r Ag e n t il n e nt e nd e le c i e l ; s a
, ,
'

p e nsé e r e j oindr a it a lors c e ll e d e Gill e s d e Ro m e dont v isibl e ,

m e nt il s e st ins p iré
,
’
.

A l imit a tion d e J e a n d e J a ndu n J e an le Ch anoine é nu

’

m er e le s dive rs e s e x p éri e nc e s q ue r e n fe rm a it le Tracta tus de

i n a n i et vac u o Comm e son p r édé c e ss e ur il les p rés e n t e
.
, ,

tout d ab o rd so us l a form e d e p ro c édés pro pr es a ré alis e r un

’

e s p ac e vid e p uis i l e X p li q ue c o m m e n t l es c hos e s s e p ass e ron t

,

a fi n q ue le vid e n e s e prod u is e p as .

Q u o n fi x e
’

u n e c h a nd e ll e a u fond d u n v as e
pl e in d e a u
’ ’

d e t e ll e sor t e q ue la fla m m e se t ro uv e bi e n a la h a ut e ur d u n e
’

p a l m e a u d e ss us d e l e a u
-

p ui s q u on l a r e c ouvr e d un v as e
’ ’ ’

on c ons t a t e q ue la c h a nd e ll e s é t e int ’

Qu on pr e nne q ue lqu e v as e d e d u r m ét a l qu on l e m
’ ’ ’

p liss e d e a u p ar un t e m ps froid
’
si l a c ongél a t ion s u rvi e n t ,

l e a u c ong e lé e o c c u pe r a m oins d e pl ac e ; e ntr e les parois du

’

v as e il d e m e ure r a un e s pac e vid e

,

Qu on p r e nn e d e ux disq ue s p a r fa i t e m e nt pl a ns e t qu on
’ ’

l e s a ppliq ue l u n s u r l a u t r e s a ns r i e n d i n t e r po s é
’ ’

S up
’

p o s ons e nsuit e qu on a tt a c h é u n fil a u c e n t r e du disqu e

’

su p éri e ur ; si l on s o ul é ve c e disq ue a u m oye n du fil il s e

’

p rodui r a un vid e d a ns le s p a r t i e s c e n t r a l e s ; l a ir e n
’

e ff e t , p a r vi e ndr a a u x p a r t i e s voisin e s d e l a c i r c on f ér e n c e

a v a nt d a t t e i n d re l e s p a r t i e s c e n t r a l e s
’ ’
.

Au suj e t d e la c h a nd e ll e je dis qu il ne s e p roduir ai t ,

’

e vid e ar l e a u m on t e r a i t e t l a ir se ra r éfi e ra i t
’ ’

p as d c ,

— Ma is c e l a n e e u t e tr il t ontr ir a l n tur e
p e c ar e s c a e a a ,

q u e l e a u
’
mont e p u i s q u e ll e es t g r a v e —
, J e ré p onds q
’

ue .

l as c e nsion d un gr a v e e s t c ontr air e a l a n atur e p arti c uli er e

’ ’

m ais l a n at u r e p ar ti c u li er e doit n atur e ll e m e n t obéir a l a .

n atur e univ e rs e ll e e t a u régim e d e l Uni v e rs tot al qui a ’

ho r r e ur ( a bhorr et) d é t re disso us e t int e rrom p u ; c e l a s e ’

f a it d o ne a fi n qu il ne r e s t e p as d e vid e
’

A pro p os d e l e x p éri e nc e suiva nt e je dis que s il y a v ai t

’

,
’

un t e l v as e d a ns l e qu e l l a ir ne put e ntr e r c e vas e s e r ai t ’

b r isé p ar l a f or c e d e l Uni v e rs e nti e r c ar la n atur e a ur a it ’

, ,

ä c e p oint horr e ur du vid e ( et i n ta ntum n atura vacuum

,

a bhor r er et )
J OAN N I S CA N O N I C I Qu ae sti ones su per VI I I l i bros p hy s i co r um
A ri s tote l i s lib IV , q uae s t i v
, . .
, ed . V e n e tii s , 1 520 ,
fo l 4 2
.
, c o li . c et d ;
f o l 4 3, c o l b
. . .
2 80 R OG E R B A CO N

Pre mre re m e nt si l on bo uc h a it to ut e s l e s ouv e rtu re s d u n

’ ’

s o u ffle t a u c u n e p ui s s a n c e n e p o u r r a it so ul e v e r un d e s b at
,

t a nts du so uffle t p ou r le sé pa r e r d e l a utr e a moins qu rl ’ ’

ne s e fi t qu e lq u e ru p tur e p ar O C 1 l a ir pu t p é n étr e r ; c e t t e
’

ru ptur e fait e il d e vi e nt fac il e d e so ul e ve r un d e s b att a nts

,

e n le sé p a r a nt d e l a u t r e c a r il y a a lo r s qu e lq u e c hos e q u r
_
’

p e u t é t r e a dmis e ntr e l e s p a rois du s o u ffle t c e l a s e mbl e u n

sign e q ue la n at ur e a bhorr e le vid e ( hoc vi detur esse s i gnu m
n a tu ra m a bhorr er e vacuum) .

S econd e m e nt on p e ut prouv e r l a m em e c hos e au moye n

,

d e l a c l e psydr e
’
.

Alb e rt d e S ax e se born e d a ille ur s ä c e tt e affirmat i on ,

’

,
°

Au c un e puiss an c e n atur e ll e n e s aur ait produir e un e s p ac e

vid e Pas plus que J e an B urid an p as plus qu e Marsile
.
,

d Ingh e n il ne s p é c ul e sur l e s f or c e s q ue l a n atur e m e t

’

e n je u a fi n d e m p é c h e r rix mouv m nts

’
au p d e e e c on
,

tr a ir e s aux p ro pr e s t e nd an c e s d es c or ps l a form a tion d u n ,

’

e s p ac e vid e .

Ev ide m me nt a u fur e t a m e sur e que le x 111 s i é c le r e c ul e

,
°

d ans le passé l e s physi c i e ns d e P a ris s e montr e nt plus oubli e ux

,

d es e ns e ign e m e nts d e Rog e r B ac on P e u ä p e u tout e l a .

- -
,

théori e que c e d e rni e r a v a it dév e lo p p é e s e c ond e ns e e n c e t t e

br ev e form ul e La n atur e a horr e u r du vid e Ce sont bi e n .

e n c or e l e s p e nsé e s d e Fr é re Ro ge r qu on e nt e nd c on fusém e n t
’

e x p rim e r p ar c e t a phorism e m a is on n e p r e nd p l us l a p e in e
d e l e s dé c l a r e r d un e m a nre r e e x p li c it e
’

A l Uni ve rs i t é d Oxford l a tr a dition du gr and physi c i e n

’ ’

a ngl a is p a r a it a voir e nd nt lus longt m s g rdé tout e

p a p e p , a ,

s a for c e ; J e a n d e D u m bl e ton v a nous e n a ort e r l e t é

pp
m o ign age .

Au c h apitr e d e s a S umma l ogi cae et n a turali s phi losophi a e

o ir il tr a it e d e l imp o ss i b il i t é d u vid e d a ns l a n a t ur e J e an d e
’

Dum bl e ton é c rit c e qui suit

Un cor ps n atur e l pe ut a voir d es mouv e m e nts d e d e ux

‘

sort e s .

J O H AN NI S D E D U M B LE T O N S u mm p s s xt a ca p i ii ; B i b l '

a, ar e ,
. .

N at f o n d s l a t i n M S n 662 fo l 6
, o ll t (1 t fo l 6 1
. ol
°
1 1, . 0 , c . c e , e .
, c . a .
 L H ORREU R DU
’
V I DE 28 1

Un mouv e m e nts lui a dvi e nt p ar c e qu il es t d e t e ll e

de c es
’

e s p ec e a insi a u fe u e n t a nt qu il e s t f e u il a dvi e nt d é t re
’ ’

, ,

mü p ar sa form e v e rs l a c on c a vité d e l o r b e lun a ir e

’
.

Le s e c ond m ouv e m e nt lui a pp a rti e nt e n t a nt qu il e s t

’

c or p s n a tur e l ; e t sous c e r a ort tous l or s e c om p ort e nt

pp e
, s c p s ,

d e m ém e
Pour c om pr e ndr e l a s e c ond e p ro p osition il fa ut su pp os e r ,

c e p rin c i p e ti r é d e l e x p éri e n ce Tout c or ps lors m em e qu il

’ ’

s e r ait e n son li e u n a t ur e l dési r e etr e c onj oint aun a ut r e c or ps ,

.

E t c e l a se prouv e d e l a m a ni er e suiv a n t e I l ré pugn e qu e

l e vid e soit t a ndis qu il ne ré pugn e p as qu un c or ps s e trouv e
’ ’

hors d e son li e u pr o p r e Il e s t d o n e pl us n atur e l qu un c or p s .

’

s e m e uv e p our d e m e u r e r a u c ont a c t i m m édi a t d un a utr e

’

c or ps p lu t ö t q u e p our g a gn e r son li e u pr o p r e l a n a t u r e d un
’

c o r p s e s t d é t r e c onj oint a un a u t r e c o r p s a v a nt q u e d é t r e e n
’ ’

son li e u pro pr e Ce mouve m e nt p ar l e qu e l u n c o r ps d e m eur e

.

a u c ont ac t i mm édi a t d un a u tr e c or p s n a d v i e nt p as a un
’ ’

élém e nt e n t a nt q u éléme nt m a is e n t a nt qu il e s t si m pl e
’

,
’

m e nt c or ps n a tur e l De c e tt e m a ni er e tout c or ps n atu re l e st

.
,

mobil e ve rs tout li e u q u e c e li e u soi t e n h a ut o u e n b as tout

,

élém e nt e s t in di ffér e mm e nt mobil e v e rs to ut li e u ahn d e

d e m e ur e r c onj oint ä u n c o r ps n a t ure l D e m é m e que l a i
’

m ant induit d an s le fe r une for m e gr äc e ä l a qu e ll e le fe r suit

l e mouv e m e nt d e l a i m a nt d e m em e l e c o r ps qui e n suit un
’

a utr e p a r c e m ouv e m e nt s a rr é t e lorsq u e c e t a utr e c or p s

’

d e m e ur e e n r e pos c omm e 0 11 l e voit lorsqu e l e au mont e

,
’

d ans un e p i p e tt e ( i n fi stula m)
Mais le but d e c e mouv e m e nt n e st p oint n a tur e l a un
‘ ’

c or p s si c e n e st e n v ue d e le m aint e nir immédi at e m e nt

,
’

c ontigu a un a utr e c o r s
’

p .

C e st d o n e p ar ttr ac tion c om p ar abl e ä l at tr ac t i o n

’ ’
u ne a

m agnétiqu e que to ut c or ps qui dél a iss e un li e u e nt ra i ne ä s a ,

suit e le c or ps qui lui e s t c ontigu d u t il p our c e l a c ontr ar i e r

, ,
-
, ,

l e s t e nd a n c e s n a tur e ll e s d e c e d e r n i e r c or p s s il e n e s t a insi ’

c e st a fi n qu il n y a i t j a m a is d ans l a n atu r e a u c un e s pa c e
’ ’ ’

, ,

vid e Ce tt e loi n e s i m p os e p as s e ul e m e nt a ux élém e nts e ll e

.
’

régit m em e l a subst a n c e c él e st e ; Dumbl e ton p révoit e n ,

e ff e t qu on lui a dr e ss e r a l o b je c t i o n q ue voi c i
’ ’

résult e d e c e tt e su p p osition qu afi n d e r e st e r c onj oint

Il
’

a un c or p s l e c i e l e st sus c e p tibl e d e mouv e m e nt r e c tilign e

si par e x e m pl e l e fe u d e s c e nd ait l e c i e l le suivr a it afi n
, , , ,
 R OG ER B A CON

qu il n y e ut p as d e vid e e ntr e e ux e n e ffe t l e x is t e nc e d u

’ ’

,
’

vid e ne ré pugn e p as mo rns a u tr es nobl e c or ps du c re l q u a ’

qu elqu e a ut r e c or p s rnférre ur .
’

Ce tt e onséqu e n c e de théori e notr e ut e ur ad me t

’

c sa , a l

p l e in e m e nt

Si tout l éléme nt qui s e trouve a u d e ssous d e la d e rnre re

’
-

sur fac e c on c a ve du c i e l v e n a it 2 d e s c e n dr e l e c i e l le suivr a it ,

n atur e ll e m e nt d e t e ile fa eo n qu il s e r a it im p ossibl e d e

,
’

sé par e r l e fe u d a v e c le c i e l e n e ffe t si le c i e l n e suiva it pas

’

l e m ouv e m e nt du fe u l e vid e s e p roduir a it e ntr e e ux ,

e t il
ré pugn e a l a n atur e q ue le vid e soit plus que n e lui ré pugn e ,

l a p r és e n c e d un e p arti e du c i e l a u li e u d e l a t e rr e En c e
’
.

li e u tout e fois l e c i e l c on t i n ue r a it d e s e m o u voir cir c ul air e

, ,

m e nt c ar l e m ouve m e nt c ir c ul a ir e a pparti e nt au ci e l e n t a nt
,

qu il e s t d un e c e rt ain e n a tur e s p éc ifi que

’ ’
.
’

Au c ont r a ir e c o m m e nous l a vons vu s il e s t c apabl e p our

,
’

,
’

évit e r l a produ c tion du vid e d e s e mouvoir d e mouv e m e nt ,

r e c tilign e c e n est p as e n t ant qu il e s t for m é d e subst a n c e c é

,
’ ’

l est e m ais d un e m anre re plus génér al e e n t ant qu il e st c or ps

, ,
’

,
’
.

D éjä Gill e s d e Rom e a v a it ét abli un e c om p ar a ison e ntr e

le s mouv e m e nts qui ont p our obj e t l a fuit e du vid e e t l e s
mouv e m e nts du fe r v e rs l aimant ; vr ais e m bl abl e m e nt la ’

p e nsé e du c é l é b r e a ugustin a ins iré J e a n d e Dumbl e ton ;

p
e ll e lui a suggéré l h yp o t h é s e d e c e tt e a ttr ac tion mutu e ll e
’

p a r l a qu e ll e l e s c or p s s e r e ti e nn e nt l es uns l e s a utr e s a fin d e

d e m e ur e r c ontigus .

Une a utr e influ e n ce s e d e vin e d a ns l es p ass a g es q ue nous

v e nons d e cit e r c e st c e ll e d e la S umma fa uss e m e nt at tri
’

bué e ä Rob e rt Gross e t e st e ; p e ut etr e e s t —ce c e tt e d e rni er e -

influ e n c e qui p ouss e J e an d e D umbl e ton a r e li e r s a théori e

du mouv e m e nt d e s p roj e c t il e s a son syst em e sur l a f uit e
du vid e V oi c i e n e ffe t c o mm e nt c e t a ut e ur e x pliqu e
.
, ,

l a p e rsist a n c e du mouv e m e nt d e l a p i e rr e a p r es qu e ll e a
’

quitt é la m ain qui l a l an c é e ’

J O HA N N I S DE D U M B L E T O N Op l a u d . .
, p ars s e xt a , c ap . iv ; MS .

ort fo l 6 1 , . c o ll . c e t (1 .
2 84 R OG E R B A CON

nous aurons l e xpos é c om pl e t d e c e tt e do c t ri n e qui c om plét ait

’

si h e u r e us e m e nt la théori e p éri p atéti c i e nn e du gr av e e t d u

lég e r e t qui d e v ait dur e r jus qu ä la dé c ouve rt e d e l a pr e ssion
,
’

a tmos p hériqu e . Da ns la c onstitution d e c e tt e do c trin e l e ,

p r e mi e r r ö l
,
e p r e mi e r d a ns l e t e m p s e t p e mi e r p ar l i mp or
r
’

t an c e a ppa rti e nt a Rog e r Bac on

, .
 RO GE R B A CON HIS RE L ATI ON S TO :

A LC H E MY AND C HE MISTRY

BY M M
. . PATTI S ON MU I R

THE working m e t als h as b e e n pr ac tis e d sin c e ve ry

ar t o f

e a rly ti m e s B y using mixtur e s o f m e t als m e n l e ar n e d

.
,

how to produ c e instrum e nts mor e dura bl e and m ore e a sily

fa shion e d th a n t h e ston e im pl e m e nts o f v e ry e a rly ti m e s .

Th e y dis c ov e r e d th a t t h e c olour t h e h a rdn e ss t h e t e n ac ity

, , ,

t h e du c tility a n d oth e r p ro p e rti e s o f a m e t a l a r e so m e tim e s

,

mu c h c h ang e d by t h e a dmixtur e o f sm a ll qu antiti e s Of oth e r

m e t als Me n a lso l e a rn e d to m ake fro m things found on
.
,

t h e e a rth oth e r things v e ry unlik e thos e from whi c h th e y

,

we r e m a d e From gr a in the y m a d e intoxi c a ting liquids

.
,

f rom pl a nts th e y p r e p a r e d subst a n c e s whi c h c h a ng e d th e

,

c olours o f c lothing m a t e ri a ls m a d e f rom oth e r pl a nts or

from t he skins or h a ir o f a nim a ls B y h e a ting lum p s o f .

ston e us e d fo r building sh e lt e rs th e y obt ain e d m at e ri a l

, ,

us e ful in ag r i c ultur e a nd h a ving t he pe c uli ar pro pe rty o f

,

b e c oming hot wh e n r ain fe ll on it .

Som e o f t h e str ang e c h ang e s e ffe c t e d in n atur al m at e ri als

by hum a n inge nuity s e e m e d to thos e who we r e in authority
in t h e e arly c e nturi e s o f our e ra to b e p ossibl e only to me n
who h ad e at e n o f t h e fruit o f t h e t re e o f knowl e dg e whe r e o f
i t was unl aw fu l to e a t Th e a r ts whi c h c h ang e d m at e ri al
.

things into altog e the r diffe r e nt things c am e to b e r e g ard e d

as s a vouring o f sor ce ry Som e o f t h e c h ang e s we r e s a id
.

to b e too wond e r ful fo r un aid e d hum an p owe r to ac c o m plish

the y who e ffe c t e d suc h m arve llous tra nsmut ations must
b e in l e a gue with b ad a ng e ls But t h e us e fuln e ss o f m a ny Of
.

t h e things produ c e d from wh a t s e e m e d to b e us e l e ss m a t e ri als

2 86 R OG E R B A CON

c ould not b e qu e stione d A distin c tion was gra du ally m ad e .

b e twe e n l e gitim at e c uriosity and t he pursuit of forbidde n

knowl e dg e .

Th e r e a lways h a v e b e e n me n who r e fus e to b e c ont e nt e d

with m at e ri al c o m forts a nd c onv e ni e n ce s Su c h m e n p on ,

d e ring t he c h a ng e s h appe ning a round th e m and th e c h ang e s ,

e ffe c t e d by hum a n p ow e r w e r e f or c e d to inquir e how th e s e ,

c h a ng e s w e r e a c c om plish e d Th e y a sk e d I s e v e rything .
,

mut abl e Th e y a nswe r e d Th e r e must b e an un c h ang e abl e ,

f ound a tion b e n e a th t h e mut a tions O f n a tur e a nd t h e tr ans

mut ations e ffe c t e d by art Trying to dis c ov e r th e pl a n on .

whi c h t h e r e stl e ss world o f c h anging appe a r a n c e s is arr ang e d ,

a n d fi n d i ng t h e e v e r c h a nging c om pli c a t e d ph e nom e n a o f

-
,

n a tur e too h ard t o und e rst and th e y turn e d a w ay from e x ,

t e rn al n a tur e and d e c id e d th at n atur e must b e fund a m e nt ally

,

sim pl e and h e r dis c on ce rting m u t ations m ust b e c ov e rings

,

o f an und e rlying unity b e c aus e t h e id e a s O f sim p li c ity an d ,

unity brought r e p os e to th e ir inw ard longing for r e st .

Is not ma n th e y e x c l a im e d gr e a t e r th a n m att e r ? Is
, ,

not t he hum a n mind a mor e p e r fe c t e x pr e ssion o f t he

Cr e a tor s thought th a n p l a nts a n d a nim als th a n e a rth and
’

a ir an d s e a Man th e y d e c l ar e d is t h e m ac ro c osm o f a ll
, ,

things I n t h e im a g e O f God c r e a t e d He him Ma n s

’ ’
. .

fun c tion is to r é c r e at e t h e world o f a p p e a r a n c e s in his own

-

im ag e and to find in th at r é c r e at e d wo r ld anoth e r e x pr e s

,
-

sio no f divin e unity an d divin e sim pli c ity .

In t h e old e st a l c h e mi cal wri t ings we find e x c l am ations

such as th e s e Th e o n e is t h e a ll By him t h e a ll in him .
, ,

O f t h e divin e w a t e r Two n a tur e s o ne e ss e n c e

’ ’
t h e a ll . .
, .

Th e n a tur e o f m a tt e r is both sim pl e a n d c om p ound

it r e c e ive s a thous and n am e s and its e ss e n c e is one , .
’ 2

Z osi mus , p rob ab l y hi r d t c e n ur yt A D . .

Q uo t e d b y B e r h e lo t t ,

de l A l c hi mi e p
’
L es Or i g i nes , . 17 8 .

2
t
S e p h an u s of Al e x a n d ri a , e a rl y s ev en th c e n u ry t .
Quot e d by
t
B er h elo t , loc . cit .
, p . 277 .
2 88 R OG E R B A CON

p l a y o f t h e e l e m e nts 0 1 o f som e O f t h e e l e m,
e nts f rom whi c h ,

a ll things w e r e su p p os e d t o b e f o r m e d Th e subst a n ce o f .

t h e e l e m e nts w a s so m e thing or som e c ondition c ommon , ,

to th e m a ll an d t o all things p rodu ce d by th e i r int e r ac tions

,
.

St e ph a nus s aid : Though t h e qu aliti e s o f t h e e l e m e nts

a re c ontr a ry th e ir subst a n c e s a re not c ontr a ry P a r a c e lsus ’
.
,

s p oke thus o f t h e ai m o f al c h e m y To g r a s p t h e invisibl e

e l e m e nts to a tt r a c t th e m by th e ir m at e ri a l c orr e s p ond e n c e s
, ,

to c ontrol pu r i fy and tr a ns form th e m by t h e living p ow e r

, ,

o f t h e S p irit this is tru e Al c h e my ’

—
.

Th a t we m a y t r y to g e t a som e wh a t c l e a r e r c onc e p tion

O f al c h e mi c a l t e a c hing a bout t h e e l e m e nts l e t us h e a r wh a t ,

St e ph anus s aid
God h as m a d e t h e unive rs e o f four e l e m e nts e arth , ,

a ir,
fi re a n d w a t e r
,
Th e s e f o u r e l e m e nts . b e ing c o n ,

t r a ry o n e to a noth e r c o u ld not c ombin e i f it w e r e not ,

fo r t h e int e r v e ntion o f a body with t h e qu aliti e s o f t h e

two e xtr e m e s Thus t h e fi re O f q ui c ksilve r j oins its e l f
.
,

to t h e w at e r by t h e m e di ation o f t h e e arth Th e w a t e r .

is j oin e d to t h e a i r o f qui c ksilve r by t h e fi re o f c 0 pp e r .

Fir e b e ing hot a n d d ry produ c e s t h e h e a t o f ai r and t h e

, ,

d ryn e ss o f e a rth Th e moist an d c old w at e r p rodu c e s t h e

.

"
humidity o f air an d t h e c oldn e ss o f e ar th an d so on an d , ,

so on .

Th e guiding c on ce ption s e e ms to h a v e b e e n th at
though e ac h o f t h e f o u r e l e m e nts h as its own p ro p e rti e s ,

th e r e is som e thing und e rlying t h e pro pe rti e s som e t hi ng , ,

som e c ondition whi c h is t h e m atrix wh e r e in the s e p ro p e rti e s

,

ar e se t a n d th a t this som e thin g is c o m mon to a ll t h e e l e

,

m e nts This hy p oth e ti c al a lmost int angibl e und e rlying

.
, ,

som e thing must b e c ontroll e d a n d dir e c t e d By pro p e rly .

m ani pul a ting this c ommon f ound ation t h e e l e m e nts ,

i t wa s t a ught — c an b e tr a nsmut e d o n e into a noth e r Th e .

first st e p in this p ro c e ss is to t e ar off t h e outward p ro pe rti es

o f things St e ph anus wrot e thus 2
.

Q u ot d b y B th lot l o c ci t p 2 7 4
e er e , . .
, . .

2
Ibid .
, pp . 2 7 6 —7 .
 A LCH EMY AND CH EMI S TRY 289

It is n e c e ss ary to stri p m att e r o f its p ro p e rti e s in ord e r

to draw out t h e soul to s e p ar at e it from th e body in ord e r to
,

a rriv e at p e r fe c tion Co p p e r is lik e m e n it h as a soul and

.
,

a body . Th e soul is t h e most subtil e p art th a t is to

s ay t h e tinctori a l s pirit
,
Th e body is t h e thing th a t is h e a vy
.
,

t e rr e stri al a n d is e ndowe d with a sh adow A ft e r a s e ri e s o f

,
.

p ro pe r tr e atm e nts c o p pe r b e c om e s without a sh a dow a nd

,

be tt e r th a n gold I t is n e c e ss a ry t o stri p m a tt e r
. how °

c a n it b e stri p p e d i f not by m e a ns o f t h e fi e r y m e d rc i ne ?
Wh at is it t o stri p m att e r i f not t o m ak e it p oor to s p oil it t o , ,

br e ak it up to p ut it t o d e ath
,
rn ord e r th a t t h e s p irit
may b e brought into a fit st a t e f or c ombining and so a e com
p li s hi n
g t h e d e sir e d o p e r a tion [tr a ns m ut a tion]

I h a v e s a id th a t t h e a l c h e mists f ound t h e ch ang e s o f

m at e ri al things too h ard to unr ave l a n d th a t th e y turn e d ,

a w a y from th e m a nd d e v e lo p e d a sch e m e on whi c h th e y

,

su pp os e d n atur e must p roc e e d and th e n proj e ct e d th e ir ,

mind m ad e s c h e m e on t o e xt e rn al n atur e Th e y found

-
.

som e just ifi c at i on Of th e ir s c h e me in fac ts whi c h th e y

obs e rve d Th e y c e rt ainly found no gr e a t d ifli c ulty in
.

d e scribing obs e rv e d fac ts in t h e l angu ag e o f th e ir intro

s p ec t i v e ly c onstru c t e d p l a n For inst an ce whe n m e r c ury
.
,

is rubb e d o n a p i e c e o f co ppe r t he sur fac e o f t h e co ppe r

,

b e c om e s whit e a nd ve ry lustrous c o pp e r forms alloys with

m any m e t als a nd th e p ro p e rti e s o f th e s e a lloys diffe r from
,

thos e o f th e ir c onstitu e nt m e t als ; solutions O f c o ppe r in

a cids may b e us e d fo r c olouring gl a ss e s a nd e n a m e ls .

Th e s e fac ts or fa c ts lik e th e s e s e e m t o h av e b e e n in t h e
, ,

mind o f St e ph anus wh e n h e wrot e :

Co ppe r is bl e ac h e d a n d d e s p oil e d by m e r c ury Th e l a tt e r .

is fixe d by its union with c o p pe r Th e c o pp e r do e s not

.

tint but it r e c e iv e s t h e tin c tur e a n d a ft e r it h as r e c e ive d

, ,

t h e tinctur e it tints [oth e r

,

H aving quot e d th e s e r e m arks and othe r obs e rva tions ,

lik e th e s e from St e ph anus B e rth e lot s ays :

, ,

H e r e we put our fing e r on t h e p ositive fac ts and th e indus

tri al pro ce ss e s whi c h s e r ve d a s a f ound a tion for t he the ori e s
o f t h e a l c h e mists T h e y g a v e pr é c ision to th e ir id e a [o f
.

1 68 9
U
 R OG E R B A CO N

a p rim a ry m a tt e r o
,
n e a n d showi
,
n g m a ny f orms ] som e tim e s ,

by simil e s t ak e n from ind ustri a l a r ts whi c h p r odu c e dive rs e

a p p e a r a n c e s f rom o n e a n d t h e s a m e m at e r i a l so m e tim e s ,

by mor e p r o fo und c om p ariso ns bor r owe d fro m t he c h e mi c a l

industri e s o f dye ing and m aking gl a ss e s a nd e n a m e ls .
’

Th e old e r al c h e mists turn e d a wa y fro m n atur al e ve nts ,

too h ar d fo r th e m t o bring into o rd e r by looking a t th e m

dir e c tly a nd for me d a pl an on whi c h th e y s aid n a tur e
, , ,

ought to work on whi c h t h e r e for e n atur e works Th e y

, , ,
.

r e t u rn e d to n a tur al e ve nts with th e ir pl an in th e ir h ands ,

a n d grubb e d a bout till th e y f ound fac ts whi c h c ould b e

fi t t e d into th e ir p l a n .

I su p p os e th e ir a rgum e nt ra n so m e wh a t thus Th e .

hum an mind c r a v e s sim pli c ity I f e xt e rn al n atur e is not .

a d e c e it ful show we m ust find sim p li c ity th e r e

, All t he .

c h a nging a n d p e r p l e xing a p p e a r a n c e s whi c h troubl e us

a r e m a ni fe st a tions o f a n und e rlying sim pli c ity a nd unity .

Wh a t is th a t und e rlying unity Wis e me n o f old h av e told

us th at all m a t e ri al things a re fo r m e d by t h e int e rp l a y
o f f our e l e m e nts — e a rth w a t e r fi r e ,
a i r— d ryn e ss we tn ess
, , , ,

hotn e ss c oldn e ss Th e four e l e m e nts are c ontr a ry o ne

, .

t o anoth e r ; knowl e dg e o f th e m is a st e p t o knowl e dg e o f

The On e Thi n g o f whi c h th e y a re e x p r e ssions th e r e must
b e th e r e is a p rim a ry m a tt e r wh e r e o f t h e f our e l e m e nts
, ,

are t h e sim p l e st f orms Th e int e r ac tions o f t h e e l e m e nts

.

a r e dir e c t e d by The On e T hi n g whi c h is c ommon t o th e m a ll ,

a n d t o a ll things f orm e d by t h e u nion o f th e m The On e .

Thi ng is hidd e n und e r t h e four e x p r e ssions o f its e l f Th e .

f our outw a rd f orms o f t h e int e rn a l unity a re con c e a l e d by

t h e v ari e g a t e d c ov e rings whi c h n a tur e h as l a id 0 11 th e m ,

in ord e r t o in c it e me n t o s e a r c h for h e r hidd e n sim pli c ity ,

a s i m p licity s h e r e v e als onl y to thos e who ar e not lur e d

from t h e qu e st by t h e f a s c in a ting c o m pl e xity o f s up e rfi c i al

a pp ea r a n c e s . Th e first st e p in t h e qu es t o f The One Thi ng

t
B er h e l o t ,
lo c . cit .
, p . 27 8 .
2 92 R OG E R B A CON

Gold is t he ty pe o f r e s t ful p e r fe c tion ; th e r e for e n ature

m e ans all m e t als to b e c o m e gold I n his d e alings with .

m e t als t h e a d e p t must try to do in a m om e nt wh at n atur e

,

do e s in t e n thous and y e ars h e must tr a nsmut e th e m into

gold Wh e n t h e s a g e h as found t h e instrum e nt whi c h
.

e ffe c ts t h e gr e a t tr a nsmut a tion h e will h a v e f ound t h e e lixir ,

whi c h will b e stow 0 11 hi m s e l f a nd on oth e r m e n worthy ,

to r e c e iv e it t h e bl e ssing o f a long h e alth ful h a p py li fe

, , , .

For Rog e r B ac on s a ys in Opus Terti u m we d i e mu c h ,

soon e r th an we ought t o d ie a nd this is b e c a us e o f d e fe e

tiv e r e gim e n o f h e a lth from youth onwa rd a nd b e c a us e our ,

f a th e rs giv e us a c orru p t constitution b e c a us e o f t h e s a m e ,

d e fe c t in th e ir r e gi m e n h e n c e old age c om e s soon e r a nd ,

d e ath b e for e t h e tim e God h ath a pp oint e d .

’

Th e dis c ov e ry o f t h e e lixir a n d o f t h e m e a ns o f c ontroll ing

,

it w as t he c e ntr al a i m o f p r a c ti c al a l c h e m y
,
.

I n t h e S pecul u m A lc hi mi ae g e n e r ally tho ugh doubt fully , , ,

a ttribut e d to Rog e r B a c on a l c h e my is d e fin e d thus

2
,

Al c h e my is t h e Art 0 1 S c i e n c e t e a c hing how to m ake

or g e n e r a t e a c e rt a in kind o f m e di c i n e whi c h is c all e d th e ,

E lixir a nd whi c h b e ing p roj e c t e d u p on Me t a ls or im pe r fe c t

, , ,

B odi e s by thoroughly T inging a n d fi x i ng th e m p e r fe c ts

, ,

th e m in t h e high e st d e gr e e e ve n in t h e v e ry mom e nt o f ,

Proj e c tion .
’

I n t h e Opu s Te rti u m
undoubt e dly writt e n by him Rog e r
, ,

Ba con s a ys ( I quot e from p lxxx o f B r e w e r s p r e fac e t o

’
.

F r Roger i B acon
. o p er a qu a e d a m ha cten us i nedi ta)

Th e r e
is an o pe r ative or pr ac ti c al a l c h e my whi c h t e ac h e s
m an how to m a k e nobl e m e t a ls an d c olo u r s an d m a ny oth e r ,

things b e tt e r a nd m o r e c o piously by art th a n by n a tu r e And

, .

this s c i e n ce is mor e im p ort ant th a n all th at h a ve p r e c e d e d

Op u s Te r ti u m ( B re w e r ti on )
’

,
x ii .
40 s edi .

2
I quo tefrom p 6 2 2 of t h e r
. t a ns l a t i on of Spe cu lum A l chi mi a e
ma d e b y W illi a m S a l m o n P r o f e s s or , of Ph y s i c k ,
Li v i n g at the
B lu e B al l b y t h e D i
-
t c h si d e ,
n e ar H o lb o rn B ri d g e ,
’

p ub li sh e d i n
1692 .
 A LCH EMY AND CH EMI S TRY

[h e h as alr e a dy s p ok e n o f m a ny sci e n c e s] b e c a us e it is produ c

tive o f mor e a dva nt ag e I t not only p rovid e s m on e y for
.

a St a t e but t e a c h e s t h e a r t o f p rolonging li fe so far a s n a tur e

, ,

wil l allow it t o b e p rolong e d .

’

How is t h e Elixir t o b e m a d e ? How sh all h e pro c e e d who

s e e ks t o p rodu c e t h e fi e ry m e di c in e (as som e al c h e mists
c all e d it ) whi c h brings i m pe r fe c t bodi e s t o t he high est
d egre e o f p e r fe c tion ?
Th e writ e r o f S pecul u m A l chi mi a e b e gins by c o m p l a ining o f
t h e m a ny w a ys an d div e rs e m a nn e rs in whi c h t h e An c i e nt
Philoso ph e r s h av e d e live r e d th e ms e lve s of the

Ae nigm as or Riddl e s wh e r e with th e y h a v e wholly Cloud e d ,

an d l e ft sh a dow e d t o us t h e most Nobl e S c i e n c e an d a s

, ,

it w e r e und e r a V e il o f De s pe r ation h av e wholly d e nye d ,

Us t he knowl e dg e th e re o f Whil e a d m itting th at t h e

a n c i e nt philoso p h e rs h a d c a us e fo r hiding th e ir s e c r e ts

from t h e unl e a rn e d c r e w t h e writ e r o f S pe cu lu m A l

’

c hi mi a e c l a ims th a t t h e dir e c t ions whi c h h e will giv e c a n b e

und e rstood by thos e who a re fi t t e d t o u nd e rst a nd th e m .

H e s a ys I h av e in t h e following Ch ap t e rs d e c l a r e d (m or e
,

p l a inly th a n is t a ught in a ny oth e r writings ) t h e whol e Art

o f t h e Tr a ns form a tion o f Me t a ls
’
.

I n t h e s e qu e l I w i ll quot e som e O f Rog e r B a c on s d i re c

’

tions fo r m a king t h e P hi losopher s Egg Me anwhil e l e t us ’

.
,

noti c e his p rot e st a g ainst thos e who p r ac tis e d m agi cal a rts ,

a n d c l a im e d a l c h e my to b e o n e o f th e s e a rts Th e Epi s tol a e .

Rogeri i B aconi s de s ecr eti s o p e r i bu s a r ti s et n a tu r a e et de

n ull i ta te ma gi a e r d in
a pp e a e En glish in 1 6 5 9, with the
titl e F ri er B acon hi s D i s covery f the mi r acles of A rt N atur e
o , ,

a ndM a gi ck f a i thf ully,

tra n s l a ted out of D r D ees own copy .
,

by T M a nd n eve r bef ore i n E ngl i s h

. .
,
th at book Rog e r . In ,

B ac on w a rns his r e a d e rs a g a inst b e ing d e lud e d by untrust

worthy e vid e n c e H e s ays : Wh e n in anim a t e things are
.

viol e ntly mov e d e ith e r in t h e morning or e v e ning twi

,

light e x pe c t no truth th e r e in but downright c h e a ting and

, ,
2 94 R OG E R B A CON

Th a t
wa rning should b e t ake n to h e art by all
’
c o use n ag e .

inquir e rs into wh a t are c all e d o c c ult ph e nom e n a He s p e aks ’

.

of t h e d a mn a bl e p r ac tic e of c a lling up wi c k e d s p irits

Of books whi c h d e al with str a ng e a nd wond e r ful things ,

h e s a ys : Th e B ook whi c h dis c ov e rs n a tur a l or art ifi c i al

o pe r a tions e mbr ac e ; th at whi c h is void o f e ithe r l e ave
, , ,

both as s uspi t i ous and unworthy th e c onsid e r ation o f

a ny wis e ma n H e th e n p ro ce e ds Th a t I m ay t h e b e tt e r
’ 2
.

d e monstr at e t h e in fe riority and indignity o f m agi c al pow e r

t o th at o f Natur e and Art I sh all awhil e dis c ours e on suc h ,

a dmir a bl e o p e r a tions o f Art a n d Na tur e as h a v e not t h e

l e ast m agi ck in th e m a ft e rwa rds a ssign th e m th e ir c aus e s

,

a nd Fr a m e s And first o f su c h Engin e s as a re p ur e ly

.

art i fi c i al H e s a ys it is p ossibl e t o m ak e a c h ariot move

.
’

with an in e stim abl e s wi ftn e ss a n d this motion to b e

without t h e h e l p o f any living c r e atur e It is p ossibl e

to m ak e Engin e s fo r flyi ng a m an sitting in t h e midst ,

wh e r e o f on e ly turning about an I nstru m e nt whi c h mov e s

, ,

ar t ifi c i al Wings m a d e t o b ea t t h e Air e mu c h aft e r the ,

f ashion o f a B ird s flight H e d e s c r ib e s instrum e nts 3

’ ’
.

fo r us e in o p ti e s m agni fying a n d r e du c ing gl ass e s burning

, ,

gl ass e s instrum e nts for so re fining s i lve r a nd othe r m e t als

,

th at at l ast gold is obt ain e d an e xp losive p owd e r whi c h

c a us e s hid e ous c r ac klings and is abl e t o d e stroy a rmi e s
a n d oth e r m a rv e llous E ngin e s
Th e s e things a r e wond e r ful but— Rog e r B a con insists ,

th e y are not m agi c al ; th e y are produ c e d by hum a n art

a p p li e d to t h e r e sults o f t h e study Of n a tur a l e v e nts Bac on .

a ss e rts th a t ar t c an im p rov e on n a tur e Na tur e is p ot e nt .

a nd a dmir a bl e in h e r working
ye t Art using t h e a dv a nt ag e , ,

o f n a t ur e as a n instrum e nt ( e x e ri e n c e t e lls us ) is o f gr e at e r
p
e ffi c a c y th a n any n a tur a l a c tivity Na tur e do e s not
’
5
.

know how thoroughly to c l e ans e and is ignor a nt how to ,

S e cre ts f
o N a ture and A rt,
cha
p i . .
2
Ib i d c h ap . i ii .
'

3
Ib i d ch a p . iv, Ib i d c h ap . vi .
5
Ibl d ch a p . iii .
2 96 R OG E R B A CON

c o nfi d e n c e don e by c h arm e s ; for th e y m ak e th e P ati e nt

r e c e ive t h e m e di c in e with gr e at e r c onfid e nc e a nd d e sire
e x c iting c our ag e mor e lib e r a l b eli e f ho pe an d pl e asur e
, , .

Without s a ying th at th e y a c t as figur e s and c h arm e s

a c t in m e di c in e B a c on r e c omm e nds t h e u se o f holy w a t e r
, ,

a nd oth e r simil a r pr ac ti c e s a llow e d by t h e Church .

Th e obj e ct O f p r a c ti c a l a l c h e my wa s h e ld by t h e a lch e mists

t o b e th e p r e par a tion o f the El i xi r t h e Hea venly Water th e , ,

Fi ery M edi ci ne t h e P hoeni x t h e M agi stery whi c h would bring

, , ,

t o p e r fe c tion all im pe r fe ct bodi e s a nd c on fe r on him who kn e w ,

how rightly to us e it a long h e althy and vigorous li fe How , , .

was this m e di c in e t o b e m a d e ? Wh e n giving dir e ctions

fo r m aking t h e Elixir t h e a l c h e mists n e v e r forgot th at th e ir
,

s e cr e ts w e r e not to b e m ad e known to t h e multitud e Th e y .

e x p r e ss e d th e ms e lve s in obs c ur e misl e ading l a ngu ag e ,

.

One o f th e ir f avourit e d e vi c e s wa s to hid e th e ir m e a ning

in an all e gory As illustr a tive o f al c h e mi c al a ll e gori e s
.
,

I giv e a quot ation from P reti osa M a rga r i ta writt e n by ,

B onus o f F e rr ar a who p rob a bly liv e d in t h e first h al f o f

,

t h e f ourt e e nth c e ntury Th e quot ation is t a k e n from

.

p p 3 47 o f Mr A E W a it e s tr a nsl a tion p ublish e d in

’

. 8— . . .
,

1 8 94 with t h e titl e T he N ew P ear l of Gr ea t P r i ce

, I h a ve .

omitt e d p arts o f t h e origin al in ord e r th at t h e quot ation ,

should not b e ove r long -

Thr e e rul e s must b e c ar e ful ly obs e rv e d in our art first

p pr e a r e t h e right subst a n c e th e n c a r ry on t h e work co n

t i nuo usly so th a t it m a y not b e m a rr e d by in t e r m pt io n ;

,

thirdly b e p ati e nt and follow a lw ays in t h e footst e ps

, ,

o f Na tur e . Ge t ( on your subst a n c e ) highly p ur ifi e d Wat e r

o f Li fe a n d k e e p it ;
,
but do not su pp os e th at t h e liquid
whi c h moist e ns all things is t h e bright a nd lirn pi d liquid
o f B a c c hus For whil e you a nxiously look about in out o i
.
-

t h e way p l ac e s for e xtr a ordin ary e v e nts you pa ss by t h e

-
,

s parkling w a ve s o f t h e bl e ss e d st r e am Ent e r t h e P al ac e .

in whi c h are fift e e n m ansions wh e r e t h e king his brow , ,

c ir c l e d with t h e di a d e m sits on a lo fty thron e holding , ,

S e cr e ts f N a ture
o and A rt ,
c h ap . ii .
 A LCH EMY AND CH EMI S TRY 2 97

in his h and t h e s c e ptr e o f t h e whol e world ; b e for e him ,

his son and fi ve s e rv ants kn e e l in rob e s o f diffe r e nt c olours ,

im ploring him to b e stow on his son a n d his s e rvants a sh a r e

o f his p ow e r but h e do e s not e v e n r e ply t o th e ir r e qu e st .

Th e son in c it e d by t h e s e rv a nts st a bs t h e fa th e r as h e sits

, ,

on th e thron e ( Le t an am alg am b e m ad e with highly puri fie d

.

w at e r &c ) Th e son c a t c h e s his fa th e r s blood in his rob e

,
.
’
.

A gra v e is dug in t h e fourth m ansion In t h e fi ft h .

m ansion th e son thought t o throw his fath e r into t he gr av e

, ,

a nd t o l e a v e him th e r e but ( by m e a ns o f our art ) both fe ll

in tog e th e r Th e sixth m ansion is th at in whi c h t h e son
.

still strive s t o ge t out but o ne c om e s a n d p r e v e nts him

, ,

f rom so doing Wh il e t h e fa th e r an d t h e son are in t he

.

tomb whi c h is c all e d t h e s e ve nth m a nsion th e r e follows

, ,

p u tr e f a ct ion in th e ir a sh e s or a v e ry hot b a th , I n the .

e ighth m a nsion th at whi c h h a ppe n e d during t h e p utr e

,

f a c tion is ins p e c t e d t h e v a s e h a ving b e c om e c old &c

,
In , .

t h e ninth m a nsion t h e bon e s a r e t a k e n fr om t h e tomb

, .

This h ap p e ns wh e n t h e whol e body h as b e e n dissolv e d by

su c c e ssive solution whi c h b e ing don e k e e p it c a r e fully
, .

I n th e t e nth m a nsion t h e bon e s a r e di v rd e d into nin e p a rts

, ,

t h e dissolv e d subst a n c e b e ing subj e c t e d to g e ntl e c o c tion

f o r nin e d a ys till a p ortion o f it turns bl ac k
,
R e move this .

l att e r and k e e p it in a noth e r v e ss e l in a hot pl a c e Subj e c t

,
.

t h e w a t e r t o g e ntl e h e a t f o r a noth e r nin e d a ys Ag a in .

r e move th at whi c h h as turn e d bl ac k a nd put it with t he r e st , .

Continu e t h e o p e r a tion till t h e w a t e r is c l e a r a nd p ur e Le t .

its Wa t e r o f Li fe b e p our e d ove r t h e bl ac k subst an c e in

a sm a ll gl a ss v e ss e l so th at it sh all flo a t ove r it to t h e
,

h e ight o f a n in c h a nd l e t it st a nd nin e d a ys ove r a g e ntl e

,

fi re r e n e wing t h e w a t e r e v e ry d a y i f n e ce ss a ry
,
An ,
.

a ng e l is s e nt who c a sts t h e bon e s on t he puri fied a nd

,

whit e n e d e ar th In t h e e l e v e nth m ansion t h e s e rv a nts

.

p r a y t o God to r e stor e th e ir king H e n c e forth t h e whole .

work is c on ce r n e d with his r e stor a tion A s e c ond a ng e l .

is s e nt in t h e twe l fth m a nsion who p l ac e s t h e oth e r pa rt ,

o f thos e bon e s on t h e e ar th till th e y are all thicke n e d ; ,

the n a wond e rful thing h app e ns .

’

Th e ll e gory th e n t e lls o f th e c oming o f m a ny a ng e ls who

a

c a st oth e r p ortions o f t h e bon e s on t h e e a rth a n d p ro c e e ds ,

thus Th e n t h e king ris e s from t h e tomb full o f t h e ,

gr ac e o f God His body is now all s p iritu al and h e a ve nly

.
,

a nd h e h as p ow e r to m ak e al l his s e rv a nts kings

’
.
2 98 R OG E R B A CON

The ll e gory fi nish e s with this warning an d e n c our ag e

a

m e nt Le t no im p ostor gr e e dy o r wi c k e d p e rson tou c h

, ,

this glo r ious wo r k with his un c l e a n h ands Le t t h e hone st .

m a n a n d h i m o f a wis e h e a rt c om e hith e r a nd h i m who is ,

c apa bl e o f e x ploring t h e most hidd e n c aus e s o f things .

’

Th e P r eti osa M argari ta o f B onus was e dit e d by J a nus

La c i ni us a n d p ublish e d in 1 5 46 by t h e V e n e ti a n p r e ss o f
,

Aldus In his book Lac ini us in c lud e s e xtr ac ts from t he

.
,

works o f Arn ald d e V ill a nova in whic h t h e c om position o f ,

t h e Philoso p h e r s Ston e is p r a c ti c ally a nd luc idly s e t

’

f orth To show wh a t a l c h e mists c onsid e r e d a lu c id s e tting

f orth o f t h e p r a c ti c e o f th e ir a rt I giv e a fe w e xtr a c ts from ,

Arn ald d e V ill a nova quoting from Mr W a it e s New P earl

,
.
’

of Gr ea t P ri ce ( pp 3 1 3 .
— 16 )
O ur p hysi c a l Ston e m ay b e obt a in e d from all m e t a ls
but it is found in t h e high e st p e r fe c tion in gold and silve r .

Gold is t h e fa th e r an d silve r t h e m oth e r o f th e proxi m at e

,

subst an c e o f our Ston e fo r o ut o f th e s e bodi e s pr e p ar e d

, ,

with th e ir sul phur or a rs e ni c is our m e di c in e e li c it e d, .

I t is f ound n e a r e r to t h e h a nd a n d m or e e a s i ly in qui c k , ,

silve r whi c h is
,
t h e root o f all m e t a ls Th a t whi c h .

is now our Ston e is not qui c ksilv e r but on c e fo r m e d p a rt ,

o f it . D o not wo r k with a nything e x c e p t Me r c ury and t h e

Sun for th e Sun and Me r c ury an d t h e Moon for t h e Moon
,
.

Your first st e p must b e t o bring about t h e dissolution o f

gold an d silve r i nto q u i c ksilve r U nl e ss t h e bodi e s .

b e c o m e in c or p or e al an d t h e s p irits c or p or e al no p rogr ess

, ,

will b e m a d e . B odi e s wh e n dissolve d b e c om e s piritu al

in th e ir n at ur e solution Of t h e body m e ans t h e c o a gul a
tion o f t h e s pirit and vi ce ve rs a
, .
’

Dir e c tions are giv e n f o r c l e a nsing Me r c ury Pound and

c ook with p ati e n c e a nd r e it e r a t e t h e p ro c e ss a g a in a nd
,

ag a in . At l ast t h e Me rcury will b e dissolve d it is th e n

’

to b e e x p os e d to a g e ntl e h e a t for its b e tt e r p utr e fac tion

a nd dig e stion during t h e s p ac e o f a month o f t h e S ag e s
I t is th e n to b e sublim e d th e n subj e ct e d to a c o c tion t ill
,

it is r e du c e d to its first n atur e th a t is till we h a ve sul phur , ,

an d qui c ksilv e r ( W it s tr nsl tion ’

1 3 2 0
a e a a
pp 3 9 ,
.
, ,
 R OG E R BA CON

tra c t at e is g e n e r ally a ttribut e d t o Rog e r B ac on som e

a utho r iti e s doubt t h e a u th e nti c ity o f t h e l a t e r c h ap t e rs .

Th e dir e c tions fo r m a king t h e Egg b e gin a s follows ( I quot e

f rom t he E nglish tr a nsl a tion p ublish e d in 1 6 5 9)

Mak e dilig e nt purific at io n o f t h e Calx with t h e w at e r o f

a

A l kal i a n d oth e r a cut e w a t e r s g r ind it by s e v e r a l c ontri

, ,

tions with t h e s alts an d burn it with m any as sa t i ons th at

, ,

t h e e a rth m a y b e p e r fe ctly s e p a r a t e d f r o m oth e r e l e m e nts .

Und e rst a nd if you c a n Th e n t ak e o yl o f t h e fo r m

.

o f a s a ffron c h e e s e -
a n d so vis c ous a s not t o b e smitt e n
,

a sund e r by a s t r o ak divid e t h e whol e fi e ry virtu e and

, ,

s e pa r at e it by dissolution an d le t it b e dissolve d in ac ut e,

wa t e r o f a t e m p e r a t e ac ut e ne s s e with a slight fi re and le t

, , ,

it b e b oyle d till his fat n e s se a s t h e fat ne sse o f fl e sh b e ,

s e p ar a t e d by distill ation th at nothing o f t h e un c t iousne ss e

,

may issu e f orth ; an d le t this fi e ry virtu e b e distill e d in

t h e w a t e r o f Urin e a n d so 0 11 for thr e e or f o u r p a g e s .

Mind a n d s e ar c h wh at I s a y fo r t h e s p e e c h is diffi c ul t ,
.

Y ou must obs e rv e wh e th e r I s p e ak ae nigm at i c ally or a cc ord

ing to t h e truth Th e dir e c tions f o r m a king t h e Egg
.
’

finish thus F are we ll Who e ve r unlo c ks th e s e h ath ,

a k e y whi c h o p e ns a n d no m an shuts a n d wh e n h e h ath

shut no m an o pe ns
, .
’

In thos e wr itings whi c h are ac knowl e dg e d by all authoriti e s

to b e g e nuin e Rog e r B a con insists on t h e n e e d o f obs e rva
,

tion an d e x pe rim e nt fo r a tt a ining t o r e al knowl e dg e o f

n atur a l e v e nts For inst a n c e in Opus Terti um (xiii 43
.
, .
,

Br e w e r s e dition ) h e s a ys : B e sid e s th e s e s c i e n c e s th e r e
’

is o ne mor e p e r fe c t th a n th e m all on whi c h t h e oth ers ,

a tt e nd , whi c h c e rt i fie s ( certifi ca t) th e m a ll in a wond e rf ul

wa y a nd this is c al l e d e x p e rim e nt a l s c i e n ce ( s ci e nti a experi
H e d e c l a r e s th a t this s c i e n c e is su p e rior to oth e r
s c i e n c e s in th a t it t e sts a rgum e nts by a pp e aling to e xp eri
,

e nc e. In dis c ussing n a tur a l p h e nom e n a t h e o nl y t e st , ,

a c c ording to Bac on is e xp e ri e n c e , a rgum e nt alon e is

wort hl e ss This s c i e n c e not only giv e s t o thos e who us e it

.

a sound knowl e dg e o f n a tur e it a lso t e a c h e s t h e ossibiliti e s

p,

o f n a ture a n d ar t a n d t h e nullity o f m agi c .

 A LCH EMY AND CH EMI S T R Y 30 1

Rog e r B a con s m e nt a l a ttitud e toward n atur a l e ve nts

’

was n e ar e r t o th at o f t h e s c i e ntifi c stud e nt th an to th a t o f

t h e a l c h e m ists e ith e r b e f or e or a ft e r his tim e We do not .

find in his wr iti ngs v agu e t alk a bout s tri ppi ng matter of
i ts properti es a bout i nvi s i ble el ements a bout the soul of
, ,

bodi es a bout The One T hi ng a n d so on

, , He o p p os e s t h e
.

a l c h e mi c a l do c trin e o f o n e p rim a ry m a tt e r as b e ing h arm f ul ,

to th e inv e stig ation o f n atur e W e sh all appr e c i at e t h e .

im port an c e o f this de ni a l o f prim ary m att e r mor e fully as

we p ro c e e d Th e dir e c tions fo r m aking t h e Ph i loso ph e r s
’
.

Egg giv e n in t h e M i rr or o f A l che my a nd in The S ecrets of ,

Na ture a nd A rt c los e ly r e s e mbl e thos e cont a in e d in ordin a ry

,

a lch e mi ca l writings Th e r e is in th e m t h e v a gu e t a lk t h e
.
,

h azin e ss t h e thinking in im ag e s o f words r ath e r th an in im ag e s

,

o f things ,whi c h are t h e m arks o f most books on pr a cti c al

alch e my . Wh e n o n e c ontr asts t h e dir e c tions parts o f whi c h ,

I h av e quot e d with t h e writings o f B ac on on s p é c ul a tiv e

,

and p r ac ti c a l a l c h e my o n e h as gr a v e doubts as t o t he
,

g e nuin e n e ss o f th e s e dir e c tions ; the y do not r e ad lik e

wh at on e would e x pe c t B ac on t o h a ve writt e n j udging from ,

his oth e r works His r e m arks on s pe c ul a tive and p r a cti c al

.

al c h e my in t h e Opus M i nus a nd Opus T er ti um in c lin e o ne

t o pl ac e B ac on a m ong t h e ch e mists r a th e r th an a mong t he

alch e mists . Ce rt a inly we n e e d not go to him t o find d e fi n i te
dire c tions for m aking t h e wond e r working Ston e o f t h e -

Philoso ph e rs .

In his book Gunpowder a nd A mmuni ti on a nd a lso in ,

his e ss a y in this volum e Colon e l Him e e st a blishe s a l arg e

,

p rob a bility in f a vou r o f r e g a r ding t h e c h a p t e rs o f D e S e cr eti s

whi c h pro fe ss to s e t f orth two m e thods fo r m aking the

Philoso ph e r s Egg as r e ally c ont aining dir e c tions for
’

p uri f ying s a lt p e tr e a n d m aking gun p owd e r c on ce a l e d in ,

a s e tting o f a l c h e mi c a l j a rgon I h a v e quot e d f rom th e s e

.

ch ap t e rs fo r t h e p ur pos e o f showing th at no light is to b e

obt ain e d from t he words as the y st and on t h e pro c e ss th e y
30 2 R OG E R BA CON

a re su pp os e d to d e s c rib e I t is to b e r e m e mb e r e d th a t no
.

int e lligibl e di re c tions fo r m aking t h e Ston e c an b e obt a in e d

from a n y a l c h e mi c al writing .

Wh a t was Rog e r Ba c on s c on ce p tion o f al c h e m y ? I n

’

a tt e m p ting to a nsw e r this qu e s tion it will b e n e c e ss a ry t o ,

r e fe r t o his notions a bo u t m a tt e r s ubst an c e fo rm and , , ,

a c tivity ; I sh all b e a r in mind th a t t h e e x p osi t ion o f his

t e ac hing on th e s e subj e c ts b e longs m or e to t h e e ss a ys 0 11
B ac on s r e l a tions to p hysi c a l s c i e n c e a nd t o philoso phy
’

, ,

th an to th at on t h e c h e mi c a l as p e c ts o f his work .

Al c h e mists both b e fo re and a ft e r Rog e r B ac on form e d

, , ,

fro m th e ir int e ll e c tu a l a nd e motion a l longings a s c h e m e ,

o f n a tur e s m e thod o f wo r king a n d th e n obs e rv e d n a tur a l

’

c h a ng e s through t h e distort e d gl ass o f th e ir im a ginings .

B ac on a t l e a st tri e d to look first a t e xt e r n al r e ali t i e s a nd to ,

b a s e his i nt e ll e c tu al e x pl a n ation o f m at e ri al c h ang e s on

obs e rve d fac ts I n his Opus Te rti u m ( xiii 46 Br e we r s
. .
,
’

e dition ) h e s a ys O f e x p e r im e nt al s c i e n c e : This s c i e n c e
works by p e r fe c t e x p e rim e nts not by ar g u m e nts a s pur ely,

s pe c ul ativ e s c i e n ce do e s not by w e ak a nd im p e r fe c t e x pe ri
,

m e nts as o p e r a tiv e s c i e n c e do e s Th e r e for e this is t h e lord.

,

o f all s c i e n c e s a n d t h e e n d o f all s p e c ul a tion Ag ain in ’

.
, ,

t h e s a m e p l a c e h e s a ys Th e m an who r e j e c ts a nythin g
,

ought t o know t h e n atur e and c ir c u m st a nc e s o f th a t thing ,

and so r e j e c t wh a t is fa ls e th a t wh a t is tru e m ay r e m a in
,

unim p air e d In t h e pr e c e ding c h apt e r ( p 4 1 )o f t h e Opus Ter

.
’
.

ti um h e a ss e rts th a t m a ny l a bour to m a k e m e t a ls a nd
, ,

colours and oth e r things without a r e al p r ac ti ca l ac quain

, ,

t a nc e with t h e m e thods o f t h e l abor atory Th e r e a re fe w .

who know how to distil p ro pe rly how t o sublim e and to ,

c al c in a t e how to s e p ar at e things Th e r e are not thr e e

’
.
,

me n a mong t h e Latins who h av e give n th e ms e lve s t o t hi s

th a t th e y m ay know s p é c ul ative al c h e my which c a nnot ,

b e known without t h e o p e r a tions o f p r a c ti c al a l c h e my .

Th e r e is only o n e man B a c on s a ys who is instruct e d ,

30 4 R OG E R B A CON

How diffe re nt this is from th e gib e o f th e mod e rn absolutist

p hiloso p h e rs a g a inst t h e irr e l e v a nt a p p e als to
p r a cti c a l
r e sults whic h are a llowe d to m ak e th e ms e lve s h e ard Of
t h e m a ny e x p e ri e n c e s whi c h philoso ph e rs o f t h e absolutist
school s ay c r e at e a p assing show o f arbitr a ry v ari ation
th e s e s am e philoso ph e rs a ss e rt th at th e y th e ms e lve s and ,

t h e m ann e r o f th e ir c onn e xion are e x c lud e d from t h e th e ory

,

o f knowl e dg e Not only was Rog e r B ac on in a dva n ce o f

his p r e d e ce ssors and his c ont e m p or ari e s in his m e thod
o f s e e king knowl e dg e h e was also fa r in a dv a n c e o f thos e
,

who t o —d ay r e j e c t the e x pe ri e n c e o f t h e s e v e n c e nturi e s

whi c h s e par at e the m from him .

Th e f ollowing quot ation f rom Commu ni a N a turali nm

‘

give s a vivid p i c tur e o f t he g e nuin e ly s c i e ntifi c c h ar ac t e r

o f Rog e r B ac on It shows cl e a rly t h e gr e a t im p ort a n c e
.

h e p l a c e d on t h e c a r e ful e x a min a tion O f e xt e rn a l fa c ts ,

a n d m a k e s us r e aliz e his S kill in d e t e rmining t h e kind o f

fa cts whi c h ought to b e studi e d fo r this or th a t p arti c ul a r

p pur os e. B a con divid e s n atur a l p h iloso p hy into s e p ar at e

sci e n c e s Th e fifth o f th e s e s e p ar at e sci e n c e s is agri culture

. .

Of this d e pa rtm e nt o f knowl e dg e h e writ e s as fo llows ( I quot e

f rom B r e w e r s tr a nsl a tion in t h e p r e face to b i s F r Rogeri
’
.

B a con oper a qua eda m hactenus i nedi ta p li not e ) ,

.
,

Ne xt [a ft e r l h e my] c om e s t he s p e c i a l s c i e n c e o f the
a c
n atur e o f pl ants a n d all a nim als with t h e e x ce p tion o f
,

ma n who by r e a son o f his nobl e n e ss fa lls und e r a s pe c i al

, ,

s c i e nc e c all e d m e di c in e B ut first in t he ord e r o f t e ac hing

.

is th e s c i e n c e o f a nim als whi c h p r e c e d e m an an d are n e c e ss a ry

fo r his use . This s c i e n c e d e s c e nds first to t h e c onsid e r a tion
o f e v e ry kind o f soil a n d t h e p rodu c tions o f t h e e a rth distin ,

g u i s h i n g f our kinds o f soil a cc ording to th e ir c ro p s ; o ne

,

so il is th at wh e r e in c orn and l e gumin a are sown a noth e r

is c ove r e d with woods a noth e r with p a stur e s an d m e a dows
a noth e r is g a rd e n ground wh e r e in a r e c ultiv a t e d tr e e s a nd
ve g e t abl e s h e rbs and roots as w e ll for nut rirn e nt as for
, ,

m e di c in e No w this s c i e n c e e xt e nds to t h e p e r fe c t study

.

o f a ll v e g e t a bl e s t h e knowl e dg e o f whi c h is v e ry im p e r
,

fe ct ly d e liv e r e d in Aristotl e s tr e atis e on th at subj e ct ;

’
 A LCH EMY AND CH EMI S TR Y 30 5

a nd the r e fore a s pe c i al and s ufii c ie nt s c i e n c e o f p l a nts is

r e qui re d whic h should be t a ught in books on agri c ultur e
, .

B ut a s a g r i c ultur e c a nnot go on without a n a bund a n c e

o f t a m e a ni m a ls nor t h e utility o f diffe re nt soils as woods , ,

p a st u re s a n d d e s e rts b e unde r stood e x ce p t wild a ni m als b e

, ,

nurtur e d nor t he p l e asu re o f m an b e s uffi c ie nt ly e nh a n c e d ,

without s u c h a nim a ls th e r e fore this s c i e n c e e xt e nds its e l f

to t h e study o f all a ni m a ls .
’

In the s e words B ac on dra ws t he outlin e s Of a tru e s c i e nce

,

o f a gri c ultur e b a s e d on obs e rva tion a nd e x p e rim e nt fi t t e d

, ,

to yi e ld r e sults us e ful to m a nkind .

B y using t he m e thod o f obs e rv a tion a n d e x p e ri m e nt ,

a nd r e a soning on t h e r e sults obt a in e d Rog e r B ac on a rrive d ,

a t j ust a n d fruit f ul c on c e p tions r e g a r ding p l a nt li fe th e ,

growth an d nutrition o f a nim als tid e s r a inbows the , , ,

d e nsity O f ai r an d oth e r n atur a l e ve nts This m e thod also

,
.

le d him to t h e inv e ntion o f instrum e nts o f mu c h us e fuln e ss

in o ptie s astronomy and oth e r br a n c h e s o f physi c al sci e n c e
, , .

Bac on o ft e n insists on t h e n e e d o f m a th e m a ti c s in t h e
inve stig a tion Of physi c a l o c c u r r e n ce s He trie d to form .

a g e n e r a l s c i e n c e whi c h should b r ing t h e a c tions o f bodi e s ,

and o f n a tur a l a g e nts und e r th e p rin c i p l e s o f m a th e m a ti c s

,
.

Ne ve rth e l e ss h e t a ught th a t t h e e x pe rim e nt a l s c i e n c e s a re

,

m ore us e ful to m e n th a n m a th e m a ti c s fo r th e y stir c uriosity ,

and m ake p ossibl e t h e und e rst a nding o f m any things .

Without e x pe ri e nc e h e s aid no s atis fac tory inv e stig a tion

, ,

is p ossibl e Ex pe rie n c e shi e lds us fr om e rron e ous j udg e

.

m e nts His own dis c ove ri e s m ade by e x pe ri m e nting and

.
,

obs e rving had shown h i m h e s ays th a t th e r e is nothing too

, , ,

h ard to b e li e ve e ithe r in hu m a n or divine things .

‘

Most o f t h e a l c h e mists a p pe a l e d to t h e a uthority o f me n

o f r e nown who h ad gon e b e f or e th e m fo r jus t i fi ca t i on o f th e ir

O u t look on n atur e Rog e r B ac on o pp os e d t he c ustom o f

.

Co mp a re Roger B a co n or d mi n e i ne M on ograp hi e a ls B e i trag

.

zu r G es chi chte d er P hi los ophi e des dre i zehnten j a hrhun de rts , b y

D r L e o n h a r d S c h n e id e r
.

1 68 9 X
30 6 R OG E R B A CON

c onst antly dis c us si ng id e a s g e n e ra liti e s p rin c i pl e s s t at e d

, , ,

by Aristotl e a n d o t h e r a n c i e nt writ e rs He insist e d on t h e .

n e e d o f obs e r v ing a n d dis c ussing fa c ts H e s a id th a t .

s c hol asti c s c i e n c e was too g re atly c on c e rn e d with int e ll e c tu a l

d e fi n i t i o ns a n d t h e s u pp os e d c a u s e s o f n a tu ra l e v e nts
, ,

a n d n e gl e c t e d t h e a c c u r a t e obs e rvation o f th e s e e v e n t s
( Non aportei c ausa s i n ves ti ga re) He a ltog e th e r r e j e c t e d
.

o c c ult c a us e s He t aught th at undu e r e s pe c t to worthl e s s

.

a uthority is o ne o f t h e c a u s e s o f ig n or a n c e a n d th a t t h e ,

c on c e it of l e ar n e d me n whi c h m ake s t h e m hid e th e i r

,

ignor a n c e u nd e r a dis pl a y o f a ppa r e nt knowl e dg e is a noth e r ,

ot e nt c a us e o f e rr or a n d m e nt a l d a r kn e s s ( Opu s M i n u s
p ,

4 B re w e r )
2 2 —
pp 3.
,
.

I t was im p ossibl e t h a t B ac on should sh a k e hi m s e l f q uit e

f r e e f r o m t h e t r a m m e ls o f a u tho r ity H e t a ught t h e n e e d
.

o f ob e di e n c e to t h e Chu r c h a lthough h e w as i m p riso n e d

,

f o r a su pp os e d l a c k o f p r o p e r h u m ility t o a utho r ity He .

d e s p is e d t h e ignor a n c e a nd stu p idity o f t h e m u ltitud e .

Me n a r e so r e a dy t o go a str a y h e s a id th at th e y
’

, ,

must h ave so me t rus t wo rt h y gu id e H e pl ac e d th e ology

.
’

at t h e h e a d o f his hi e r a rc hy O f s c i e n c e s a nd though ,

h e a pp e a l e d a g a in a nd a g a in to obs e rv a tion a nd e xp e ri
m e nt h é c arri e d ov e r th e ologi c al m e thods into s c i e ntifi c
,

inq ui ri e s .

B ac on w as oblig e d to p a i n t his m e nt a l p i c t u r e o f t h e m ut a
tions o f m at e ri al thi n gs wi t h t h e p igm e nts h e f ound in his
c olour —box .H e c o uld not do oth e rwis e W e all do t h a t . .

H e c ould not but u s e t h e c on c e ption o f t h e four e l e m e nts

hotn e ss dryn e ss c oldn e ss w e tn e ss as g uid e s in h is a tt e m pt
, , ,
—

t o m a k e an int e ll e c tu a l a r r a ng e m e n t o f t h e fac ts h e h ad
to se t in orde r Rog e r Ba c on w as n e ce ss a rily i nflue nc e d by
.

t h e int e ll e c tu a l c on c e p t ions o f his ti m e Ne v e rth e l e ss .

,

Ch arl e s c an j ustly s a y o f him : His g r e at e st dis c ove ry

is th a t o f t h e fe e bl e n e ss a nd faults o f s c hol asti c is m ;
„

his origin ality is t o b e long as littl e as p ossibl e to his

30 8 R OG E R B A CO N

t he m e thod o f obs e rvatio n a nd e x pe ri me nt B ut o ne finds .

him h edg e d in by t he c o nc e ption o f four e l e m e nts o r pr in

c i p le s h e c a n not b re ak thro ugh th a t b a rri e r His r e m a rks .

on t h e di ffe re n c e s b e twe e n m e t als a re mor e like thos e o f t he

ordin a ry a l c h e m is t t h a n m ight b e e x p e c t e d .

I n a sm a ll book p r int e d a t Fr a nk furt in 1 6 0 3 e nti t l e d

, ,

S a n i or i s M edi ci nae M a gi s tri Roge r i D B a coni s A n gl i de A rte .

Chy mi a e S cr i pta Rog e r B ac on d is c o urs e s o f t h e e l e m e n t s

, ,

of m e t a ls and o f t r a nsm ut a t ion more fully th a n in h is

, ,

long e r writings He s a ys th a t e ac h o f t h e four e l e m e nts

.
‘

h as its s pe c i a l qu a lity dryn e ss p re domin at e s in e a rth ,

we tn e ss in w at e r c oldn e ss in a i r hotn e s s in fi re b ut e ac h
, ,

e l e m e nt c a n r e c e iv e som e p ortion o f t h e qu a lity whi c h

p a rti c ul a r ly distinguish e s a no t h e r e l e m e nt ( pp 3 14 .

He s p e aks o f va rious d e gr e e s o f hotn e ss c old n e ss dryn e ss , , ,

an d w e tn e ss a nd distinguish e s p r i m a r y s e c ond a ry t e rti a ry

, , , ,

&c d e gr e e s o f e a c h qu a li t y ( pp 32 2
.
,
Th e Elixi r c o m .

bin e s in its e l f a ll t h e q ua liti e s o f t he four e l e m e n ts e qua lly ,

and p e r fe c tly b a l a n c e d Th e Elixir is a bl e to giv e hotn e ss

.

to things th at n e e d hotn e ss c oldn e ss to thi ngs th a t n e e d ,

coldn e ss we tn e ss t o things th a t n ee d we tn e ss dryn e ss to

, ,

things th at n e e d dryn e ss to bring th e m to pe rfe c tion ,

.

Th e a i m o f t h e a l c h e mist is to bring things to th e ir most

p e r fe c t st a t e this c an b e don e onl y by using e ac h e l e m e nt

Thi s b o o k c o n ta i ns t h f o ll o wi n g t a c ta t e s b y R o g e B a c o n :
e r r

( 1) B r e ve br e vi a r i u m f ra tr i s Rogeri B a con ; a d Ray mun du m qu i

s c ri p si t de vi r i d i L eon e ( pp 9 5 — 2 6 4 ) .
( 2 ) Tra cta tu s Tr i u m Ve r bor u m
R B a co n
.
(p p 2 9 2
.
( 3) Spe cu l u m S e cre tara m ( p p 38 7 .

B r e ve bre vi a r i u m d e a l s wi h t h e t c o m p o s i t i o n o f m e ta ls t h e t a ns ,
r

mu t a t i o n o f m e t a l s t h e n a t u r e a n d p u ri fi ca ti o n o f p a r ti c ul a r m e ta ls
,

( go l d s ilv e r c o pp e l e a d t i n i ro n ) c u a t i v e m e di c i n e s mi n e ra l
, ,
r, , , , r ,

s p i ri ts a n d s u l p h u r m e t h o d s o f o p e ra t i n g wi t h m e r c u ry a n d s u l p h ur
, ,

p p
r e a r a t i o n o f a s e n i c a n d t h e e fi e c t s o f i t a n d o f s a l ts ( a l k a li sa l t
r , ,
.

p e t r e n i,t r e — d e s a l e n i tr i — c o m mo n s a l t a l u mi n a b o ra x ) a n d , , ,

s to n e s Tra cta tus Tr i a m Ve rboru m t r ea t s o f ( a ) t h e c o m p os i ti o n

.

o f t hi n g s f r o m t h e f o u r e l e me n t s ( b) mi xi ng ( c ) w e i g h t s , S pe culu m , .

S e c e ta a m d e a ls v e ry b ri e fly wi t h t h e s ec re t o f t h e t ra ns m u ta t i o n
r r , ,

o f t hi ng s I r e fe r t o t h i s b oo k a s A r t C hy rn
. . .
 A LCH EMY AND CH E MI S TR Y 30 9

in its pro pe r d e gr e e o f humidity c oldn e ss dryn e ss or hot , , ,

n e ss and by conj oining t h e e l e m e nts in the ir d ue pro p or

,

tions Th e E lixir is a kind o f h app y m e a n ; t h e m e t al s

.

a re e xtr e m e s in r e fe r e n c e t o t h e Elixir Som e m e t a ls h ave .

t oo mu c h c oldn e ss som e too mu c h hotn e ss a nd so on , , .

Th e Elixir is a bl e to e ure th e ir si c kn e ss e s .
‘

Th e p ass a g e s I h a v e r e fe rr e d to are a l m ost p ur e ly a rgume n

t at i v e In th e m Rog e r B ac on tri e s to r e fi ne t h e ordin a ry
.

al c h e m i c a l do c trin e o f t h e f our e l e m e nts H e igno r e s t h e .

al c h e mic a l notion o f a som e t hing c ommon t o all t h e e l e m e nts

an d t o all things fo r m e d by c onj oini ng e l e m e nts Wh e n o n e .

r e m e mb e rs how s t rongly B ac on insis t s on t he su pe rio r ity

o f obs e r v a tion a n d e x p e rim e nt ov e r m e r e a rgu m e nt as ,

m e ans fo r ac qui r ing g e nuin e knowl e dg e o f n at u ral e ve nts

( s e e ,f o r inst a n c e t h e q u ot a tion f r om Opus Terti u m p 43
, ,
.
,

B r e w e r s e dition giv e n 0 11 p o n e is c e rt a inly sur

’
.
,

p ris e d t o find him s a ying ( A r t Chym p 345 ) Dim i tt e . .

,
.

e x p e rim e nt a c a p e r a tion e s e t i n v e n i e s
’
.

Wh e n o ne thi n ks o n e h as obt a in e d a n inkling o f Ba c on s ’

m e a ning o ne is mu c h non pluss e d by su c h words as th e s e

,

( A rt Chym p 30 1 )
. Se d o m n e q u od di c o e s t f a ls u m e rgo
.
,
.
,

nihil di c o ve ru m se d qu a ndo di c o v e r um i nt e ll ig e ,

f alsum Lik e oth e r a l c h e mists B a c on fe a r e d l e st t h e

’
.
,

unl e tt e r e d c r e w should und e r st and his s e c r e ts ’

.
2

Rog e r Bac on did not think o f t h e e l e m e nts a s for ms or

e x p r e ssions o f a u nive rs a l p rim a r y m att e r but r ath e r as ,

p a rti c ul a r c onditions e a c h O f whi c h a c ts on its own a c c ount

an d in its own wa y He did not think o f a n e l e m e nt as .

a pa rti c ul a r subst a n ce whi c h h as not b e e n s e pa r a t e d

int o unlik p rts no o ne thought th u s o f an e l e m e nt till
e a —

A t C hy m p 3 9 :
r . O m ni a m t a l l s u n t e xt m a d E li x i
.
, . 1 e a re a r .

E li x i v e o m d i u m s i e g o g i t n m i n a li t
’
r r e , er a o er .

2
I n t h e p t o f Op u T ti u m d i t d b y A G L i tt l
ar s B o n a ys
er e e . . e, ac s

(p . 8 1) Q u a d r i ga u na non p o rt a r e t l ib r o s a l ki m i a e q u o r u m t a m e n ,

o mn i u m v ir us t in h i s p a u c i s v e rb i s c o nt in e t u r e t i d e o e s t o b s c u ri t a s
i n fi ni t a .
’
31 0 R OG E R B A CO N

a bout fi ve and a ha l f c e n t uri e s a ft e r Ba c on s tim & —h é thought ’

o f a n e l e m e n t r a th e r a s a c ondition o f b e ing o f this or th a t

p a r ti c ul a r subst a n c e su c h as gold
, silv e r c o p pe r or, l e ad , ,
.

I t might b e m or e a c c u ra t e to s a y h e tho ught o f a n e l e m e nt

,

a s a f or m o f a c tivity d e t e r m ining t h e p rod u c tion fro m ,

othe r s ubst an ce s o f this o r th a t pa rti c ul a r thing H e c e r

, .

t ai nl y a tt e m p t e d t o p i c t u r e m a t e r i a l c h a ng e s as c a us a lly
c onn e c t e d with t h e i n flo wi ng or with t h e o u t going o f m o r e
, ,

or l e ss o f this or th at c ondition or form o f a c tivity He , , .

did not s e e k as almost all al c h e mists b e fo re a nd aft e r him

,

sought for an in c ho at e so m e thing t h e soul o f bodi e s

, , .
’

H e did not r e g a rd t h e a pp e a ra n c e t e xture t a st e sm e ll , , , ,

r e l ative h e a vin e ss &c o f p a rti c ul a r bodi e s as g a rm e nts

,

hiding t h e e s s e nti al n atur e s o f t h e bodi e s ; h e re g a rde d

su c h pro p e rti e s r a th e r as m a rks by whi c h o ne m a t e ri a l
thing c an b e disting uish e d fr om a noth e r a s signs by whi c h ,

e ac h m a t e ri al thing c a n b e r e c ogniz e d B ut th e s e p r o p e rti e s

.

we re not e nough fo r Bac on H e thought th at this subst an c e

.

h as su c h a nd su c h p r o p e rti e s h as a p arti c ul a r t e xtur e

, ,

c olour w e ight t a st e a n d so on b e c a us e it h a s b e e n f orm e d

, , , ,

by t h e influe n c e on more r e mot e subst a n c e s o f p a rti c ul ar

, ,

qu a ntiti e s o f two or it m a y b e m or e th an two o f t h e four

, ,

e l e m e nts by t h e ac tiviti e s o f whi c h a ll in a nim a t e things a re

p rodu c e d B ac
. on did not thi n k o f t h e g e n e r a ting int e r l a y
p
o f t h e e l e m e nts a s dir e c t e d by a som e thing m or e v a gu e a n d

mor e u nive rs al th an the y a som e thing whi c h oth e r al c h e

,

mists c a ll e d prim ary m att e r and dr e am e d o f as t h e o ne

abiding immut a bl e r e a lity b e hind a ll c h a nging a pp e a r a n c e s
,
.

Th e g e nuin e ly s c i e ntifi c s p i r it o f Rog e r B ac on a pp e a rs

in his e nd e avour to us e proxim a t e c aus e s t h e f our e l e m e nts —

—
whi c h h e c ould in so m e d e g re e c ont r ol in forming his ,

int e lle c tu al s c h em e o f m at e ri al mut a tions r a th e r th a n c all ,

in a va gu e ultim at e c aus e su c h a s pri ma ry matter whi c h

, ,

no o ne was abl e to bring down into vivi fying c ont ac t wi t h

obs e rve d r e a liti e s .
 R OG ER BA CON

In s pe aking o f th a t parti c ul a r c l a ss o f things c a ll e d

m e t als Rog e r B ac on u s e s t h e ordin a r y al c h e mi c al do c t ri ne
,

th at m e t al s a re for me d by c o n j oining m e rc ury a n d s ul ph ur .

Fr om t h e di re c tions whi c h h e give s fo r p ur i fying m e rc ury a nd

sul phur it s e e ms as i f h e u s e d t h e words m e r c u ry a nd
,
‘ ’

s ul ph ur a s n am e s o f two d e fi n it e t angibl e subst an c e s He , .

‘

t aught t h at t h e r e l a t iv e q uan t iti e s o f t he two c o m pon e nts

h av e a d e t e rmi n ing i nfl ue n c e o n t h e n atur e o f a m e t al ; a nd
th at t h e d e gr e e o f p urity o f h umidity o f c oldn e ss o f dryn e s s
, , , ,

o f hotn e ss o f e a c h c o m p on e nt h as a n e ffe c t in d e t e r mining

wh at m e t a l is p rod uc e d by t h e int e r pl ay o f m e rc u r y a nd
sul phur . A ppa r e ntly h e h e ld th at t h e e ss e nti al n a t u r e o f
2

a ll m e t a ls is o n e a n d t h e s a m e th a t t h e di ffe r e n c e s b e tw e e n
,

m e t al a nd m e t al are di ffe r e n c e s o f ac c id e nts not o f e ss e n c e s , .

Y ou c an c h ang e t h e a c c id e nts not t h e s ubst a n c e Th e , .

’
3

n atur e o f all m e t als is o ne in t h e unity o f s pe c i e s fo r q ui c k

silve r is a lwa ys o i o ne s pe c i e s a n d th e r e a re not found dive rs e
,

s pe c i e s o f s ul phurs I t m a y r e a son ably b e c on c lud e d t h a t

.
’

t h e div e rsity o f n at u r e s a n d o f m e t alli c s pe c i e s do e s not

c om e f rom div e rsity o f m a t t e r whi c h is a lw a ys o n e a n d t h e ,

s am e but from dive rsity o f d e pur ation and dig e stion

, .

In c ommon wi t h a ll a l c h e mists Rog e r B a c on r e g a r d e d ,

gold as t h e most p e r fe c t m e t al an d t a ught th a t gold is ,

form e d by t h e int e r ac tion o f t h e p ro p e r p ro p ortion o f t h e

p ur e st f orms o f qui c ksilv e r a n d sul p hur

6
I f a l l m e t a ls a re .

m a d e o f t h e s am e two things qui c ksilve r an d sul phur —

th e n all th at is n e e d e d t o ge t gold from oth e r m e t als is to

r e mov e t h e i nfirm it i e s to e u re t h e si c kn e ss e s o f t h e oth e r
, ,

m e t als This s e e ms t o h ave b e e n Rog e r Ba c on s vi e w a t

.
’

l e ast wh e n h e wrot e De A rte Chymi a e z Som e o f t h e oth e r 7

S e e f o r i ns
,
tan c e ,
A r t C hy m . .
, p . 2 17 .

A r t Chym , p p —1 0 2 3
2
. . .
9 8 . Ib i d .
, p . 10 4 .

Ib i d p 1 0 5
.
, . .
5
Ibi d .
, p . 12 2 .

6
Se e , f or i ns tanc e ,Opu s M i n u s p p 37 5 , .
—8
3 ( B re e r s e di i o n ) w ’
t .

7
S e e A r t C hy m . .
, pp 1 8
3 4
— 2 . h e re h e ,
w t a lk s s om e ha v a g u e l y
,
w t ,

o f m a ki n g g o l d .
 '

A LCH EMY AND CH EMB TRY 3

m e t als are t oo h umid som e are t oo dry in som e c oldn e ss is , ,

too p r e domin ant in som e th e r e is too mu c h hotn e ss In

, .

D e A rte Chymi ae h e r e g a r ds silv e r as a kind o f l e a d burd e n e d

,

by im pe r fe c tions Th e dire c tions ( e ntitl e d D e prepa rati one

.

Lun a e a d S ulphur ) fo r m a king silv e r from l e a d a re not v e ry

unlik e t h e mod e rn m e thod fo r obt a ining p ure silve r from
a r g e nti fe rous l e a d by c u e ll a tion
‘
p , .

I t is not e a sy to put an e x ac t a n d d e fi n i t e m e a ning on

B a c on s r e m a rks a bout t h e tr a ns m u t a t ions o f m a t e ri a l things
’
.

He d e als with tra nsmut ation m or e fully in D e A rte Chymi ae

th a n in his othe r writings Tak e thi s pa s s ag e fo r ins t a n ce .
,

Le t a ll work e rs in a l c h e my know th a t tr ue s p e c i e s c a nnot

b e t ra ns m ut e d For th e y sa y a n d it is s a id a lso h e r e th at
.
, ,

l ea d is a lwa ys l e a d e v e n g ra nt e d th a t its im p uri t i e s are,

p urg e d a w a y so t h a t silv e r m a y b e s e e n t hus th e y d e c e iv e

me n not u nd e rst a nding t h e words o f Aris t otl e 0 11 sol u tion .

TO whom it m a y b e a nsw e r e d t h a t i t is no t fo r us t o b e
l abo uring a bo u t t h e tr a nsm u t ation o f bodie s in ord e r to
m ak e so me so r t o f b e ing fr om non—b e ing ( ut f aci a mu s ali qu od
e n s d e n on e n te ) a n d t o m a k e som e thing f r o m t his min e r a l
,

th at is not o f this min e r a l But th at we m a y r e du c e a .

c orru p t e d min e r al t o a n in c o r ru p t e d min e r a l Sin c e l e a d

is a s pe c i e s o f silv e r t he si c kn e s s e s o f whi c h m i n e ra l to wit
,
—
,

so ftn e ss bl ac kn e ss a nd fouln e ss h a ve inva d e d it wh e n

, ,
—
,

th e s e are p u t asid e th e re is silve r t ru e a nd good a n d so it

,

is r e du c e d to its t ru e m in e r al and in ac c o rd a n c e with its fi rst ,

prim a ry origin ( sec un du m pri ma m r a di ce m) it is not tr a nsl a t e d

nor tr a nsm u t e d from its own mine r al Si m il a rly iron is sil ve r .
,

but it is c orr upt e d by t h e p ow e r o f its i m p ur e sulp hur a nd

o f its im p ur e qui c ksilv e r Fro m whi c h sourc e hurt ful things .

e nt e r it to wit bl ac kn e ss h a r dn e s s
, ,
d ryn e ss whi c h b e ing , ,

r e mov e d th e r e is good silve r I n like m a nn e r c o p pe r is t h e

, .

soul a nd sist e r o f silve r in all its dis p osition s to wit in so ft , , ,

n e ss i n har dn e ss in fusib ility a nd m a ll e a b ility bu t it is re d

, , ,

we t ak e a w a y fro m it its r e dn e ss a nd th e n th e r e is g e nuin e ,

silve r Sim il arly tin h as so ftn e ss t h e gr a ting sound o f t e e th

.
, ,

a n d bl ac kn e ss whi c h b e ing r e m ov e d it is r e du c e d to silv e r

,
.

In lik e m a nn e r silv e r is gold s a v e in its c olour b e c a us e t he ,

c olour o f gold wa s t ak e n a w a y from it in its min e r a l st a t e , ,

Ibi d p p 8 —3
.
, B ut 0 p
. 1 3 h e sa y s
1 . L ea d w i l l e ma i n l e a d11 . 10 ,
r
’
ev e n i f i t l oo k s li k e si lv e r .
31 4 R OG ER BA CO N

by t he p owe r o f its q u i c ksilve r B ut we give c olo ur t o i t .

,

a n d t h e n th e r e i s good g old T his is i n k e e p ing wi t h wh a t .

is s a id by A r i s to t l e I f t h e q u i c ksilv e r b e p u re a nd b r igh t
.
,

a nd t h e s u l p h u r b e c l e a n a nd re d a nd a t e m pe r a t e h e a t b e ,

us e d mi ne ra l g old is m a d e fr o m t h e s e in n at ure a ft e r a lo ng
, , ,

t i m e Si m il a rly i f t he q uic ksilve r b e i m p ure a nd t h e s ul phur

.
,

b e not c l e a n som e o t h e r m i ne ra l b ody is m a d e fr om t h e s e in

, ,

ac c o r d a n c e wi t h t h e i n w a rd d is p o s i t ion o f t h a t body Wh at .

n a t ure do e s in a t ho us a n d y e a rs w e a re a bl e t o ac c o m pli s h ,

a r t i fic i a lly in a shor t t i m e p e r h a p s in o n e d a y o r in som

,
e ,

ho urs wi t h t h e p ro pe r m e di c i ne t h a t t a k e s a lo ng t im e t o
, ,

p re p a r e by t h e u s e o f whi c h bodi e s s u ffe ri ng fr o m m i n e r a l

,

c orru p tions a r e r e du c e d t o u n c or r u pt e d m in e r a l subs t a n c e s .

Th e r e is a n in t e r e s t i n g p as s a g e on p 34 2 o f D e A rte .

Chymi a e

Som e s pe a k o f t r a nsm u t a t ion So m e s pe ak o f i m provi ng .

( de cor re cti on e ) So me s a y i t is n e c e s s a ry t o t ra ns m ut e ,

th e y sa y th a t fo r m give s t h e e ss e n c e o f a t hing (di cu nt qu od

f o r m a d a t es s e r e i ) b u t t h a t t h e e ss e n c e O f gold is di ffe r e n t
,

f r o m t h e e ss e n c e o f l e a d : t h e r e for e t h e re is h e r e m a d e a
t ra n s m u t a tion o f fo rm Th e y w ho s pe ak o f irn pro v ing sa y .

th a t wh e n a s i c k m a n is c u r e d o f his si c kn e s s h e is no t
tr a nsm u t e d from o ne s pe c i e s i n t o a no t h e r Ei t h e r re ason ing .

is good B ut o n e o f t h e m is b e tt e r
. R e a d wha t Avi c e nn a .

s a ys a nd r e a d a g a in a n d find wisdo m
’
.
, ,

Rog e r B ac on t aught t h a t in r e asoning a bou t n a t ur al ,

e v e nts w e h a v e t o p a y h e e d t o m a t t e r as t h a t whi c h m a y
,

b e c om e a ny p a rti c ul a r t hing a nd fo rm as t h a t whic h diffe re n ,

t i at e s a n d s p e c i fi e s e ac h p a rt i c ul a r t hing Ma t t e r h e s a id .
, ,

h a s a p ot e nti a lity o f b e c oming t his or t h a t t hing form is t he

ac t o f b e c oming a s p e c i a l t hing H e wo u ld h a v e o bs e rv e rs .

o f n a tur e study al l t h e c onditions o f e xist e n c e o f e a c h

obj e c t o f s e ns e al l t h e c onditions by whi c h e ac h is dis t in

,

g u i s h e d f rom oth e r obj e c t s H e w a s n e v e r t ir e d o

. f insis t ing
on a c tivity e ffort c h ang e h e tri e d t o g e t at g e n e r al rul es
, ,

A t C hy m 8 — 0 —2 8 dir c t i o n s a i n ve
r .
pp 3 9 9 5 .
, pp
.
7 .
g
11 . 2 1 e re

f o p p a i ng t h Elix i r
r re r Th ed i e c ti on s . u n t a ns l t b l
ese i nt o r a re r a a e

d fi n i t wo d s
e e b ut t h e y o f t n m n t i o n p ti u la s u b s ta n c es n d
r e e ar c r a

are m p a c ti c a l t h a n m os t
ore r l c h e mi ca l e i p ts fo m a ki ng t h
a r ec r e

El i x i r .
3 6
1 R OG E R B A CO N

d e fi ni t e l y h e s pe aks a g a inst t h e no t ion o f o ne prim a ry m a tt e r ,

I do not t hink st r e ss c a n b e l a id on a fe w d e t ac h e d r e m a r ks
‘
.

Consid e r ing t h e di ffe r e nc e s b e tw e e n t h e l a ng uag e u s e d by

Rog e r B ac on a nd t h a t us e d by c h e mis t s now i t is no t un fair ,

t o s a y t h a t t h e g e n e r a l a s pe c t s o f t h e p i c t ure whi c h he
fo rm e d o f m a t e r i a l c h an g e s r e s e mbl e t ho s e o f t h e p i c tur e
dr awn by mod e rn c h e m is t ry Ce as e l e ss c h a ng e is t h e m a rk
.

o f both c on c e p t ions o f n a tu r al e v e nt s Ch e mists r e p re s e nt

.

t h e c h a ng e s o f m a t e r i a l t hings as c o m bin a t ions o f d is t in c t

kinds o f m a tt e r whi c h th e y c all e l e m e n t s b e c a us e non e o f
,

th e m h as b e e n s e pa r at e d into unlik e po rt ions as d e c om p osi

tions o f c om p o unds a nd a s ré c ombin at ions o f t h e unlike
,
-

p a rt s o f t h e s e c o m p ounds I n a ll th .e s e n e v e r c e asing mu t a —

tions th e y tr ac e t he ac tivity o f so m e t hing whi c h th e y c all

e n e rgy a n d th e y r e c ogniz e di ffe r e n t ki n d s o r f orms o f e n e rgy
,
.

Rog e r B ac on c am e n e a r e r t o t his c on c e pt ion o f c h e m i c a l

c h a ng e s th a n a n y o f h i s p r e d e c e ssor s t h a n m ost o f his ,

su cc e ssors till La voisi e r g a ve d e fi ni t e form t o th e s c i e n c e o f

c h e mistry tow a rds t h e e n d o f t h e e ight e e n t h c e nt u ry .

B e f or e sum m a r izing thos e a s pe c t s o f Rog e r B ac on s c o n

’

c e pt i o n o f a l c h e my whi c h h a v e b e e n d e alt wi t h in t h e

p r e ce ding p a g e s I as k t h,e r e a d e r t o noti c e t h e p l a c e whi c h

Ba c on g a v e to a l c h e my in his a rr a ng e m e nt o f t h e s c i e n c es .

He h ad a pa ssion fo r tr ac ing c onn e xions b e tw e e n t h e s pe c i al

s c i e n ce s whi c h h e pl ac e d und e r t h e g uid an c e o f t h e gr ea t
sc i e n ce Commu ni a N atur ali um a nd fo r arr a nging t h e s pe c i al
,

s c i e nc e s in orde r o f dignity and imp ort an c e He pl ace d .

t h es e p a ssa g es oc c u r s i n Op u s Te r ti u m A G L i l e s tt ’
One of , . .

edi t i on , pp . 8 6 —7 Th e hi d d e n s p i r i t
i s o n e o f t h e h um o urs ,

name l y t h a t wh i c h i s b l o od i n a n i m a l s b ut i t h a s n o t t h e n ame
o f b l o od i n a ll [t hi n g s] a n d t h e e f o e w h e n r e d u c e d t o t h e ma tt e r
r r

c o mm o n t o a ni m a t e a n d i n a n i m a t e t hi n g s i t l o s e s t h e n a m e o f b l oo d ,

a n d i s c a ll e d t h e h umo u o f w a m a n d h u mi d c o m p l xi o n
r r wh i c h e ,

b e c o m e s b l o od i n a n i m a l s a n d i n t o w hi c h b l o o d c o ru p t s wh e n i t i s
, r

t ra n s fo r m e d f ro m i t s o wn h ea t a n d i s e d u c e d t o th e o ri g in a l n a t u
r re

o f t h a t h u m o u r w hi c h i s f o u n d i n a l l t h i n s
’

g .
 A LCH EMY AND CH EMI S TR Y 31 7

l h e my fourth
a c of t he s pe c i al s c i e nc e s . In t h e Commu ni a
N a tural i u m h e , s a ys
Of n a tur a l p h iloso phy th e r e are m a ny s e p a r a t e s c i e n c e s
f o r b e sid e s t h e Commu n i a N a tu r a l i u m ( i e c onditions . .

o f b e ing c o mm on to a ll t h e m a t e ri a l world a s motion , ,

p l ace v ac uum ti m e &c ) th e r e a re s pe c i a l divisions o f t h e

, , ,
.

p hysic a l s c i e n c e s ( ) o p t i e s ( 2 ) a stronomy j udi c i a l a nd

1 ,

o pe ra tive ; ( 3) gr a vity ( s ci enti a pond era m d e gra vi bus et

l evi bu s) ; (4) a l c h e my ; ( 5 ) a gri c ultur e ; ( 6 ) m e di c in e ;
( 7 ) e x p e rim e nt a l s c i e n c e
’
.

Th e study o f wisdom B ac on s aid h as two parts o ne , ,

s pe c ul ative a nd t h e oth e r pr ac ti c al a nd o pe rative

,
Som e .
’

s c i e n c e s he s a id a re e ss e n ti a lly s pe c ul a tive ; som e a re

, ,

c on c e rn e d with p r ac ti c a l o p e r a tions Al c h e m y h e d e c l ar e d .

to be pa rtly s pe c ul ative and pa rt ly p r ac ti c al Th e follow .

ing is B a c on s d e s c ri ption o f t he s c o pe o f s pé c ul a tive

’

alche my
2

Th e r e is a nothe r s c i e n ce whi c h tr e ats o f t h e g e n e r a tion

of thi n gs fr om t h e e l e m e nts a n d o f a ll in a ni m a t e bodi e s ,

su c h as t h e e l e m e nts an d si m pl e and c om p ound liquids ,

h u mori bus ) ; c ommon ston e s p r e c ious ston e s m a rbl e s ; gold

( , ,

a nd oth e r m e t a ls ; sul ph u r s s a lts a nd i nks blue ve rmilion , ,

a n d oth e r c olours ; O ils a n d c ombustibl e bitum e ns a nd ,

an in fi n it y o f oth e r m a tt e rs o f whi c h A r istotl e h as not

s p ok e n o f whi c h t he n atur a l phil oso ph e rs k now nothing
,
.

Ignor a n c e o f th e s e m a tt e rs involv e s ignor a n c e o f e v e ry

thing about n atur al things Th e g e n e r a tion o f ma n .
,

a n d b e asts a n d v e g e t a bl e s is from e l e m e nts a n d humou rs

,

( e x h u m or i bu s ) a n d c o rr e s p onds with ( c omm u n i ca t c u m)

t he g e n e r a tion o f in a nim a t e things This s c i e n ce is .

s pe c ul a tive a l c h e m y whi c h r e a sons abo u t all in a nim a t e

,

things a nd t he whol e g e n e ra tion o f things from e l e m e nts

,
.
’

is inst r uc tive to c o m pa r e Bac on s d e scri ption o f t he

It
’

busin e ss o f s p é c ul ative a lche my with wh a t P a r ace lsus s a id o f

t he a i m o f a l c h e my P a r ac e lsus liv e d a bout thre e c e nturi e s
.

1 q u o e f ro m B re t w e r s t ra n sla t i o n
’
i n t h e p re fa c e t o hi s e di t i on
o f Op e ra i n e d i ta p li , . .

Opus Te r ti u m x ii ( B re we r)
2
, .
39 .
 R OG ER BA CO N

af e t r Rog e r Bac on ; h e t o o was a s t u d e n t o f n a t ure a nd

, , ,

a r e b e l a g a ins t a u t ho ri t y . His c on c e p t i o n o f al c h e m y was

m uc h h a zi e r m uc h l e s s s c i e n t ifi c t h a n B a c o n s He s a id
’

.
, ,

To g ras p t h e i nvi s i b l e e l e m e n t s t o a tt r a c t t h e m by t h e i r
‘
,

m a t e r i al c o rre s p o nd e n c e s t o c on t r ol p uri fy a nd t ra n s form

, , ,

t h e m b y t h e p owe r o f t h e S pi rit — t his is t r ue Al c h e m y .

’

I h a v e a l re a dy q uo t e d fr o m Opu s Te r ti u m w h a t Ba c on
s a ys o f p rac ti c a l a l c h e m y ( p . It t e ac h e s how t o m a k e
nobl e m e t als a nd c olo urs a nd m a ny o t h e r t hings be t t e r
, ,

a nd m or e c o p io usly by a rt t h a n n a t u re I t pro v id es
.

m on e y fo r a s t a t e I t t e a c h e s t he m e a n s o f p rolo nging li fe
’

. .

F r om wh a t B ac on s a ys a bo ut s pe c ul a t i v e a l c h e my i t is ,

e vid e n t t h a t h e did no t r e g a r d t h a t s c i e n c e a s p u re ly intro

s pe c t iv e . He fo u nd e d i t o n obs e r v a t io n a n d e x pe r i m e n t .

It s b us in e s s is t o r e a son o n t h e d a t a o f e x pe r i e n c e so as t o ,

c o m e a t j u s t g e n e r a l c o n c l u s ions r e g a rdi n g t h e g e n e ra t ion o f

a ll t hings P rac t i c al a l c h e m y t a k e s som e o f t h e r e s ults

o f t h e r e a so n i n g o f s pe c u l a t iv e a l c h e my a n d a pp li e s t h e m
,

t o c e rt a in s pe c ific p rac t i c a l p ur po s e s .

Le t m e now bring t og e t h e r wh a t I h a v e s aid a bo u t Rog e r

Ba c on s a tti t ud e t ow a r d a l c h e my a nd c h e mi s t ry
'

l Rog e r B a c on l a id s t r e ss on t he us e fu ln e s s o f a l c h e mi c al
.

knowl e dg e He s aid t h at t he i m por t a n c e o f a b ra n c h o f

.

kn owl e dg e is l a rg e ly d e pe nd e n t on t h e u t ili t y o f i t He .

t h e r e fo r e sought t o b as e his r e a soning a bo ut t h e g e n e r a tion

o f things —
whi c h s t u dy h e t ook t o b e t h e bu in e ss o f s

alc h e m y — o n f ac ts g a in e d by obs e rv a t ion a n d e x pe ri m e n t .

He w as not a l t og e th e r h app y in his t r e a t m e n t o f wh at we

now c a ll c h e mi c a l c h ang e s He do e s not a ppea r t o h av e
.

studi e d th e s e e ve nts mu c h a t first —h a nd H e foll ow e d t he .

f ootst e p s o f oth e rs . At t h e s am e ti m e h e insist s on t h e

n e c e ssity t o t h e a lc h e mist o f a p r ac t i c al ac qu a in t an c e wi t h
t h e m e thods o f dist i lling c al c ining s e pa r a ting a n d t h e lik e
, , ,
.

H e r e c ogniz e d a n d u nh e sit atingly r e c omm e nd e d t h e only

w a y to a c c ur a t e an d fruit ful knowl e dg e o f t h e c h a ng e s o f
320 R OG E R B A CO N

of t he tions o f n a t u ra l a g e n t s 0 11 pa r t ic ula r s ubs t a nce s

ac

wh e r e by othe r s ub s t a nc e s a re p rod uc e d a nd by t he bre a d t h

,

a nd s c i e ntifi c c h a ra c t e r o f his c on c e p t ion o f t h e obj e c t s a nd

r ang e o f s pe c ul a tiv e al c h e m y Rog e r B ac o n s t a nds o ut fro m

,

t h e c rowd o f o rdin a ry a l c h e m is t s a nd is wo r thy o f b e ing

,

p l ac e d a m o n g t h e c h e m is t s The j us t n e ss o f c lassing h im
.

as a c h e mis t ,
r a th e r t h a n as a n a l c h e mis t is s upport e d by
,

h is a void a n c e o f m a ny o f t he p ure ly s pe cul a t iv e que s t ions

whi c h we r e t he li fe a nd so ul o f t he s c hol astic ph iloso phy
wh e r e in h e was born a nd b re d .
 RO GE R B A C ON AND G U N P O WD E R

BY LI E U T CO LO NEL .
-
H W L H IME (LATE) R O Y AL
. . .
,

A RTILLE RY
TH E e x ac t d at e of Rog e r B ac on
’
s E pi stol a de S ecreti s
Oper i bu s A rti s et N a tu r a e et d e N ulti ta te M a gi a e is u n c e r t a in
but it is q ui t e c e r t a in t h at t h e wo rk w as wri tt e n m a ny y e ars
b e for e t h e Opus M ej us a nd t he Opus Ter ti u m both o f whi c h ,

l e wi t hin t h e pe riod
i 1 2 6 5 8
— I n t h e l a tt e r works B ac on .

s a ys th a t c e rt ain pl a y t oys c ra c k e rs we r e we ll known in

-
, ,
’

m any pl ac e s and in t h e Opus Te rti u m h e e x pl a ins t o t he

,

Po p e t h at t h e e x plosiv e c ont a in e d in t h e m was a mixtur e

o f s a lt pe t r e c h ar c o a l a nd sul p h u r On t h e oth e r h a nd ‘
.
, , ,

in t h e D e S ecr eti s h e t ook e xtr a ordin a r y c a r e to c on c e al by ,

c r y p ti c m e t hods an d a n agr a m s t h e n a m e s a n d p ro p ortions ,

o f t h e ingr e di e nts whi c h form e d t h e e x plosiv e Cir c um .

s t an c e s h ad tot al ly c h ang e d in t h e l a ps e o f y e ars t h e c o m

p osition o f g u n p owd e r whi c h must h a v e b e e n known
,
a ll
a long t o his l a bor a tory a ssis t a nts h ad b e e n div ulg e d a n d , ,

t h e first u s e m a d e o f t h e d e a dly mixtur e was fo r t h e a mus e

m e nt o f c hildr e n W e sh a ll not b e far wrong in d ating t h e

.
2

D e S e creti s at 1 2 48 a d a t e whi c h would r e c e iv e c onsid e r a bl e

s u p p ort fr om th e d e di c ation o f t h e tr ac t to Willi a m Bisho p ,

o f P a ris who di e d in 1 2 49 if t h e d e di c a tion should p rove

, ,

t o be au t he n t ic .

Bac on a tt a c ks Magi e in this book on t h e ground th at

Un F ragment i n e di t de Zopus Terti um de Roge r B a con ed by

' ’
.
,

P r o f P D uh e m 1 9 0 9 p 1 5 4
. .
, , . .

E x p e ri m e n t u m h uju s re i capi mus ex hoc l ud i c r o p u e ri l r,

Opu s M a ja s ,
1 7 33. P 47 4
. .

1 68 9
 R OG E R B A CO N

s c i e nc e a nd a rt c a n e xhibi t far g re a t e r wond e rs tha n t he

a ll e g e d wond e rs o f t h e B l a c k Ar t a nd t o pr ove his poin t h e ,

e num e r a t e s in t he firs t e ight c h a p t e rs a n u m b e r o f wond e rs

, ,

whic h ( he b e li e ve d ) a r t c o uld p rod uc e a nd m agi c c o uld no t .

E v e r ything is s uffic ie nt ly c l e a r un t il we r e a c h t h e ni n t h ,

t e nth a nd e l e v e n t h c h a pt e rs a nd t h e s e a r e un int e lligibl e as

, ,

t h e y st a nd No w i t is past b e li e f t h a t a ma n o f c omm a nding

.
,

g e nius sho uld h a ve d e lib e r at e ly stoo pe d t o wri t e pag e a ft e r

p a g e o f nons e ns e Th e th re e c h a p t e
. rs th e r e f o re mus t , ,

h a ve s ome m e aning hidd e n fro m us though it b e ,

.
‘

Th e re is nothing e x t r a ordin a r y in lighting u pon c ry pti c

writing o f t h e thi r t e e n t h c e n t ury D uring t h a t p e riod a nd .
,

fo r long a ft e rw a rds su pe r ior knowl e dg e e x c it e d only ,

t e rror and sus pi c ion I f i t w as shown in s pe c ul a tion it was .

,

c all e d h e re s y If it was s hown in t he s t u dy o f n at ur e i t

.
,

was c a ll e d m agic Al c h e my was c onsid e r e d a di a bo li c a l

’
2
.

a rt a n d was c ond e mn e d by t h e Po pe in
, a fe w y e a rs

a ft e r B ac on s d e ath T he a l c h e m is t s t h e r e for e w e r e for c e d

’

in s e l f de fe n c e t o hide t h e ir d a ng e ro us lor e as b e s t th e y might

-
,

a nd s e v e n o f t h e m e t hods th e y e m ploy e d a re m e ntion e d by

B a con in a mom e nt o f sus pi c io us c a ndour

( 1 ) Cha r a cteres et ca rmi n a

( )
2 E nigm a ti c a n d fi g u r a t i v e words
( 3) Conson a n t s o nly withou t vow e ls ,

( 4) Le tt e r s from diffe r e n t al ph ab e ts
( 5 ) S pe c i a lly d e vis e d l e tt e rs
Q ua n d le s e ns li tt é ra l e s t a b s urd e , i n c o h é re n t o u o b s c ur

0 11 d oi t
p r é s u m e r u n s e n s d é o u rn é t
L a n g lo i s e t S e i g n ob os , I n tr od .
’
.

aux Etu d e s H i s to r i qu es p 127 , . .

Le c ky s R i s e & c of Ra ti on al i s m i n E u r ope i 2 7 5
’

, .
, , . .

3
Prof B B u ry H i s to ry of F ree do m of Thoug ht 1 9 1 3 p 6 5
. .
, , , . .

t t
A c e n u ry a f e r B a c o n La n g la n d ro e , w t
AC a s t ro n o my e i s h a r d h yn g a n d y v e l f o r t o k no
an t ,
we ;
G e o me tri e a n d g eo m e s i e so gy n f u l o f s p ec h e
, &c , .

V i s i on of P i e rs the P lo wma n P a ss us , x .

Li n e s , e i rc l e s , s c e n e s , le tt e rs , a n d c h a rac t e s
g .
’
Ma rlo w e D octor,

F austus S c i , . .
32 4 R OG ER BA CO N

a nd sul phur produ c e s a n e x plosion a nd we know t h at th is

, ,
‘

som e thing is c h arc o al Sin c e c h a p xi is c on c e rn e d wi t h t h e

. .

c o m p osi t ion a n d e ff e c t s o f t his mix t ur e wh at mor e p rob a bl e ,

th an th a t c h a ps ix a nd x sho uld d e a l wi t h i t s ingr ed i e nts

.

s e par at e ly— o r a t l e ast wi t h s al t pe t r e a nd c h ar c o al fo r ,

s ul phur was so sim pl e a nd c ommon a d r ug t h a t B ac on was

no t lik ely t o dwe ll u pon i t No w t ow ards t he e nd o f c h ap x ,
.

B ac on s pe aks wi t hou t disguis e o f c h a r c o a l und e r t h e na m e

o f t h e wood fro m whi c h i t is m a d e a n d m e n t ions t h e two
‘
,

tr e e s h az e l a nd willow whi c h give t h e b e s t He s igni fic ant ly

, ,
.

a dds th a t wh e n c h a r c o a l is a dd e d t o p ro pe r p ro portio ns o f

c e r t a in o t h e r subs t a n c e s som e t hing no t e wor t hy h a ppe ns 3

.
,

Sin c e th e n c h a rc o a l is o n e o f t h e s u bj e c t s o f t h es e two
, ,

c h a p t e rs i t b e c om e s a ll t h e mor e prob a bl e t h at s al t pe tr e
,

f orms a noth e r B ac on w as wri t ing b ut a fe w y e a rs a ft e r

.

i t s di s c ove ry a nd no t hing c o uld b e mor e n at ur al th an th a t

,

t h e gr e a t a l c h e mi s t sho uld b e st ow his a tt e ntion u pon t h e

r
p p e a r a t ion o f t h e n e w s alt This hy po t h e s is e x pl ains .

sim ply a nd c om pl e t e t he mos t r e m ark abl e fe at ur e o f

c h aps ix a n d x— t h e s e ri e s o f c ommon a nd w e ll known
.
-

al c h e mi c al t e rms a n d ph r a s e s r e fe rring undo u bt e dly t o t h e ,

p pr e a r a tion o f e i t h e r s a l t p e t r e o r gold which a r e s c a t t e r e d ,

an d hidd e n a mong in c oh e r e nt m a und e rings a b out c h alk a nd

ch ee s e p hiloso phi e e ggs a nd Tagus s a nd But how c ould

, .

t h e pr e p ar a t ion o f gold l e a d u p t o t h e r e c i pe fo r a n e x plosiv e

with whi c h c h ap xi e nds Th e r e is no c onn e xion wh at e v e r

.

b e tw e e n gold and gun p owd e r whil e t h e c onn e xion b e tw ee n ,

s alt pe tr e a nd gun powde r is o f t h e c los est po ssibl e kind .

B e for e giving a r e ci p e fo r gun p owd e r it was a bsolut e ly

n e c e ss ary for Bac on to d e s c rib e t h e m e thod o f re fini ng t he ,

To ni t ruu m m s c a t i o n e rn
’
e t eo .

Ae ne as Tac t i c us a d op s t th e sa m e m od e of e xp re ss i on ,
P ol ie r
he l i ko n ,
xxx v .
79 .

Si v e ro t
p a r e s v i r gul ti c o r yli a ut sa li c i s m ulta ru m just ä fe mm
s eri e ap e t o r d i n a v e ri s , un i o n e m n a t ur a l e m s e r v a b u n t : et h oc non
t r a d as ob li v i o ni , qui a v al e t ad mu l ta .
 GU NP OWDER 32 5

la t e ly discove r e d s alt pe tr e withou t whi c h his r e ci pe would

,

ha ve b ee n worthl e ss a nd h e took a dva nt ag e o f t he c los e

s i mil a rity be twe e n t he al c h e mi c al pr e pa r ation Of gold and
t h e r e fin in g o f s al t pe tr e to c on c ea l t he r e al i m p ort o f his tr ac t .

By t he t i t l e o f t he l as t thr e e c h a pt e rs On t he Me thod o f
Making t he P hiloso phe r s Ston e — a nd by c onst antly h ar p ing
’

on gold he e nd e a vour e d to dis t r ac t and d e c e iv e his ordin ary

,

r ea de rs l e ading th e m t o be li e ve th at he was wr iting about

,

gold whe n he was r ea lly tr e ating on s alt pe tr e .

Th e unn ame d s ubs t a n c e s a l t pe t re th e n is t he prin c i pa l , ,

subj e c t o f c h a ps ix a nd x a nd our c ours e is cl e ar We m ust

.
, .

tr e a t t h es e c h a pt e rs as we s hould t r e at Colon e l Esmond s ’

l e tt e r we r e t he br a k t s omi tt e d
c e — we m ust m a k e S hi ft t o
ins e rt t h e m We mus t br ac k e t t og e t h e r t he phr as e s a nd
.

s e nt e nc es r e l a ting t o t h e re a l s u bj e c t o f th e s e c h a pt e rs t he ,

fa mili ar al c h e mi c a l e x pr e ssions r e l a t in g to s a l t p e tr e On .

doing so we sh a ll find a c onn e c t e d a n d r ation al m e thod o f

re fi ni ng t h e s al t .

I n t h e following r e produ c tion o f c h a ps ix a nd x I h a v e .

us e d t he Esmond br ac k e ts b ut I h a ve not thought i t ,

n ec e ss ar y t o r e print all t he padding whic h c onn e c ts t h e m .

All omis sio ns howe v e r a re shown by dots

, ,
No word o f .

t he br ac k e t e d p hr as e s h as b e e n c h a ng e d alt e r e d a dd e d , , ,

or su p pre s s e d nor has t he ord e r o f t he words b e e n al t e r e d

,
.

No t hing has be e n don e bu t t o i n di c a t e by br ac k e ts t he mis

l e a d ing int e r pol a t ions .

CA P . IX

D e mod o f aci en di ovu m hi l h ru m

p os op o .

Di c o igitur tibi quod volo ordin a ri qu a e su pe rius n arr a vi 2

e x po n e r e ,
et id e o volo ovum ph rlos o pho rum e t part e s
h il h i c i ovi inv e s t ig at e n a m h o c e s t 1nrt rum ad ah a
p o s o p ,
.

Th a t i s s u p p os i ng we kne w t h e
,
j t
s ub e c of h i s le tt e r .

A n o t h e r r e a d i n g is o r d i n a t e
‘
2
 R OG E R BA CO N

C m i i d i l i r] a q u is a lk a li e t a l ns a uis ac ut is
[ a l c e g tu r g e nte
q
ri is c o n t r i t i o n i h us c u m sa l ib us c on fri c a
[p fl ]
u r i c a e t v a ,
et
lurib u s as s a t io n ib us c o nc re ma [ f
u t i a t te rr a
p u r a pe n i ta s
p ,

l i be r a ta a b a l i i s cl e me n ti s q ua m t ib i pr o m c ae lo ng it udi nis
s t atu ra di g n a m d uc o Int e llige si po t e s q ui a pro c uld ub io .
,

e ri t c o m po s i t um e x c l e m e n t is e t id e o e s t p a r s la pid is qui non ,

e s t l a p is e t e s t in q uo lib e t h o min e e t in q uoli be t loco

‘
,

ho m inis De i nd e ol e um a d mod u m c roc e i c as e i e t vis c osi

.

ac c i pi as
s
p rimo ,
i c t u i ns e c a b il e c u j us t o t a vir t us ign ea ,

d i v i d a t ur e t s e pa re t u r pe r d is t i lla t i o ne m ;
‘
[d i ss olvatur 7
a ute m i n a qu a ] a c u t a t e m po ra t ae a c u i t a t i s [c u m i gne le vi ,

u t d ecoqua tur q u a te n u s
p
se a r e tu r p i n g u edo s ua si e ut
p gi n u e d o in c a r n ib us M e lius e s t f a m e n u t d e c o q ua t ur
.

in a q uis t e m po ra t is in ac ui t a t e [dance purgetur et d eal betur] .

T o l ul l s us p i c i o n he c a l ls t
n a u ra l sa l t pe tre c ha lk , a ve rbu m

fi g ur a ti vu m . t
O h e r m a n us c r i p t s re a d sa ]

T e r e i ps u m f o r t i t e r c u m a q ua s a l is co mm un i s . A b l ue i n
ace t o a c e rr i m o Th e s ec io n .
’
t N i t r i S e pa ra t i o o f A r is t o t e l es d e ,

P e rf e ct o Ma g i s t e i o i n t h e r T he a tr u m C he m i c u m e d b y Z e t zn e r ; , .

a c o ll e c t i o n o f a lc h e m i ca l t a c t o f t h e M i d d le r s Age s i i i 6 8 , . .

A lm o s t l i t e a ll y t a ns la t e d b y “ h i t e h o n fr o m
'
r r r e c la r i fi e d a nd

m a tt e d il ig e n t l y p u g e d Wa i es f or
’

e a rt h e a n d g o s s r e r r . Ce rta i n the
o rd e r i ng o f S o ul d i e rs i n B a tte l r ay , Lo n d o n ,
1 5 60 .

it h e l a p i s A ss i u s
. e . sa l tpe t re . We h a v e h e re t
u n mi s a ka b l y

a ve r bu m a e n ig ma ti c u m . The e ffi o r e s c e nc e of t h e s o n e o f Asso s , t
w hi c h w a s u nk n o w n t o t h e c o wd w a s o f c o u se n o t a t o ne r , r
‘
s

a l t h o u gh c a ll e d s o T h e p h i lo so p h e s s t o n e w hi c h w as w e ll k no wn
’

. r ,

b y n a me t o t h e c o w d w a s l i k e w i s e n o t a s t o n e
r a l t h o ug h ca ll e d so
,

t is a sto n e
’

A n d n o t a s t o n e ; a s p i ri t a so u l a n d a bo d y , , .

Jo n so n A l c he mi s t
’

s .

B a co n a v a il s hi m s e l f of the a m b i gu i ty of the p h ra se s ,
t o ne whi c h is
not a t
s one ,
’
to s u p po r t t h e d e l us i o n c r ea t ed b y the t i t le o f t h e
t
c h ap e r , a n d c o n fi r w a r y i n t h e b e l i e f t h a t t h e phi loso ph er s
m the un
'

s t o n e i s u n d e r d i s c u ss i o n i n s t e a d o f sa l tp e t r e , .

5
H e p as se s s u d d e n l y f o m c h a l k t o c h e e se —y e ll o w c h e e se la ughing
r ,

o p e nl y in his r ea d e r s fa c e .

i . e . th e c l ea n s e d n a ur a l s a l t tp e tr e .

7
Put t h e j ar on a gen t le fire .
’
H as sa n -
e r - Ra mmah ( 1 2 7 5 —9 5 ) i n
R e in a u d and Fa v e s D u F eu Gr ég e o i s P a ri s 1 8 7 5 p , , , . 20 .

8
Th e m o h e r t l i q u i d i s b o il e d un t i l t h e s c u m c ea ses to ris e .
’

W a l th a m Ab b e y p r oc e ss i n t h e o ffi c i a l H a n dbook of , the Al f
a nu ac ture

of Gu npowde r b
y Ca p t F M Smi th R A 1 8 7 1
, . . .
, .
, .
 RO C ER BA CO N

ac c i p i as un a m m ho c e s t re ,
s e c r e t um s e c re t o rum , et n a t u rae
po t e ns m ira c ulu m [M i t d uo b us . a uf ex . i gi tu r ex ] ,

p luribus a u t [ P h ae n i c e
,
quod es t a n im a l singu l a r e ,

r ] or te m mal u m cui si l id
'

a d
[ j g u n e e t i n c p
or o ra
p
,
e u a r c a l u s

a d hi bea tu r
3
ha be bi s pr o pos i tu m u l ti mu m
,
ed p o st ea

c o e l e sti s n a t u ra d e b i li t a t ur si a q ua m in f undis t e r v e l q ua t e r .

D ivid e i g i t ur d e b il e a for t i in v a sis d i ve rs is s i mihi c re d as s

, .

E i i d b on u m es t ] I t rum d h i b l v e re m
[ v ac u a ta g t ur
q u o e a e p u ,

e t a qu a m q u ae re m a ns i t d i lig e nt e r e x prim e na m ro c e rt o ,

p a r t e s p u l v e r is d e d uc e t non i n c o r p o r a t a s E t i e o il lam .

a q ua m pe r s e c ollig e q ui a pulvis e xs ic c a t us ab c a ha be t ,

i nc o r po ra ri me d ic i n ae la x a t i v a e R ra cu m il ’
[ gy e p i s t lo ,

c t c ongr ega ma te r i a m ut pol es e t a qua m s epa r a pa ula ti m

] et ,

r e d i b i t a d s t a t um Q u a m a qu a m e x s i c c a b is . n a m c o n t i n e t ,

v e re m a q u a m m e d ic i n a e q sun t
8
u l t u i n o r o r a nd a
p e a e c p ,

s ic ut p u lvis p rin c i palis .

Wh e n t he br ac k e t e d words a nd phr as e s in t h e for ego ing

p a g e s a re r e a d or w ri tt e n c o ns e c u t i v e ly
‘
it will b e found ,

de eo pe r o m n ia
d re a m i n p re p a ra t i o ne ut a u ri , id es t , d es a t pe r
a la mb i e u m e t c o n g e la
’

&c , .

i . e . t o t h e la xa t i v e .

A ve r bu m a e n ig ma ti c u m . T h e P h o e n rx i s a s i ng u la r a ni mal , as

B aco n j us t l y o b s e e s rv , i na s m uc h as it s p r i ng s f ro m i t s o w n a s he s . It s
na me , t h e re fo e ma y b e fi gu r a t i v e l y
r , use d t
w i h pe r fe c p ro p ri e y t o t t
d e no te a n i m a l c ha rc oa l a n e fi ca c i o u s , age n t i n c la ri fy i n g s o l u io ns o f t
i m p ur e sa l t pe t re . B lo x a m
'

s C he mi s try , 8th ed .
, p .
48 8 .

B ac o n a pp e a r s t o h a v e po ur e d t h e h o t s o l u t ro n u po n t h e la m ti v e ,

p r e c i se l y a s Cla r k e d i re c s i n h i s N a tu r a l H i s to ry t o f N i tr e , Lo nd o n ,

ma tt e r h o w
’

16 70 , p .
42 P o ur t h e h o t li q ui d o n ashe s t is no
l e t i t r u n o ff t h e as h es a g a i n
’

soo n yo u .

i . e . t he re mo v a l of t h e i n s o l u b l e i m p ur i t esi .

5
Th e n p o u r i t i n o t h e o h e r t t jar .
’
H a ssa n ,
i n R e i na ud a nd

F a v é s D u F e tt Gr ég e o i s p 2 1
’
. .
,

i e i n o a c ry s a ll i zi n g jar
. . t t .

7
Th e so l u t i o n i s k e p t i n c o ns t a nt a g ita t i o n b y p o l es w h i le c oo li ng .
’

Walt h a m Ab b e y Re gs .

3
Th e t
mo h e r li q u i d ,
f ro m whi c h t h e sa l t p e tr e h o ur ha s bee n
d e p osi ted , i s b o i l ed d o wn a nd c ry s ta lli ed B l oxa m s Che mi s try
z .
’ ’

8 th edp 488 .
, . .

Th e y il l b e f o un d t a n d t ra nsla t e d in Gu npowde r a nd
w co ll e c ed

A mmu n i ti on b y t h e p re s e n t wr i t e r L o n gm an s 1 9 0 4 c h a p ii
, w he r e , , , .

t h e W a l t h a m Abb e y me t h o d i s g i v e n a l s o t o a d mi t o f c o mpa riso n , .

i n Ta b l e I .
 GU NP OWDE R 32 9

t hat th e m e thod o f re fin ing s alt pe tr e d e vis e d a bout 1 2 48

by a pe rs e cut e d mo nk falls little short o f t he mod e rn m e t hod
p ursu e d a t W alth am Ab be y though found e d on t h e e x pe ri
,

e nc e o f c e nturi e s an d su
p port e d by all t he h e l p a Gove rnm e n t
c oul d gi ve .

It woul d be pr esum ptuous to sugg e st th a t t h e f or e going

s o lution o f Ba con s st e g anogr am is fre e from e rror ; but
’

wha t e ve r e rrors may b e found t he re c an a t l e as t be lit t l e

,

doub t t ha t t he o c c ul t m ea ni ng o f t h e t wo ch a pt e rs is t h e
r e fini n
g o f s alt pe tr e O ne s e n t e n c e two s e n t e n c e s or e v e n
.
, ,

mor e might be s e l ec t e d from t he d escri pt ion o f almos t a ny

,

long che mi c al pr oc ess whi c h wo uld a pply with e qu al pro

p ri e t y t o som e oth e r proc ess ; bu t i t is i n c r e dibl e t h a t a
long v a ri ed and c onne c t e d proc es s suc h as t h e re fi ni ng o f
, , ,

s al t pe tr e c oul d be e xtr ac t e d by a ny m e t hod from do c um e n t s

,

pro fe ss e dly d e vo t e d t o t he philoso ph e r s s t on e unl e ss t his

'

proc es s ha d bee n d e sign e dly ins e rt e d t h e r e p i e c e m e a l or ,

whol e by t he a uthor hims e l f For t h e figurat iv e i nt e rpre

, .

t a t io n giv e n o f t wo or t h re e wo rds a nd p hr a s e s we h a v e ,

Ba c on s own w a rr a n t He t hre at e n e d t o e m ploy verba

'

a e n i gma ti ca a nd ve r ba d b n t ak e n at
flg u r a ti va a n h e h as e e,

his word wi t h t he r e s ul t t h a t a r a t ion a l ch e mi c a l pro c e ss

h as be e n e xtr ac t e d from wh a t was pr e viously unint e ll igibl e .

H a v ing s a id a ll h e had t o s a y a bout t he ingr e di e n t s ,

Bac on proc e e ds to d e a l wi t h t h e ir mix t ur e in c h a p xi in .

,

whi c h h e e m ploys a di ffe r e n t c ry pt i c m e thod .

CAP . XI

De eade m
,
l a men al i o modo .

Annis Ara b um 6 30 t ransa c t is pe t i t i o ni tu ae res po nd eo in

,

h un c modum I t e m p ondus totum 30 Se d t a me n s a lis .

p e tr e L U RU V O P O V I R C A N UT RI ET s ul p h ur is ; e t s i e fa ci es

t o ni t ru u m e t c o r usc a t i o ne m si s c i a s a rt ifi c i um
,
Vi d e as .

f a m e n u t rum lo q uo r e nig m at e an t s e cundum v e ri t a te m .

 RO G E R B ACO N

Omitting t h e n agra m t he t ra nsl a t ion is

a In t his 6 3oth
,

y e a r o f t h e Hij r a I c o m ply wi t h yo ur r e q ue st as follows .

Le t t h e tot a l w e ig ht ( o f t h e ingr e di e n t s ) be 30 Howe ve r .

,

o f s al t pe t r e o f s u l ph u r ; a n d wi t h su c h a mix t ur e you

will p rodu c e a b righ t fl ash a nd a t hund e ring no is e i f ,

o u know t h e t ri c k Y ou m a y fi nd ( b y a c t u al e x pe r i
y
o

m e n t ) wh e th e r I a m wri t ing riddl e s t o you or t h e pl ain

t r ut h .
’

Th e m e n t ion o f a fl ash a nd a lo ud nois e indi c at e s pl ainly

t h at we h a v e h e re t o do wi t h a n e x pl o sion B ut a mixtur e .

o f s al t e t r e a n d s ul h u r will no t e x lod e Th e r e for e t he

p p p .

n a m e o f som e t hi rd subs t an c e whi c h will r e nd e r t h e mixtur e

e x plosiv e mus t b e c on c e a l e d in t h e a n a gr a m Z um vopo vi r ,

c a n u tr i c t Th e c ons t r u c t ion o f t h e s e c o n d c l a us e o f t he
.

s e c ond s e nt e n c e ct s i c f a ci es &c shows t h at t h e a n a gr am

, ,
.
,

m ust c ont a in so m e v e rb su c h as ta ke or mi x in t h e im pe r a
, ,

tiv e mood We m a y e x pe c t t h e n a m e o f som e uni t o f

.

w e ight or t h e wo rd pa rtes ( p ar t s ) a nd t h e numbe rs o f t he

, ,

w e igh t s or p a r t s No w so mu c h in form at ion co uld no t

.
,

b e c onv e y e d t o u s by t h e t w e n t y l e tt e rs o f t h e a n a gr am .

Th e r e for e Bac on mus t h a v e h a d r e c o u rs e t o t he s e v e n t h

a n d l a s t o f t h e m e t hods o f c on c e a ling s ec r e t s e num e r a t e d

in t h e e ighth c h a pt e r o f t h e D e S e creti s t h e a rs n otator i a or ,

shorth and o f whi c h h e t hough t highly

,
.
‘

R e a rr anging t h e l e tt e rs o f t h e a n agr a m we ge t ,

a nd combining th e s e l e t t e rs into grou p s

R . V II . P A RT . V . N OV . CO RU L . V . ET

Th e s e c ond s e nt e n c e o f t h e abov e p ass ag e th e r e for e r e ads

s e d t am e n s al is tr r i i i rt s V nov ll o ruli f v
’

p e e e c p e V p a e e e c ,

Maju s arti fi c i u m o c c u l t a n d i q u e e s t a r s n o t a n di e t s c ri b e n di

ea b r e vi ta t e qu a v ol u m us e t e a v e loc i ta t e q ua d es i d e ramu s ca p v iii

. .

In c ha p x h e sa ys w i ll o w o r h a l e wo od
. h a vi n g z d is c o v er ed
3 32 RO G E R BA CO N

m al t h a or n a ph t h a mixe d wi t h o t h e r s ubst a nc es
,
‘
,
.

th e s e a re a lli e d Gr e e k fi re a nd m a ny o t h e r inc e ndi a ri e s .

’

B ut sid e b y sid e wi t h t h e s e pa ss a g e s we find d e s c ri pt io ns

o f ign e o us c om p osi t ions o f a t o t a lly di ff e r e n t kind Th e r e .

a re o t h e r n a t u r a l wond e rs We c a n produc e in t he a ir .

s o unds lo ud a s t hund e r a nd flas he s b righ t as lightning — na y ,

e v e n sur p a ssing t he pow e rs o f n a t ur e A sm a ll qua n t i t y o f .

( a c e r t a in ) com posi t ion no bigg e r t h a n o n e s t h um b w ill giv e

'

, ,

fo r t h ( on igni t ion ) a d e a fe ni ng nois e a nd a vivid fla sh We .

’

h a v e t oo t he pass ag e a lre a dy quo t e d in t he e le v e nth

, , , ,

ch a pt e r wh e re he s a ys t h a t s al t pe t r e a nd sul ph ur a nd some
,

th i ng el s e give for t h ( on igni t ion ) a t hund e ring no is e and

a vivid fl a sh

Th e c ons e qu e nc e s o f igni t ing t h e s e t wo c l ass e s o f com posi

tion a re d e s c rib e d so c l e a rly as t o pr e c lud e a ll possibl e
mis und e rst a nding t h e i nc e ndi ary bur ns fi e rc e ly whil e t he ,

o t h e r mix t ur e give s for t h a br i ght fla s h a nd a la nd noi se .

I n t h e l a t t e r c a s e Ba c on was d e scribing a n e x plosion a nd , , ,

as h e h as e ls e wh e r e s pok e n o f s a l t pe t r e c h a r c o a l a nd , ,

sul phur t he r e asona bl e c onclusion is t h a t t he e x plosive

.

was g un powd e r .

I t h as b e e n s a id t h a t t h e firs t o f t he for e going p ass ag e s

th e r e are o t h e r n at ur a l wond e rs &c — d escribe s a rocke t ,
’

. .

As e v e rvb o d y knows a ro c ke t in i t s fligh t m ak e s a wh izzing ,

nois e a nd is followe d by a t r a il o f h e a t e d g as a nd s parks .

M a lt a
q ua e e s t g e n us b i t u m i n is
, Opu s M aj us Lo nd o n .
’

, ,

1 7 33 p 4 7 4 ( e d B r i d g e s i i
, . .
, .

P os s u mu s a rt i fi c i a li t e r c o m p o n e re i g n e m c o m b ure n t e m sc ili cet , ,

ex sa le p e t ra e e x o l eo pe t ro leo ma l t ha e t na p h ta e t co n
ex

si mi l i b us H is v i c i n us e st i gn i s g r a e c us e t m ult a co mb ure n t ia .
’

D e S e c re ti s , ca p . vi .

S un t a l i a s t up e nd a n a t ura e . Nam so n i v e l ut t o ni t rua e t c o m s

c at i o n e s fi e ri p o ss un t i n a e r e i mm o ma jo ri h o rr o r e q uam illa q ua e fi unt
p e r na t u ra m . t
N a m m o d i ca m a e ri a a d a p ta t a s c ili c e a d q ua nti ta te m ,
t
u n i u s p o lli c i s , so n u m f a c i t h o rr i b il e m et co m s ca t i o n e m os te ndi t
v e h e me n e m t .
’
D e S ec re ti s , c ap . vi .

See p . 1 56 .
 GU NP OWDER 333

Th e whi z zin g nois e c an only b e com par e d t o thund e r by

a t ot al dis r e g a rd o f fac t f or no sound r e s e mbl e s t hund e r
,

l es s Th e h e ry tr a il c an onl y be c al l e d a fl ash by a n e qu al
.

d isr e g ard o f fac t it give s a c ontinuous light But i f t he .

roc k et c arri e s a bursting c h a rg e whi c h e x plod e s in mid air -

,

t he e x plos ion m a y with v e ni al e x agg e r a tion b e s a id t o

, ,

p r o d uc e a fl a sh lik e light ni ng a n d a nois e lik e thund e r .

Bac on was all uding t o a burs t ing c h a rg e c onsis t ing o f an

e x p los iv e a nd th a t e x plosiv e was g u n powd e r
, .

H ad Bacon c on s id e r e d t h e p o ss ibili t y o f c on t rolling a nd

u t iliz ing t he e x pl os iv e for c e o f gun powd e r ; o f proj e c t ing by
i t s m ea ns a h ea vy body from a s t rong tub e t hrough a c e rt a in
di ta nc e in a c e r in direc t ion
s t a ?

Th e r e is no t hing in his work s ( so fa r a s I a m ac qu ain t e d with

t h e m ) whi c h sugg e s t s t h at h e h a d He kn e w t h at gun .

p owd e r e x p lod e d a n d h e be li e v e d t h a t a n a rmy might b e

,

e i t h e r ac tu a lly blown u p by i t or p u t to fligh t by t h e t e rror ,

ins pire d by i t s e x plosion bu t h e s e e ms t o h av e gon e

no fur t h e r He e x pe rim e n t e d prob a bly m t h v e ry sm all
'

.
, ,

q u a n t iti e s o f it ; a n d t h e b e h a viour o f gu n p owd e r wh e n

fi re d in l a rg e qu a n t i t i e s und e r pr e ssur e is so unlik e its

beh a vi our wh e n fi re d in sm all qu a n t iti e s in t he o pe n a i r ,

t h a t its p roj e c tiv e for c e c ould n e ith e r h a v e b e e n pre di c t e d

by abstr ac t r e asoning nor r e aliz e d by e v e n his powe r ful
im agin at ion .

Th e fa mous Gr e e k fi r e was not a n e x plosiv e bu t an i nc e n ,

d i a ry mix t ur e Th e c l a ims t o t he inv e n t ion o f gun powd e r

.

whi c h h a v e b ee n m ad e fo r t h e Ar abs a nd Hindus c oll a ps e

wh e n c ri t i c al ly e x amin e d Th e inv e n t ion h as alw ays b e e n
.

dis avowe d on t h e par t o f th eir c oun t rym e n by sob e r Chin e s e

histori ans though in d e s pit e o f t h e m a c l aim was r ais e d in
,

t h e e ight ee nth c e ntury by som e J e suit mission a ri e s who

Thi s i s M B er h e l o. t t s v iew
'
S ur la F or ce des M a ti ér es E xplos i ves ,

P a ri s , 1 8 8 3, ii .
35 8 and i t i s p ro b a b l y t h e ri
gh t one .
u nwi t tingly c on found e d e x plosive a nd inc e ndi ary mixture s .
‘

B y who m t h e n wa s g un powd e r inv e n t e d

, ,

I f g u n powd e r h a d b e e n inv e n t e d by a no t h e r a nd i f Bacon

was ind uc e d b y lov e o f s c i e n c e t o writ e a b ou t i t t h e r e is no ,

a ppa r e n t r e a son why h e sh o uld h a v e don e m or e t h a n d e sc ri be

i t fully in t he m e t a p hori c a l l ang uag e o f t he a l c h e mis t s B ut .

no t c on t e n t wi t h t he fre e us e o f fig ura t i v e t e rms he buri ed ,

t he fac t s in t h e l a borio us c i ph e r o f c h a ps ix a n d x an d .

in t he two a n agr a ms o f c h a p xi o ne o f whi c h s t ill d e he s .

,

t h e ing e n ui t y o f ma n I t was a s t r ong mo t iv e sur e ly t ha t

.
, ,

move d him t o ac t in t his wa y a nd th e r e is b ut o n e ra t io nal ,

e x pl a n ation o f h is b e h a viou r n a m e ly t h a t h e hi ms e l f was ,

t he inv e ntor o f gun powd e r a nd t h a t h e wa s d r iv e n t o e m ploy

,

c ry pti c m e t hods by fe a r o f t h e Inquisi t ion whi c h h ad b ee n ,

f ound e d by Po p e Gr e gory I X a bou t t he ye a r 1 2 33 Th e .

Chu rc h h e w e ll kn e w wo uld e x a c t a dr e a d ful r e tribution

, ,

f r om t h e m a n who dis c ov e re d a nd r e c o rd e d t h e com posi t ion

o f a subs t a n c e b e li e v e d t o p oss e ss m a gi c a l p ro pe rt i e s a nd ,

who bro a dly hin t e d a t i t s possibl e u t ility in w ar far e No .

’

pr e c a utions c o uld b e t oo a m pl e or t oo min u t e t o sh e l t e r su c h

a ma n fr om t h e w r a t h o f t he Holy O ffi c e Unh a ppily hi s .

e l a bor a t e d e vi c e s mys t i fied fri e nd a nd fo e alike th e y

e n a bl e d h i m to e v a d e t he gr as p o f t h e I nquisi t ion but t h e y ,

d e prive d him fo r c e n t uri e s o f t h e hono ur o f his dis c ove ry .

In al l p rob a bili t y gun powd e r was not inv e nt e d b ut ,

dis c ove r e d a c c id e n t a lly by Ba con 3

j ust as t h e structur e
of c rys t a ls wa s dis c ov e re d acc id e n t a lly by Ha ii y t h e ,

p ol a riz a tion o f light by Ma lus g a lv a nis m by G al v a ni a nd , ,

t h e d e com p osi t ion o f w a t e r by Nicholson Whils t h e was .

On t h e s ub ecj t o f t h is p a a g rap h s e e G unpowde r a nd A mmuni ti on

r ,

b y the p r e s e n t wri t e r Lo n g m a n s 1 9 0 4
, , .

D e S e c re ti s , ca p . vi .

H a ll a m ( M i d dl e Ag es 1 2 t h
3
, ed i 4 7 9 ) s ugg es
.
, . t ed th a t g un po wd e r
wa s d i sc o v e r ed a c c i d e n t a lly ; b ut h e a d d e d , p e rh a p s in so me
re mo t e age a n d d is ta n t r e gi o n ,
’
no t h a v i ng b e e n a ware t h a t saltp e tr e
was un k n o w n b e fo r e t h e p e ri o d A D . . 1 2 2 5- 50 .
 ROGE R B A CON AND ME DIC IN E

BY E . W ITH ING TON

THE ME D I CI NE O F THE THIR I EE NTH CE NTURY
' ‘

R ICHE R monk o f Rh e ims in his valu abl e H i story of hi s

, ,

own Ti mes r e l a t e s a c urious c ont e st b e tw e e n a n e c c l e si a sti c a l

,

and a l ay physi c i a n whi c h m a y f orm a n a p p ro p ri a t e p r e fac e

,

t o som e e stim at e o f Fri ar Bac on s a ttitud e towards t h e ’

p r a c tition e rs o f his a g e a n d a bri e f acc ount o f t h e st a t e o f

m e di c in e in t h e thirt e e nth c e ntury .

In A D 946 di e d De ro l d Bisho p o f Ami e ns a n honour a bl e

. .
, ,

courti e r b e love d o f t h e king a nd v e ry s kill e d in m e di c in e

, .

Th e story is told th a t wh e n h e s e r v e d t h e king h e h ad a

, ,

c ont e st in c u nning with a c e rt a in S a l e rnit a n B oth w e r e .

e x c e ll e nt p hysi c i a ns b ut whil e D e r ol d was in gr e a t e r fa vour

,

with t h e ki n g t h e qu e e n c onsid e r e d t h e S al e r nit a n mor e

,

sk il ful 8 0 t h e ki n g c o n tri—v e d a way to t e st th e ir r e s pe c tive

.

a bility witho u t th e ir knowing it H e invit e d both to dinn e r

.
,

a nd p ut q u e stions to th e m on m e di c al m a tt e rs Th e y .

a nsw e r e d as b e st th e y c ould De ro ld b e ing a m a n o f l e arn ,

ing g a ve s a tis fac tory d e fi ni ti o ns ; whil e t h e S al e rnit a n

, ,

though without a ny lit e r a ry knowl e dg e p oss e ss e d gr e a t ,

t al e nt an d pr ac ti c al e x pe ri e n ce By roya l c omm and th e y .

c a m e to dinn e r e v e ry d a y an d sa t n e xt to o n e a noth e r
,
.

No w th e y w e r e dis p uting o n e d ay ov e r t h e d yna m id i ae

,

( p ot e n c i e s ) o f drugs a n d t h e r e s p e c tive p rovin ce s o f p h a r

,

mac e ut i c s bot a ni c s a nd c hirurgi e s Th e S al e rnit a n h a d n e v e r

, , .

h e ard thos e str ang e n am e s so h e blush e d and was sil e nt , .

Th e n ce forth h e b e c a m e so j e a lous th a t h e p lott e d to p oison

his riva l whil e p re t e nding s pe c i al fr i e ndshi p for him H a ving
,
.

p pr e a r e d a p oison h e a noint e
,
d t h e n a il o f his middl e fing e r
the r e with and put it in t h e p e p pe r w at e r (li quorem pi per zs )
'

in whi c h th e y both di ppe d th e ir food De ro ld c ar e l e ssly .

,

t asting the r e o f soon b e g an to fe e l unwe ll ; so h e was led

, .

out by his fri e nds and c ur e d hims e l f in thr e e d a ys wi th

the ri ac On his r e turn he conc e al e d his knowl e dg e o f t he
.

tri c k and wh e n t he S a l e rnit an inquir e d aft e r his h e alth

I

1 68 9 Z
338 R OG E R BA CON

s a id he had h ad a slight c a t arrh tr e ating him with gre at ,

c ourt e sy so a s to p ut him o ff his g u a rd Th e n h e ( De r o ld ) .

str e we d som e p oison whi c h h e h e ld b e twe e n h is littl e and

,

ring finge rs on his n e ighbour s m e at whi c h b e ing abso r b e d

,
’
,

drove out t h e vit al h e a t a n d t h e si c k Sale m it an was le d ,

a w a y by his fri e nds H e t r i e s to e x p e l t h e p oison but i n

.
,

va in No w h e p r a is e s De rold as t h e b e st o f physi c i a ns a n d
.

e ntr e a ts his a id D e ro l d a t t h e king s c omm a nd g a v e him

’
.
, ,

a ntidot e s but p ur p os e ly l e ft t h e c u r e in c om pl e t e
,
fo r th e
th e r i ac drove t he p oison down into his l e ft foot wh e re it ,

c a us e d a sw e lling a n d a ft e rw a rds a n o p e n wound so th at , ,

fin ally his f oot was mis e r a bly a m p ut at e d by t h e surg e o ns

’
.
,

The worthy monk is thought som e tim e s to h ave put

e di fi c at i on b e for e acc ur a c y a n d som e d e t ail s o f th is story ,

may b e doubt e d but it r e pr e s e nts in p a rt B a c on s attitud e

’

, , ,

in th e most int e r e stin g o f his m e di c al tr e a tis e s t h e De ,

errori bu s .

He is th e r e e x p osing t h e d e fec ts o f t h e inh e ritors o f t he

S al e rnit a n tr a dition t h e Lati no ba rbare as th e y w e r e a ft e r
'

-
,

w ards c a ll e d me n who kn e w no Gr ee k a nd h a d r e a d but

,

littl e e ve n o f th e Latin ve rsions o f Avi c e nn a Rh az e s and the , ,

oth e r Mosl e m physi c i ans Th e s e w e r e c ontr ast e d with t he.

L a ti ni el ega ntes et docti who kn e w Aristotl e a nd t h e Ar a bs

, ,

an d with whom t h e D octor mi r a bi l i s wo u ld doubtl e ss h a v e

cl ass e d hims e l f though t h e e l eg an c e o f his Latin wo ul d

,

sc ar c e ly h a ve s at i sfi e d Lin a c r e In t h e tr ac t De errorzbus
'

Ba con d e a ls with th e s e L a ti no ba r ba ri t h e vulgus medi corn rn -

, ,

much in t h e styl e in whi c h t h e B isho p o f Ami e ns p rob ably

a ddr e ss e d t h e S al e rnit a n But t h e dyn a mi di a e and p h a r
.

mac e ut i c s h a ve b e e n r a is e d to a high e r p l a n e by a i d o f t he
m ath e m ati c s o f Alki ndi bot ani c s h as b e c om e agri culture
,

phi los ophi cal a nd two fr e sh s c i e n c e s al c h e my an d astrology

, , ,

h a ve b e e n introduc e d und e r Gr e e k and Ar abi c a uthority ,

not to m e ntion Bac on s o wn sci enti a expw zrnentali s We ll’ '

might th e Lati no barbari blush and b e s il e nt l Bac on

-
,

howe ve r though he s e e ms to h a ve s uff e r e d much from

,

P e rt z M onume n ta German i a e , i i i 6 0 0
, . .
340 R OG ER BA CO N

to S al e rno a bout 1 0 60 a n d th e y pa id littl e att e ntion to t he

,

tr a nsl ations from t he Ar a bi c whic h th at r e m a rk a ble ma n ,

Ori enti s et Occ i dentzs magi s ter flnlgen s Hl ppocra tes

'

,
n ovusqu e e ,

issu e d as his own c om positions from t he m on ast e ry o f Mont e

Ca ssino I n t h e n e xt c e ntury th e y p rodu c e d littl e mor e
.

th a n books on d rugs and wh e n o ne o f th e ir most l e a rn e d

,

m ast e rs Gill e s o f Corb e il att e m pt e d a t t he c los e o f th a t ,

e p o c h to giv e l e c tu r e s a t Mon t p e lli e r h e was howl e d do wn ,

by t h e stud e nts as a t e ac h e r e ntir e ly o ut o f d at e For t he .

gr e a t r e viv a l had b e g un whi c h m ar ks t he thirt e e nth c e nt ury ,

an d whi c h a mong oth e r things s av e d m e di c in e from

, ,

d e g e n e r ating into t he h a nds o f rusti cz an d La ti n o ba r bari

'

-
.

F r om e ast w e st an d south from Const a ntino pl e t ak e n

, , ,

by t h e Crus ad e r s in 1 2 0 4 from Tol e do long lost to Isl am , ,

but still r e t a ining m a ny r e li c s o f t h e s l udza S a racenormn

'

f rom t h e Sic ili a n c o ur t o f t h e E m p e ro r Fr e d e r i c k stuf>or ,

mundi t he writings o f Aristotl e a n d t h e Ar a bs p our e d lik e

,

a flo o d ov e r t h e s c hools o f w es t e rn E u r o pe .

Th e t r ium ph a l p rog re ss o f A r istotl e is o ne o f t h e m arv e ls

o f m a n s m e nt a l history The P hys i c a a nd M eta phys i ca o f
’
.

t he pa g a n philoso ph e r who t a ught t h e e t e rnity o f t h e ,

unive rs e th e mort ality o f t he soul a nd t h e non int e rve ntion

, ,
-

o f t h e De ity in t h e fat e o f t h e wo r ld or t h e a ffa i r s o f m e n ,

w e r e prom ptly and n a t ur ally c ond e mn e d by t he Chur c h in

1 20 9 1215
, a nd l a t e r Ye t in l e ss th a n a c e ntury t h e
, .
, ,

gr e at e st o f Catholi c th e ologi ans h a d c onve rt e d th e m into

a bulw a rk o f orthodoxy a n d t h e gr e a t e st o f Ca tholi c p o e ts ,

h a d giv e n th e ir a uthor t h e immort al titl e Mas t e r o f thos e ,

who know .
’

Th e influ e nc e o f Aristotl e o n m e dicin e was div e rs e .

I ndir e c tly h e c ontribut e d to t h e un fortun a t e domin a n c e o f

Avi c e nn a whos e Ca non b e c a m e t h e rul e o f Euro pe an
,

P os t qu am cu m f ort i t e r v e rb e ra v e run t , c la mab ant po s t i ps um

t t i c us arms
i Q uo t e d b y P a n si e r
’
ac s e ss e r us vel ca l c if e x . , ,

Sep t e mb e r 1 90 4 .
 MEDICINE 341

p r a ctic e f o r thr ee c e nturi e s m a inly b e c a us e it ,

w as thought

to h a rmoniz e Aristotl e with G al e n j ust as St Thom as ,

.

h a rmoni z e d him with Ca tholic truth The h armony was .

far from c om pl e t e as ind e e d B ac on p oints out but was

, , , ,

s ufii c i e nt to im p r e ss t h e m e di ae v a l hysi c i a n who h e ld th a t

p ,

wh e r e G al e n an d Aristotl e di ffe r e d non e c oul d d e cide and ,

wh e r e th e y a gr e e d non e c ould diss e nt .

B ut on t h e oth e r h and t h e study o f t h e Philoso ph e r

, ,

g a ve a n e w fre e dom to t ho ught a nd t h e inve stig ation o f

Na tu r e— hith e rt o l a rg e ly look e d u p on as a ruin b e s e t with ,

p it f al ls a n d h a unt e d by d e mons into whos e c lut c h,

e s t h e

r ash e x plor e r o f its m ys t e ri e s was c e r t a in to fall i f he h ad ,

not m a d e a n unholy c om pac t wi t h th e ir m ast e r t he Princ e ,

o f this world This was now r e pl ac e d i m p a rt by t h e

'

.
, ,

Gr e e k vi e w o f t h e unive rs e as a h a rmonious whol e t he ,

di a pa son c losing full in m an who is hims e l f a littl e univ ers e ,

’

0 1 mi c ro c osm .

Bac on s a tti t ud e tow a rds Aristo t l e di ffe rs som e wh a t from

’

th at o f c ont e m por a ry physi c i a ns su c h as P e t e r o f Ab ano ,

t h e gr e a t Con c ili a tor who a t t e m pt e d to c om pl e t e t h e work

,

of Avi ce nn a . H e s p e aks with dis pa r a g e m e nt o f su c h

tr e atis e s as t h e Topi cs an d S ophi s ti cz El en chi as l e a ding onl y
'

to va in dis p ut ations a nd p a ys mor e honour to t h e S ecr eturn

,

S ee r etorn rn a n d oth e r s purio u s produ c tions in whi c h t h e

p s e udo -
Aris t otl e hints a t m a rv e ll ous r e m e di e s p r a is e s the ,

virtu e o f vi p e r s fle sh and r e c omm e nds Al e x and e r t h e Gr e at

’

to t a ke rhub arb This pl e as e d Bac on s pr a c ti c al mind

.
’

e s p e c i al ly a s rhub a rb was t h e fa vourit e m e di c in e whi c h h e

took hims e l f B ut Aristotl e wa s a n As c l e p i a d t he m e mb e r

.
,

o f a m e di c a l fa mily as w e ll a s dis c i p l e o f Pl a to
,
a nd in , ,

t he g e nuin e works t h e As c l e p i a d som e tim e s o ve rcom e s t h e

,

s pe c ul ative phil oso ph e r Th e r e is a famous p ass ag e quot e d

.
,

by p r ac tition e rs c ont e m p or a ry with Bacon and twic e ,

notic e d by him in t h e D e errori bus whi c h give s so c l e a r ,

a vi e w o f wh a t h e p rob a bly m e ant by sci enti a expefl rn m tal zs

'
342 R OG E R BA CON

th at it may be r e pe at e d in full in t he l angu ag e of Pro fesso r

Go mpe rz .

At th e e nd o f t h e P osteri or A n alyti cs im ag e and a fi ne

o ne o f gr e a t s ig ni fi c a n c e p r e s e nts its e l f As wh e n t he tide .
,

o f b a ttl e turns first o ne stout h e a rt e d warrior holds his -

,

ground th e n a s e c ond a thir d a n d c ontin u ally m or e and

, , ,

mor e ; so in t he mind t he first s e ns e—i mpr e ssion o f which

a c o p y r e m a ins is j oin e d by a s e c ond th e n a third a n d oth e rs ,

in in c r e asing numb e rs t ill fro m th e summ ation o f r e t aine d

,

p e r c e p tions th e r e ris e s t h e c om p l e t e d stru c tur e o f an

e x p e ri e n c e For out o f pe r c e ption th e r e is first produ c e d

.

m e mory whil e e x pe ri e n c e is t h e r e sult o f r e pe at e d m e mori es

,
.

Out o f e x p e ri e nc e in its turn or o ut o f all t h e

, , Unive rs al
th a t b e ing a o ne a s we ll as m any h as b e c om e fi rm root e d ,

in t h e mind th e r e pro ce e d ar t a nd s c i e nc e wh e re by ,

s c i e n ce pu r e th e ory is m e a nt a nd by art th e ory ap pli e d ,

to p r ac ti c e In this c ont e xt it is st at e d with e x pr e ss e m ph asis

th a t it is s e ns e p e r c e ption th a t g e n e r at e s unive rs a l notions ,

a n d th a t we n e ce ss a rily obt a in a ll our first princ i pl e s by

indu c tion ( G r ee k T hi n ke rs iv , .

This with s pe c i a l e m ph a sis on t a ngibl e knowl e dg e and

,

t he v e ri fi c at i o n o f truth in s e ns e s e e ms t o b e B ac on s
’

s ci en ti a expe ri men ta li s ( T his p a ss

. a g e tog e th e r with t h e ,

oth e r r e fe rr e d to by B ac on as i n pri nci pi o M etaßhys i ce is ,

quot e d by his young e r c ont e m p or a ry H e nry o f Mond e vill e ,

Cyru rgi a ii 8 P hi los oj> hns d i ci t i n fin e I F posteri or urn

.

Ex multi s s e n s i bi l i bn s fit u na memori a ,
et ex multi s memori i s
unum eri rn entn rn
ß multi s ex;be ri rn enti s u nu m
ex ex
fi t

qu od es t pri nci pi u m arti s et sci enti ae

un i vers a le , S i mi li ter
quod ra ti o s i t de bi li s n on jnncto s i bi experi menta pa tet
,

auctori ta te P hi l oso;öhi i n r ohoerni o metaphys i cae

“

p exp ertos

magi s proficer e vi dern us , s ci l i cet s i n e ra ti on e qu a m,

s u;5 ßl e ,

r a ti one u te n tes s i n e ex beri rn entof

; )
Ne xt t o experi enti a B acon r a nks m ath e m a tics : If in
oth e r sci e n c e s we wo uld r e ach c e rtitud e fre e from doubt ,
344 R OG E R BA CON

brought in h e l p e d towards th is s e c ond trium ph o f astrology

,

which was no long e r so strongly o pp os e d by th e ologi a ns .

Thos e who w e nt too fa r or we r e oth e rwis e h e re ti c al lik e , ,

P e t e r o f Ab ano might incur t he s e ve re st c e nsur e s o f t h e

,

Chur c h but a Da nt e might without r e buk e p ut a lmost on

, , ,

a l e ve l with D ivin e p rovid e n ce t h e opra d ell e r ote magn a ,

c he dr i zza n c i as cun se rn e a d a l cn n fi n e , s ec ondo che le s telle

s on c om;öa gne

Pr ac ti c al m e n howe ve r who h ad to e a rn th e ir living s

, , ,

we re not ye t c arri e d a wa y by t h e c u r re nt a nd Mond e vill e ,

tr e ats t he m att e r with his usu al humour good s e ns e a nd e ye , ,

f o r t h e fe e H e knows th at Hi pp o c r a t e s h ad s a id i n t h e
.

Es t eti a m quodda rn coel e ste in dis e a s e whi c h

’

P rognosti cs , , ,

m e a ns th a t a surg e on must kee p his e ye on t he moon ( p .

th at Ptol e my h ad writt e n i n c enti logi o pm;öos i ti on e 2 0 “

S eca r i me mbra f erro l nna in s i gn e s i gn a n te s u

‘
,
exe u nte per
i ;bs a horr i bi l e es t ( p
,
th at physi c i a ns r e c ognize d
. and

t h e a bsu r dity o f giving a l ax ative downw ar ds wh e n t h e

moon is in t h e r am b ull or h e go at for th e y a re ruminant , ,
-
,

a nim als a n d e v e ryth i ng th e n n a tur all y t e nds to r e turn to

,

t h e mouth B ut f or t h e p r ac tition e r h is p a ti e nts n ee ds

’
.
, ,

( a n d his own ) a r e su p r e m e Th e r e a r e ti m e s o f e l e c tion .

indi ca t e d doubtl ess in p art by t h e st a rs but th e r e are

, , ,

a lso tim e s o f n e c e ssity We must o ft e n o p er at e without .

t roubling a bout t h e moon a nd t h e zo di ac or t h e p ati e nt ,

P urg a tor i oxxx 1 0 9 Th e i mp o rt a n c e a tt i b ut e d t o as tr ol ogy

, . . r

e v e n i n t h e m os t e nli gh t e n e d c i c l e s i s w e ll s e e n i n t h e f o ll o wi ng r

e xtr a c t f r o m a c o n t e mp o ary a c c o u n t o f t h e m arr i a g e o f t h e E m p e ro r

r

F re d e ri c k I I wi t h I sa b e ll a o f E n gl a n d 1 2 35 N o c t e v e r o q ua , .
, ,

c o nc u b u i t im p e r a t o r c u m ea n o l ui t e a m c a rn ali t e r c o gn o s c e r e d o n e c
,

c omp e t e n s h o r a a b A s tr ol og i s e i n u n c i a r e t u r Co n s u mm a t a a u t e m .

c a rn a l i c o mm ix t i o n e su mm o m a n e d e p ut a v i t , ea m q uasi p r e g n an t e m
d ili g e n i t t
c u s od i a e d i c e ns e i, Cu s t o di te di li g e n t e r , q ui a h a b es
in u t e ro m asc u lum Ma tth e w P a ri s Chr on i ca M aj , or a a d a nn um
,

'

1 2 35 ( iii : Th e e mp e ror r e po r e d t a ll t hi s t o H e nr y I II , b y th e
B i sh o p of E xe te r a n d d e Sa n o to E gi d i o O P , . . Th e p r o p h e c y was
c o rr e c t ,
b ut t h e b oy di e d i n i n f a n c y .
 MEDICINE 345

may d i e ( p 343) . whil e i f h e h e sit a t e s and s e e ms lik e ly ,

to c all in som e oth e r pr ac tition e r t h e prud e nt surg e on m ay ,

p oint out th a t t h e c e l e sti al a s pe c ts a re j ust now at th e ir

ve ry b es t or simil arly post p on e o pe r a tion t ill h e h as
, , ,

assur a n c e o f p a ym e nt i f h e is doubt ful o f g e tting it a ft e r

,

wa rds (p 3 . How far B ac on s pr ac ti c al mind would h a ve ’

l e d him in t h e s a m e dir e c tion in simil a r c ir c umst a n c e s we

c a n o nl y c onj e c tur e but we a r e still f a r from t h e tim e wh e n
,

th e s e th e ori e s we r e c arri e d to g r e at e r l e ngths wh e n in t h e full , ,

bl a z e o f t h e R e n aiss a nc e t h e most l e ar n e d o f t h e r e form e rs

, ,

Me l a n c hthon p ublish e d a n e w e dition o f Ptol e m y s Te tra

,
’

bi blos et centi l ogi mn a nd wh e n d e c r e e s o f town c oun c ils

,

f orb a d e me n to b e bl e d or sh a v e d on d a ys m ark e d d ang e r

ous in a strologi c al a lm a n a c s .

Th e high e r c riti c ism h as pl a y e d h a vo c a mong m e di a e v al

a lch e mists Th e myst e r ious G e b e r ma gi s ter magi stror u nz
.
, ,

a s B ac on c a ll e d him h a s a lmost v a nish e d most tr e a tis e s on

, ,

a l c h e my a ttribut e d to Alb e r tus Ma gnus R aim on Lull a nd , ,

A m ald o f V ill a nov a a re d e c l a r e d s p u r ious a n d t h e l a st ,

gr e a t figur e th e p ious S p agyr ist

, Ba sil V a l e ntin e is ,

p ronoun c e d to b e t h e sh a dow o f a n im p osing n a m e m a d e

t o c ov e r c om par a tive ly mod e rn pr odu c tions Th e r e is littl e .

doubt howe ve r th a t t h e b e st in fl u e n ce o f t h e Ar abic

, ,

writ e rs on m e di c in e was t h e im p ort an c e th e y a ttribut e d to

a l c h e m y for t h e dis c ov e ry o f n e w drugs a n d t h e pro p e r ,

synth e sis a nd fe rm e nt ation o f c om p ound r e m e di e s Le o .

A fri ca nus at a l at e r p e riod d e scrib e s a c h e mic a l soci e ty

, ,

a t Fe z as a most st u p id s e t o f m e n ( s tußi di ss i rn i homi n es)

who c ont amin a t e th e ms e lve s with sul phur and oth e r horribl e
stinks Th e y are wont to m e e t in t h e e ve ning at t h e prin c i pal
.

mosqu e a nd th e r e dis p ut e ove r th e ir va in im agin ations

,

D oubtl e ss th e r e w e r e simil a r a sso c i ations in t h e gold e n age o f

S ar ac e ni c studie s and m any Ar abists o f t he thirt e e nth
c e ntury w e r e e ag e r to continu e th e ir l abours
‚
.

Al c h y mi st a e
‘ ’
D e s cr ij> ti o toti a s Af r i ca e l i b 3 , . . s v . . .
346 R OG ER B A CON

Of t h e two gre a t m e di c a l s c hools whic h r e pl ac e d S al e m o ,

P a du a r e pr e s e nt e d A r istot e li anis m and ast r ology in P e t e r o f

Ab a no wh il e Mo n t pe lli e r c l a i m e d a s pu pil t h e c hi e f e x pone nt
,

o f t h e a l c h e my o f t h e p e riod Arn ald o f V ill a nova It is

, .

int e r e sting to c om pa re B ac on with Arn ald B oth b e li e ve in .

t h e p ossibility o f tr a nsmuting m e t a ls a nd Arn ald is al l e g ed ,

by a c ont e m por a r y to h a ve m a d e go ld B ut a s c i e nc e .
I

which t e a c h e s ( as Bac on s a ys ) how to r e solve quodli bet ex

u o l i be t a n d to a n al ys e t h e mu n du s i nf e r i or into i t s e l e m e n t s
q , ,

m ay ac c om pl ish gr e at e r things th a n this Curiously e nough .

,

t h e old e r m a n s e e ms ignor a nt o f Am ald s fa vourit e al c ohol

’

t h e aqu a vi n i or vi tae o f t h e A r a bs t o whi c h h e a ttribut e s ,

wond e r ful p owe rs o f e xtr ac tin g t h e a c tiv e princ i pl e s o f drugs

a n d o f r e storing yo u t h to t h e a g e d m a tt e rs whi c h a ttr ac t e d
,

Bac on s s p e c i a l a tt e ntion Ye t o f t h e two B ac on s e e ms t o

’

.
, ,

h a v e g re at e r fai t h in d r ugs as distinguish e d fro m t h e di e t e tics

and hygi e n e o f t h e old Sa le m i t a ns At p r e s e nt h e s a ys th e re
.
, ,

are me n a n d n a tions wi t h fe w or no d r ugs or do c tors who ,

are strong e r h o l d e r mor e b e a uti ful a n d long e r liv e d th a n

, , ,

thos e who h a v e th e m wh e n how e v e r m e di c in e s dis c ove r e d

, ,

or im prove d by al c h e my h a v e b e e n c ombin e d by aid o f th at

s c i e n c e and m ath e m ati c s into pr o pe r c o m pounds a nd a re ,

a dminist e r e d by
p hysi c i a ns who b e ing pe rf e c t astronom e rs
, ,

know t h e right tim e s a n d i nflue nc e s this st a t e o f thi ngs wi ll ,

n atur a lly and n e c e ss a rily b e r e v e rs e d (D e error i bns ) .

BA CO N ME D I CAL TRE ATISE S

’
S

Two p romin e nt p e c ul i a riti e s m ay b e noti c e d in Rog e r

Bac on s m e di c a l tr e a tis e s : first th e y are t h e p rodu c tion o f
’

a m an o f sin ul a rly
g p r ac ti c al mind who was not in pr ac ti c e ,

and h ad as h e c om l a ins fe w o pp ortuniti e s o f g e tting

,
p ,

c e r titud e by e x e ri e n c e as to t h e m a tt e rs o f whi c h h e
p
An d r e a s i n D ur a n d us S p e c ul u m ] D e Cr i mi ne
’
, ur is , ca p .
348 R OG E R BA CON

an Exßos i ti o A pho risms But B ac on is an Ar a b ist

of t he .

on prin c i pl e t h e p rinc i pl e b e i ng th a t c a pabl e m e n who

,

f ollow t h e p a th a bov e m e ntion e d a re bo u n d to m ak e p rogr e ss .

E v e n in t h e c a s e o f Ari s totl e g re a t e st o f t h e Gr e e ks it was , ,

only in his old age wh e n h e b e g a n to p a y s e rio us a tt e n t ion

,

to a strology a nd a l c h e m y th a t h e c oul d pr od uc e t h e S ecr eturn ,

S ecretorum t h e mos t v a l ua bl e o f his works i n B a c on s o p inion

’
.
,

Th e Ar a bs h a d m a d e fur t h e r p rog re ss in t h e s a m e
di re c tion Rh a z e s a s Bac on prob a bly kn e w was c all ed
.
, ,

t h e E x p e r i m e nt a tor Avi c e nn a as h e p oints out h ad , , ,

through t h e e x pe ri e n c e o f al c h e my c orr e c t e d G al e n s ,
’ ’

e rron e o u s o pinions c on c e rning t h e hu m o urs and o t h e r

m att e rs whil e H aly o f t h e S up e r Te gn i h a d b e e n a gr e at e r
,

a strolog e r th a n e ith e r G a l e n or Hi p p o c r a t e s a n d e v e n e a rn e d ,

his living by t h e a r t good e vid e n c e o f its p r ac ti c a l v alu e , .

Bac on s f a m ili a rity with t h e Gr e e k m e di c a l a uthors

’

a p p e a rs slight H e knows t h e A p ho r is m s o f Hi p p o c r a t e s
.
,

but p ays l e ss a tt e ntion t o t h e m th a n to thos e o f Da m a

s ce n us a n d his a c qu a i nt a n c e with t h e bulk o f t h e Cor u s
,
p
H i ppoem ti en m s e e ms indir e c t Thus its most fa mous .
,

s a ying ( n e xt to Li fe is sho r t but t h e Ar t long Do good

‘

or a t l e a st do no h a rm is quot e d te sta n te H al y s uj> er Tegni

a n d h e f ollows Avi ce nn a i n a ttributing to Hi pp o c r at e s
a r e m a r k on t h e e vils o f p urg a tion W hi c h o c c urs in G al e n s ’

c o m me nt a r y Th e r e fe r e n c e s to G al e n a r e s c a nty a n d
I
.

o ft e n indir e ct testa nte I s aa c tes ta nte A vi ce n n a whil e som e ’

,
’
,

o f thos e h e a pp e ar s to quot e a t first h a nd ar e f rom s p urious

m e di ae va l tr e atis e s t h e dyna mi di ae an d s e cr eta ,

For .

e x am pl e G al e n t e lls four int e r e sting stori e s o f t h e c ur e o f

,

l e prosy whi c h w e r e c ond e ns e d into o ne by Ar a bi c and

m e di ae val writ e rs Rog e r might h a v e r e a d this v e rsion in
.
2

H e al so q uo t e s i t i n a n in c o e c t fo rm d e ri v e d f o m t h e Ara bi c rr r

o r o l d La t i n v si o n T hi s i s gi v e n i n B ur t o n s A n tomy f M e la n
’
er . a o

okoly , ii 4. . I . A r e fe r e n c e t o th e I n H ipp Vi c t A ou t ii
o r i gi n a l , . . . 12

( Kühn G a le n will w t
h o w t h e mi s r a n sla i o n ar os e t
’
s ,
xv . sho .

2
D e S i mp M e d . xi . I .
 MEDICINE 349

his yo ut h in Willi a m o f Ca nt e rbury s a c c ount o f t he mir ac l es

'
’

o f St Thom a s but h e give s it tes ta nte I saac Simil arly

‘ ’
. .
,

—
two thi rds r e fe r e n c e s to Aristotl e are to t h e S ecretum
of t he ,

whil e Dios c orid e s is quot e d twic e testa nte Haly sn ;t> er Tegni ‘ ’
.

A striking inst an c e o f this ignoring or ignor a n c e o f the

cl assi c al writ e rs as c om p ar e d with t h e Ar abs is s e e n in the
, ,

story o f t h e poisonous P e rsi a n tr e e whi c h though told by ,

Dios c o r id e s Pliny ( who d e c l a r e s it fals e ) G al e n ( thr e e

, ,

time s ) Plut a rc h Colum e ll a and t h e ps e udo Aristotl e (D e

, , ,
-

P l a nti s ) is quot e d by Bac on testa n te A vi cenn a

P assing t o Ar a bi c writ e r s we find a gr e a t c ontr ast He .

knows the m we ll a nd quot e s t h e m ( as a r u l e ) hon e stly and

a c c ur a t e ly mor e so t h a n did m a ny c ont e m or a ry physi c i a ns
, p
a nd surg e ons who us e A vi ce nna a nd A l bu ca s i s m u c h mor e

fr e qu e ntly th a n th e y n a m e th e m .

First in wh a t m a y b e c all e d d e nsity o f quot ation c om e

, ,

two o f t h e gr e a t littl e books o f m e di a e va l m e di c in e t he ,

A phor i s ms o f D a m a sc e nus a nd t he C omme n ta ry o f H a ly

b e n Ro d wän John o f Dam as c us is doubt fully i d e nt ifie d
.
“

with t he e ld e r S e r a pion a nd c e rt a inly b e long e d to o ne o f ,

thos e ni n th c e ntury Syri an m e di c al fa m ili e s who tr a nsl at e d

-

Gr e e k wo r ks into Syri a c or Ar abi c The 1 6 0 short a phorisms .

,

a ft e rw a rds p r int e d as a p r e fac e to Se ra p i o n s P ra cti ca w e r e

’

pr ob a bly l e a rnt by h e a rt by most m e di a e v a l m e di c a l

stud e nts a n d are l arg e ly quot e d by a ll pro fe ssion al writ e rs
,

o f t he age Th e y a re d e di c a t e d to t h e wr it e r s son who ’

.

is tr a nsl ating G al e n s M egategn i (t he D e M ethodo medendi ) ’

I r e turn th a nks to God th a t I h a v e found th e e su c h

a tr a nsl a tor
’
.

N u n q ua m i n q ui t G al e n us v i d i i n v i t a m e a h o m i n e m a l e p ra
, ,

l e n a r i e s a n a t u m mi s i u i v i n u m b i b i t u b i t r i a i n c id e r i t e t i b i d e m
p q e r y ,

c o m p ut ru e r i t H u n e e n i m vi d i e x c o rt i c a r i e t c ut e e x p oli a r i c um
.

vi n um i ll u m b i b e ri t Thi s i s c l e a r e r b ut n o t mo r e c o rr e c t t h a n
’
.
,

Ba c o n
’
s v e rs i o n .

Th e o the r t wo we r e t h e I s ag oge of ] 0 annit i us ,

a nd t h e N onus
A lmansori s of Rh a ze s .
35 0 R OG E R BA CON

We know mor e a bout the c omm e n t a t o r on t he M i c rote gni .

H aly b e n Ro d wän ( a bo ut 98 0 — 1 0 60 ) t he son o f a p oor

Egy p ti a n b a k e r e a r n e d a living a t fi rSi by as t rology w hi c h
, ,

indi c a t e d c or r e c tly th a t h e would b e c om e a fa mo us physic ian ,

b ut f a il e d to w a rn him o f t h e im prud e n c e o f a do p t ing a young

girl l e ft o r ph an by a pl ag ue who on r e ac hing y e a rs o f , ,

dis c r e tion c oll e c t e d a ll his port a bl e pro pe rt y a moun t ing

, ,

to din ars o r du c ats a nd di s a ppe a r e d doub t l e ss with

, ,

som e lo c a l Lor e nzo t h us r e d uc ing t he ag e d p hysi c ia n to

,

his pri m itiv e pov e rty B ut h e was a n i ras c ibl e m an t roubl ed

.
‘
,

by a n e x c e ss o f t h a t chole ra o f which h e s pe aks so much ,

a nd whi c h i f a r e fe r e n c e in t h e S u pe r Tegn i a ppli e s

,
as is ,

p rob a bl e to hi,
m s e l f wa s shown by a l
,
u p i nos i t y o f t e m pe r
whi c h h e m a y not h a v e c ontroll e d so w e ll as h e s a ys he did .

His b e st known works are a n a strologi c al c omm e nt a ry on

Ptol e my s Tetr a bi bl os et Centi logi u m quot e d e ls e wh e r e by
’

Ba c o n a nd t h e fa mous Expos i ti on o f G a l e n s A rs medi c a

’

, ,

whi c h g av e him almost a t i t l e H al y su pe r Te gui ,

.

A c c oun t s o f t h e th re e gr e a t e r Mosl e m p hysi c i a ns Rh a ze s , ,

H aly Abb a s ( R e g alis o f t h e Roy al B ook ) a nd Avic e nna

, , ,

m a y b e r e a dily fo u nd e ls e wh e r e w hil e o f Is aac b e n Solomon ,

it n e e d only b e s a id t h a t h e live d a c e ntury ( about 8 5 0

was o f Solomoni c t e m p e ra m e nt ( e x c e p t t h a t h e r e m a in e d
unm arri e d ) a nd th at his two gr e at works on di e t and fe v e rs
,

r e s pe c tive ly a re c onsid e r e d t h e b e st Ar abi c pr odu c tions on

thos e subj e c ts But h al f o f t h e r e fe r e nc e s to I s aac a re from
.

t h e works o f hi s p u p il Ahm e d b e n al Ge zzar a hi ghl y , ,

p r ac ti c al m an a n d physi c i an to S a r ac e n Cors ai rs who wrot e ,

t h e Vi a ti cu m a n d t h e D e Gra di bus books whi c h Const ant i n e

tr a nsl at e d an d a ttribut e d to hims e l f .

‘

Bacon s m e di c al wr itings ar e b as e d u p on th e s e authoriti es

’

Le c l e rc H i s to i re de l a mé de c i n e
, a r a be , i
52 3. S e e al s o B roc k e l
.

m a n n G e s c hi chte der
, a r abi s c he n Li te r a tur , a n d S upe r Teg n i ii 2 13 , . . .

S t e i ns c h n e i d e r ,
C on s ta n ti n us Af ri c a nus u nd se i ne arabi s che n

Qu elle n i n Vi rc how s A rc hi v, 37
’

, .
 35 2 R OG ER BA CON

origin ality bringing in Solomon ( a ppare ntly Ec c l es iv I I )

, . .
,

as w e ll a s Da m as c e n us a nd G al e n to h is su p p ort But as , .
,

h e a dmits th e y m e ntion t h e subj e c t obs c u re ly and t he

, ,

n e xt pl ai n a nd e m ph ati c r e fe re n c e to th e r e stor ative valu e

o f b als a m i c e xh al a tio n s a s a n o et a thl eti co c orpor e s e e ms to

b e th a t by our English Hi p p o c r a t e s Syd e nh am whos e , ,

l angu ag e c los e ly r e s e mbl e s Bac on s e xc e p t th at he fe ars ’

ridi c ul e r a th e r th a n s c and a l ( Obs M ed i 4 . .

,
. .

We m a y b ri e fly noti c e t h e r e l ation o f t h e Epi stola and its

com panion tr e atis e s to t h e c urr e nt the o r y o f old age and ,

to two l at e r works on t h e s am e subj e c t t he a uthors o f whi c h ,

p rob a bly kn e w som e o f th em a nd h e ld o pp osit e o p inions ,

as to th e ir v alu e .

A c c ording to t he hum or al physiology t h e fi e ry a nd w at e ry ,

e l e m e nts o f t h e body inn a t e h e a t a nd r a dic a l moistur e ar e

, ,

r e l ative ly gr e at e st at birth a nd aft e r f ull growt h b egi n to ,

diminish whil e t h e c old a nd dry e a rthy c onstitu e nt in c r e as es

, .
‘

This is t h e n a tur a l c a us e o f old a ge a nd d e ath B ut t h e .

Gr e e ks from H e r ac litus an d Hi p p o c r a t e s downwar ds l aid

, ,

str e ss on h e at as t h e princ i pl e o f li fe A c c ording to Hi ppo .

cra t e s (s ays his e ditor Littré) t h e hum an body is pe rva d e d

, ,

by a h e at whi c h h e c alls i nn at e It s a mount is at

t h e m a ximu m in in fa n c y a n d c ontinu a lly e xh a usts its e l f
,

by t he p roc e ss e s o f li fe till it arriv e s at a minimum i n old age .

This ch a ng e c orr e s p onding t o t h e y e a rly v a ri ation o f t he

,

sun s h e at g ave ris e to an an alogy o f a g e s a nd di s e as e s with

’

t he s e asons G al e n with unusu al br e vity d e fin es d e ath as

’
.
, ,

t h e e xtin c tion a n d old a g e as t h e w asting

o f t h e inn a t e h e at (D e Tem;o ii Th e G al e ni c or p s e udo .

,

G al e nic Hi story of P hi losophy c on c lud e s wi th t h e st at e m e nts

th at t h e St oi c s and all physi c i a ns d e cl ar e with o ne voic e
that old age is due to a d e cr e as e o f t h e innat e h e at and
Se e e sp e c iall y G al e n ’
s co mme nt ary on the 1 4t h Ap h ori sm, q uot e d
b y Ro ge r ( Küh n 1 7 b , ,

05 uvres d H ippocra te , i 44 3.
’
.
 MED ICINE 35 3

As c l e p i a d e s p oint e d out th at t h e n ative s o f Brit ain whos e

bodi e s a r e m ad e d e ns e by th e ir c lim a t e r e t a in th e ir inn a t e ,

h e at fo r an imm e ns e p e riod a nd only grow old at 1 2 0 ye ar s ,

Fin ally th e p s e udo Aristotl e as B ac on p oints out urg e s

,
-
, ,

Al e x a nde r by all m e a ns to k e e p u p his c alori c .

A r a bi c writ e r s i nflue nc e d pe rh aps by th e ir c lim at e and

, , ,

n e ighbouring d e s e r ts acc e ntu a t e t h e oth e r fac tor moistu r e

, ,
.

Rh a z e s p uts it c l e a rly a n d su c c i nc tly H omo a n ati vi ta te ,

us qu e a d s en i u rn d es i cca r i n on ces s a t, don ec n i hi l fl at . S e n i um

n a man e est a l i ud n i si ma gnu m i n s i cci ta ti s
n on cor > or e
j
d omi n i um This
x agg e r a t e s G a l e n s st at e m e nt whil e ’
. e ,

t h e h e a t e l e m e n t is c om p a r a tiv e ly ignor e d B oth fac to r s .

,

a n d th e ir c ombin a tion in t h e b u rning l a m p m e t a p hor w e r e , ,

o f c ou r s e g e n e r ally r e c ogniz e d b ut t h e r e ad e r m ay noti c e

, ,

t h e domin a n c e o f o n e or t h e oth e r acc o r di n g a s B ac on is

quoting from Gre e k or Ar abi c sour c e s .

Within tw e nty y e a rs o f Rog e r s d e a th Ar n ald o f V ill anov a ’

d e di c a t e d to Rob e r t t h e Wis e o f Nap l e s a n d J e r us al e m his

D e Con ser va ti on e j u ve n tu ti s et Re ta rd a ti on e s e n e c tu ti s , th e
b e st known m e di ae v a l tr e atis e o n t h e subj e c t Any o n e who .

r e ads this a ft e r t h e B ac oni a n t r e a tis e s will b e stru c k by its

c los e r e s e mbl a n c e in m a tt e r a n d styl e to t h e o n e e ntitl e d

D e juven e a s e n e ctute ta rd a n do ,
e t s en e a d
j u ve ntute m r e du cendo

L i ber . Whol e p ass ag e s are v e rb ally alik e Som e o f th e s e .

a r e quot a tions f rom t h e L atin v e r sions o f A r a bi c wr it e rs ,

but t h e simil arity in tr ansitions and t h e introd u c tion o f ,

e xtr a n e ous subj e c ts su c h as t h e u se o f whit e h e ll e bor e fo r

wounds ( Rog e r s a ys it is his o wn e x p e ri e n c e Arn ald h as Est ,

‘

hama qu i vi di t s e e m to pr ove th a t A r n a ld s aw a n d us e d
his pr e d e c e ssor s work ’
.

Th e p e c uli a r iti e s o f t h e l a t e r t r e a t i s e a r e t h e hints or

ti ps c h ar ac t e ris ti c o f t h e m an in pr a c ti c e a nd t h e fi r st
c l e a r a nd e m p h a ti c n oti c e o f distill e d s p irits o f win e Thus .
,

Arn ald s a ys th a t t h e Ros e m a r y e li x i r highly p r a is e d by ,

Ku h n
’
s G a le n , 19 .
34 4 . Al m a n s o r i s ,
2 . 15 .
35 4 R OG E R BA CO N

Rog e r is gr e a t ly i m pr ov e d
,
t a k e n i n a qua a i n i cum if
s c i e n ti a e t sa i e nti a f a cta
p whi c h h e a ft e r w a r ds e x l a i ns
’
, p
is aqua vi n i d i s ti lla ta whil e t h e c lyst e r d e s ucca f oli aru rn
,

(p r a is e d by B ac o n ) is m o r e e ffe c tiv e with t h e a ddition

of h al f a n o un c e o f hi e r a p i c r a qu od es t s e cr etu m -

ma gn u m Bl ac k h e ll e bor e do u btl e ss c h a ng e s
’
. a b ad
, ,

c om p l e xion into a good o ne as Avi c e nn a ( an d Bac on) ’

s a ys but is too viol e nt a dr ug fo r corpor i bus d el i ca ti s et

,

n obi l i s compl exi on i s a n d t h e a dv a nt a g e s o f p ot a bl e gold

’
,

m a y c h e a ply a nd c onv e ni e ntly b e got by e xtinguis h ing

‘

hot gold c oins in yo u r win e B ut Arn ald s pot a bl e gold was .

’

br an dy Ex vi n o fi t a qu a vi ta e mul tu m di ve rs a a vi n o i n
.
,

cal or e s u bs ta n ti a et o e r a ti on e T his is a r es ma gn a f ac i en s
’

, p .
,

ope ra ti on e s s uper amu e m e s ti ma ti on e m I t is p a rti c ul a rly

’
.

good fo r t h e old sin c e it o p pos e s p u tr e fac t ion pr opter eju s

,

s i n ce r i ta te m et pu r i ta te m O n ac c ou n t o f its s i1n pli c i t y it

r e a dil y e xtr ac ts t h e flav o u rs a nd virtu e s o f oth e r d rugs ,

f a ci ens e i s a cqu i r er e in eor u m o p e r a ti on i bu s a dd i ta me n tum .

’

It s onl y d e fe c t is th at it is a li t t l e ov e r t e m pe r as r e g ards
h e at a nd it sho ul d th e r e for e b e t a k e n in sm all dos e s a nd
,

with oth e r things .

‘

I f t h e Epi s tol a d e s a n gu i n e huma n a b e g e n u in e A rn al d ,

h ad e qu al fa ith in B ac on s l a pi s n obi l i s a n i ma l i s t h e l a pi s
’ ‘ ’ ‘

qu i n on es t l a pi s ,
e t es t i n qu ol i bet ho mi ne et i n qu oli bet l oco
homi n i s His e lixirs o f li fe in short w e r e blood a nd br a ndy
, ,
.

Fr a n c is B ac on d e c l a r e d th a t p art o f m e di c in e wh i c h r e l at e s
t o t h e p rolong ation o f lif e to b e t h e mos t nobl e o f all a nd ,
2

wrot e a s p e c i al tr e atis e on t h e subj e c t Hi s tory N a tura l a nd ,

E xperi men ta l f Lif e a nd D ea th or of the P r ol onga ti on of Lif e

o ,
.

Th a t h e h ad s e e n Rog e r s Epi s tol a ( pri nt e d at Ox ford 1 5 90 )

’

He s ays t e p re d e c e sso rs k n e w mo re a bo u t t h e a qua

hi s i mm e d i a
min i t h a n t h e y c h o s e t o t e ll c o nc e ali n g i t u n d e r t h e n a m e a uru m
,
.

A s h e q u o t e s R o g e r s w h o l e a c c o u n t o f p o t a b l e g o l d ( e x c e p t th e
’

di r e c ti o n s) a n d a p p l i e s i t t o h i s o wn s p i c e d b ra n d y h e p e rha p s h a d
, ,

B acon y i n m i nd
s p e c i all .

De A ug me nti s s c i en ti aru m, i v . 2 .
 35 6 R OG E R BA CO N

d rug by pot abl e gold o r e ss e n c e o f pe a rls or su c h like

, , ,

toys t h e c h an c e llo r h as a l m ost as g r e a t faith as t h e fri a r

in c e rt a in s ubst a n c e s His fa vo uri t e was ni t re whi c h c oo ls
"
.
,

a n d c ond e ns e s t h e s p iri t s m aki n g th e m l e s s e ag e r Th e r e .

fo r e as strong win e s a n d s p i c e s do bur n t h e s p i r its a n d

,

sho r t e n li fe nitr e doth c om p os e a nd r e fre sh t he m a nd is o f

,

"
p r im e fo rc e to lo n g li fe He t ook a mo rning dr a ught .

c ont a ining th r e e gr a ins o f it e v e ry d a y fo r thirty y e a rs He 3

.

va l ue s s affron e v e n mo re highly t h a n do e s Rog e r : Our

a n c e stors who w e r e lo ng e r live d tha n we did us e s afl ro n
, ,

m uc h in th e ir c ak e s b r oths a nd t h e like ,
T h e I r ish .
,

e s p e c i a lly t h e wil d Ir ish e v e n a t this d a y liv e v e ry long ,

a n d u s e to w e a r s affr o n e d lin e n a n d shi r ts whic h though , ,

it w e re a t first d e vi s e d t o pr e ve n t ve r min ye t howso e ve r ,

I t a k e to b e v e ry us e ful fo r t h e l e ngth e ning o f li fe

’
.

I t is str a ng e th a t no n e o f th e s e w rit e rs m e n t ions wh a t

s e e ms to us t h e most i m po rt ant p r e m a t ur e ac c id e nt o f ag e ,

a n d o ne whi c h t h e p r ogr e ss o f s c i e n c e h as don e m os t t o

r e m e dy r t ly by i d f gold — d e nt a l d e fi c i e n c
p a, a o y .

Rog e r s s c i e ntifi c g e n ius is l e s s pro m i n e nt in t he tr e at is e s

’

on old a ge th a n in t h e fr agm e nt D e Graduaci on e med i ci n a rum .

A c c ording to Go m pe rz we a re first c on fr ont e d by t h e ,

S

c on c e p tion o f a n e x ac t s c i e n c e in t h e Hi ppo c r a ti c wri t in gs ,

wh e r e t h e a uthor o f th e De P ri sca medi ci n a s a ys On e ,

must a i m at a st and ard but a st and ar d we ight or numbe r , , ,

whi c h sh all s e rve th e e as a su r e guid e thou sh alt not find ,

s e e ing th e r e is no oth e r th a n t h e s e nsibility o f t h e body 6

.
’

Lat e r writ e rs e g Pl ato in t h e P hi l e bu s a c ce ntu a t e t h e s a m e

,
. .
,
7

p oint . G al e n m a k e s an a tt e m p t to ge t a fix e d st a rt ing
p oint f o r m e a suring t h e hot cold moist dry M i x h e s a ys -
,
-
.
, ,

e qu a l volum e s o f boili ng w a t e r a n d i c e a lso e qu a l volum e s ,

D e A ug rne n ti s i v 2 , . . H i s to ry i i , . I .

3
R a w l e y s L if e e n d H i s tory ii
’

, .
, . 2 .

5
Gr ee k T hi n kers i , . 2 99 .
6
t
L i t ré i , .
588 .

7
t
Ari h m e i c t m e n s u ra t i o n a n d w e i ghi n g b e i ng ta k e n
, ,
fr o m a ny

a rt th e r es t wi ll b e o n l c o nj e c t u r e p 5 5 E
y . .
 MEDICINE 35 7

of dry e arth a nd w at e r a nd you ge t t h e e x ac t m e ans ,

b e tw e e n th e s e r e s pe c tive qu a liti e s Fix th e m in your .

‘

m e mory by fe e ling th e m (h e thinks th e y r e pr e s e nt t h e e x ac t

norm al t e m pe r atur e and c onsist e n c y o f t h e p al m o f t he
h um a n h a nd ) and it will not b e d iffic ul t to use th e m as
,

c a nons a nd c rit e ria f o r t h e d e gr e e s o f d e vi a tion This is .

a v e ry im e r fe c t e s c a e from c onj e c tur e a n d bodily s e ns a tion

p p ,

a n d B a c on r e turning to t h e Hi ppo c r a ti c id e al
, p oints out ,

t h e n e c e ssity both fo r a c ertus te r mi n us a n d a n e x ac t uni form

s c al e With b e tt e r o p portunity a nd m at e ri al h e might h ave
.

gon e furth e r but t h e world h ad to w a it thr e e c e nturi e s fo r

,

G alil e o s th e rmom e t e r
’
.

P e rh aps t h e most int e r e sting origin al a nd ty pi c ally , ,

Ba c oni a n o f t h e tr e a t is e s is t he D e E r rar i bus Th e r e is o f .

‘
,

c our s e nothing origin al in fi n d m f a u l t w ith p hysi c i a ns but

, g ,

Rog e r a s we h a ve s e e n do e s i t in a n unus u ally mod e r a t e

, ,

fa shion a nd a dds mu c h v a lu a bl e a dvi c e c ulmin a ting in his

,

most c h a r a c t e risti c a pho r ism t h at o f t he thr e e w a ys in ,

whi c h m e n t hi nk t h e y ac quir e a knowl e dg e o f things ,

a u thori t y r e a soning a n d e x e ri e n c e only t h e l a st is e ffe c tiv e

, p , ,

a nd a bl e to bring fin a l e t o t h e int e ll e c t ; a st a rtling

p a c e

utt e r a n ce fo r th at age a nd w e ll c a l c ul a t e d to disturb t h e ,

minds o f his bre thr e n It is e x pre ss e d mor e b ri e fly in a .

p h r a s e o f Hobb e s whi c h a c c ording to

, a mod e rn w r it e
,
r ,
3

ough t to b e ins c rib e d in gold e n l e tt e rs ove r t he h e a d o f

e v e ry t a lking hiloso h — N o d i sc ou r se wha ts oe ver ca n e n d
p p e r

D e T e mp i 9 .
, . .

De E rr or i bu s M e d i coru m . ts
H e b e g i n s t o d e sc ri b e 36 d e te c
e g a r d s d ru g s b u t a f t e r t h e s e v e n t h
as r , p a ss e s t o e xt e rn a l d e f e c t s
l a c k o f p ro p e r b oo k s— t ra n sl a t i o n s o f A r i s totle c ri t i c i ze d — wa s t e o f
t i m e i n v e rb a l d i sp u t e s t o t h e n e g l e c t o f a s t ro lo gy a lc h e my a n d , ,

ag r i c u ltu r a p hi l os oph i c a M u c h o f t h i s i s re p e a t e d u n d e r t h e h e a d i n g
.

Ca u s e s o f t h e i r d e te c t s T h e t re a t i s e c o n c l u d e s wi t h a n e m p h a s i s
of e x p e ri e n c e a n d h a s a n a p p e n d i x o f n o t e s o n d ru g s p r e sc ri p t i o ns ,

f o r c o r d ia ls a nd m e t h o d s o f e xt a c t i n g t h e v i rt u e
‘
, o f r h ub a rb
r ,

a n d t h e i r e ss e n t i a l o i l s f r o m h e rb s .

3
S a n t a y a n a The L if e of Reas on i ii 1 9 8
, , . .
 R OG E R B A CO N

in a bsol ute kn owl edge Abs ol ut e k n owl e dg e o f fa c t is

f f a ct
o .

imm e di at e ; it is e x pe ri e n t i a l So und e rstood i t s e e ms

.
’

a v a lu a bl e ti m e s a ving t ru t h i n no wa y o p pos e d t o r e ligious

,
-
,

f a ith ; b ut if B a c on w e nt a bo u t t ryi n g t o fix t his nov e l

h a lo ove r t he h e a ds o f t h e t a lki n g t h e ologi a ns o f h is t im e ,

a s j ud g ing fr o m his c omb a t iv e t e m pe r a nd lov e o f r e pe t i t ion

, ,

h e p rob a bly did we c a n und e rs t a nd a n d pe rh a ps e v e n

, ,

sym p at hiz e wi t h som e o f t h e m o t ive s fo r h is t e m por a ry

,

s e c l usio n .

Th e fra gm e n t o f a n A n ti d ota r i u s c o m pa re s fa vour a bly in

c l e a rn e ss a nd di r e c t n e ss o f l a ng ua g e wi t h t h e c orr e s ondi n g
p
work o f A r abic a nd o t h e r m e di a e va l writ e rs a nd it is , ,

p e rh a p s ,
i n t h e s e di sj ecta me mbr a r a t h e r t h a n i n t h e Epi s tl e

th a t we find s uffic ie nt e vid e nc e o f gr e atn e ss t o j us t i fy t he

con c lusion gi ga nti s .
 R OG E R B A CO N

b e e n a s c rib e d to o t h e r p e rso n s o f in t e ll e c t ual e m in e n c e .

Th us a mong t h e l e g e nds a sso c i a t e d wi t h t he n a m e o f

V irgil m e n t ion is m a d e o f a mir r o r in whi c h o ne c o uld
,

s e e e v e r ythi n g t h a t h a ppe n e d a t a d is t a nc e a n d in

t h e I ma ge d u M o n d e t h e p o e t is s a id t o h a v e c ons t ru c t e d
a t a lking h e a d whi c h h e from t i me t o t i m e c ons ult e d , ,

a s t o f ut u r e e v e n t s Th e s a m e s t ory is t old o f Ge rbe rt o f ‘

.

A urill ac who in 999 was ra is e d t o t h e pa pac y as Sil

, , ,

ve st e r II whil e in t he thir t e e n t h c e ntury Al be rt us Ma gn us

,

is s aid to h a ve m a d e a t a lking h e a d whi c h was d e stroye d

by his distinguish e d p upil Thom a s Aq uin as Rog e r Ba c on s
3
,
.
’

e m in e nt fri e nd Rob e rt Gross e t e st e bisho p o f Lin c oln is

, , ,

d e s c rib e d by Gow e r in t h e Conf es s i o A ma nti s ( 1 393) a s

h a ving c ons t r uc t e d a b ra z e n h e a d t h a t c ould s pe a k
For o f t he g re t e Cl e r c Gro ss t e s t e
I r e d e how b e sy t h a t h e wa s
U p on c l e rgi e a H e d o f b ras
T o f org e a n d m a k e i t f o r t o t e ll e ,

O f s u c h e t h i ng e s a s b e fe lle .
‘

Simil a r inve ntions w e re a s c rib e d t o Rog e r Bac on in The ‘

f a mous histori e o f Frye r B a c on c on t a i n i n g t h e wond e r ful ,

things th at h e did in his li fe a lso t h e m a nn e r o f h is d e a th , ,

with t h e live s a n d d e a ths o f t he two c onj ur e r s Bu mgy e an d ,

V a nd e r m a s t On e o f t h e e a rli e st o f t h e m a ny e di t ions w as
th a t p rint e d a t London fo r Fr a n c is Grove by E th at .

is Eliz a b e th Ald e l at e in t h e six t e e n t h c e n t ury or mor e , ,

5

p rob a bly e a rly in t h e s e v e nt e e nth I t w as a lso p r i nt e d in .

1 6 2 7 ( fo r Fr a n c is G r ov e ) a n d in 1 6 30 .

Co mp a r e tt i
me di a e va ii 7 4 e d 1 8 7 2 ( p 30 3
,
Vi rg i li o nel , .
, . .
,

L I mag e d u Al on de de M a i tr e Gos s ou i n
’
Ibi d 8 0 ( p 30 7 E T )
.
,
.
, . .

p 1 8 5 e d 0 H P r i o r La u sa nn e 1 9 1 3
.
, . . .
, , .

3
Ib id .
, p 80 n 4
.
, . .

L ib e r i v 2 34 f e d G C Ma ca u l a y 1 9 0 0
, . , . . .
, .

5
W . Th o m s E a r ly E ng li s h P r ose Roma n ce s
, , ed . 1858, i . 17 9

2 50 . An e di tio n of Gre e ne ’
s p la y 0 11F ri a r B a c o n w a s p r in e d f o r t
E li zab e h Al d e i n t 1 6 30 , wi t h t h e B ra z e n H ea d f o rmi n g p ar o f t
a s c e n e r e p re se n e d o n t t h e t i tle p age -
.
 ENG LI SH LITE RA TUR E 36 1

It is h e r e st at e d th at Rog e r was born e in t he w e st part

o f Engl a nd an d wa s sonn e to a w e a lthy f a rm e r
,
who pu t ,

hi m to s c hool e to t h e p a rson o f t h e town wh e r e b e e w as

born e . Young Bac on took e hi s l e a rning so fast th at t h e ,

p ri e st c ould not t e ac h him an y mor e whi c h m a d e him d es ir e ,

h is m a st e r th a t h e woul d s pe a k e to his fath e r to p u t him

t o O xf ord ’
Th e fa t h e r r e fus e d wh e r e u p on young B ac on
.
,
‘

g a ve his fa th e r t h e sli p a nd we nt t o a c lo ys t e r som e

,

tw e nty mil e s o ff wh e r e h e was e nt e rt a in e d a nd so co n

, ,

t i n ue d hi s l ea rnin g a n d in sm a ll t im e c am e to b e so fa mous
, ,

th at h e was s e nt fo r to t h e Unive rsi t y o f O x fo rd wh e r e h e ,

long t im e studi ed a nd gr e w so e xc e ll e nt in t h e s e c r e ts o f
,

a rt a n d n a t u r e t h a t not Engl a nd on e ly b u t a ll Ch r ist e n

, ,

dom e a dmir e d him

Th e king b e ing a t a nobl e m a n s hous e in O x fordshir e
’

, ,

on b ea ri ng o f F ri a r Bac on s fam e s e n t fo r h im B ac on
’

,
.

m od e stly s a id t o t h e ki n g t h a t fa m e h a d b e lid e him

‘

, ,

a nd giv e n h i m t h a t r e p o r t t h a t his p oor st u di e s h a d n e v e r

d e s e r ve d Ask e d t o show t he king a nd q ue e n som e o f

his S kil l
h e w a v e d his w a nd a n d p re s e n t ly w as h e a r d su c h e x c e ll e nt
,

m us i c k e t h a t t h e y w e re a ll a m a z e d W a ving his w a nd
a g a in e , th e r e was lowd e r m us ic k e h e a rd and pr e s e n t ly fi v e ,

d a nc e rs e n t e r e d Th e s e did div e rs e xc e ll e n t c h a ng e s
.

a n d h a ving don e t h e i r d a n c e s t h e y all v a n ish e d a w a y

,
.

T h e n w a v e d h e his w a n d a g a i ne a n d th e re wa s a noth e r ,

kind o f m us ic ke h e a rd a nd whil s t i t was pl a ying t h e r e

, ,

w a s s o d a i nly b e for e t h e m a t a bl e r i c hly c ov e r e d wi t h a ll

so r ts o f d e li c a t e s Th e n w a v e d h e his w a nd a g a i ne
.
,

a n d s o d a i nl y t h e r e w a s s u c h a sm e ll a s i f a ll t h e ri c h p e r ,

fu m e s o f t h e whol e world h a d bin t h e r e pr e p a r e d in t h e

b e s t m a nn e r t h a t a rt c ould s e t th e m o ut H e wa ve d .

h i s w a nd a g a i ne a n d th e r e c a m e dive r s n a tions in sundry

,

h a bits a ll bringing s u ndry kinds o f furre s .

’

Fry e r Bac on r e a ding o ne d a y o f t h e m a ny c onqu e sts o f

E ngl a nd b e thought h i m se lfe how h e might k e e p e it h e r e
,

a ft e r fr om t h e lik e c onqu e sts a n d so m a k e h i mse l fe fa mous

,

h e re aft e r to all p ost e ri t i e s This ( a ft e r gr e a t study) h e c

.

f ound c ould b e no wa y so w e ll don e as o ne ; whi c h was

 R OG E R BA CO N

to m ak e a h e a d o f b ra ss e a n d i f h e c o uld m ak e t his h e ad
,

to s pe a k e ( a nd h e a re i t w he n i t s pe a ke s ) t h e n migh t h ec
b e a bl e t o w a ll a ll E n gl a nd a b o ut w i t h b ra ss e To t his .

ur
p p os e h e e g o t o n e F r y e r B ung e y t o a ss is t hi m who w as ,

a g r e a t s c holl e r a n d a m a gi c i a n ( b u t n o t t o b e e c o m pa r e d
t o Fr ye r B a c o n ) t h e s e t wo wi t h g re a t s t udy a nd p a in e s
so fra m e d a h e a d o f b ra s s e t h a t i n t he in wa rd p a rt s t h e r e o f
,

t he re wa s a ll t hi ng s lik e a s i n a na t ura ll m a ns h e a d .
’

Th e y w e n t o ne e v e nin g t o a wood t h e re by wh e r e in
‘

a nsw e r to t h e i r wo rds o f c onj ura tion t he d e vi l a p pe a re d

a nd told t h e m t h a t wi t h t he c o n t in ual fla m e o f t he s ix
h o t e s t sim pl e s it wo uld h a v e m otion a n d in o n e month ,

s pac e s pe a k A ft e r w a t c h ing fo r t h re e w e e ks hims e l f

.
’

with Frye r Bung e y he se t b is m a n Mil e s t o w a t c h t he h ea d

, .

At l ast a ft e r so m e moys e t he h e a d s pa k e t h e s e two words

, ,

T I M E 15 a nd a g a in a f t e r a n in t e rv a l
,
TI M E W A S ; a n d ,

a g a in T I M E I s P A S T
,
a nd th e r e wi t h fe ll do wn e a nd p r e s e n t ly ,

follow e d a t e rribl e moys e with str a ng e fias h es o f fi re so

, ,

tha t Mil e s w as h a l f d e a d with fe a re a t t his moys e t h e t wo

Frye r s a w a ke d O u t o n t h e e vil l a in e ( s a id Frye r Ba c on )
.

thou h a st undon e us bo t h h a d s t t hou bu t c a ll e d us wh e n it

,

did s pe ak e all Engl a nd h ad b e e n w all e d rou n d a bo u t with

,

bra ss e to i t s glory a n d our e t e rn al fa m e s

, ,

I n thos e t i m e s wh e n F r y e r Ba c on did a ll his s t r a ng e

,

t r i c k es t h e Kings o f E n gl a nd h a d a gr e a t p a r t o f F r an c e
,

Th e King o f En gl a nd did b e s e ige a strong t o wn e a nd

l a y b e f or e it full thr e e m onths a n d o ffe r e d a r e w a rd to
’

a n y o n e th a t woul d d e live r t his town e into his h a nd

Frye r B a c o n b e a ri ng o f i t w e n t in t o Fra n c e a nd in
, ,
’

f orm e d t h e kin g th a t art o ft e n t im e s do t h thos e t h i ngs t h a t

a r e im p ossibl e t o a rm e s I wi ll s pe a k on e ly o f t h i ngs
p e r f orm e d by a r t a n d n a t u r e wh e r e in sh a ll b e nothing
,

m agi c a l : an d first by t h e fi gurat i o n o f art th e r e m a y b e

, ,

m ad e instrum e nts o f n avig a t ion wi t hout m e n to row e in

the m a s gr e a t shi p s to b r ook e t h e se a o nl y wi t h o n e m an
, ,

to st e e r e th e m a n d th e y sh all s a yl e far mor e s wiftly th a n

,

if th e y w e r e f ull o f m e n : a lso c h a riots th a t sh al l move

with an uns p e ak abl e f or c e without an y livi ng c r e at u r e to
,
36 4 R OG E R B A CO N

did kill e d o ne a no t h e r ; a n d how F r y e r B ac on fo r gri e fe

,

did b re a ke h is r a re Gl a ss e wh e r e in h e c o uld se e a n y thing

,

th at was do ne wi t hi n fi ft y mil e s a bo u t him and l a s t ly , ,

‘
how F rye r Ba c on b urn t his books o f Ma g ic k a nd g ave ,

h i m se l fe t o t h e s t udy o f D ivini t y only

’

‘
And t h at all t h e wo rld sho uld k n ow how t r ul y h e did
r e pe nt his W i c ke d li fe h e c a us e d t o b e m a d e a gr e a t fi re ;
,

a n d s e nding fo r m a n y o f his f ri e nds sc h o lle rs a nd o t h e rs, , ,

h e s p a k e t o t h e m a ft e r t his m a n n e r My good fri e nds a nd

fe llow st ud e nts it is no t u n k n o wne u n t o you how t h a t
, ,

t h r ough m y a rt I h a ve a t t a in e d t o t h a t c r e di t t h a t fe w ,

m e n living e ve r h a d o f t h e wond e rs t h a t I h a v e don e a ll ,

Engl a nd c a n s p e a k bo t h ki n g a nd c o m mons ; I h a v e
,

u nl o c k e d t h e s e c r e t o f a r t a n d n a t u re a nd le t t h e world ,

se e thos e things t h a t h a v e l a y e n hid s in c e t h e d e a t h o f

,

H e rm e s t h at r a re a n d p ro fo u n d philo s o ph e r : m y s t udi e s
,

h a ve f o und t h e s e c r e t s o f t h e s t a rre s ; t h e b o o ke s t ha t
I h a v e m a d e o f t h e m d o c s e r v e f o r p r e s id e n t s ( s i c ) t o o ur
,

g r e at e s t do c t o rs so e xc e ll e n t h a t h my j u dg m e n t b e e n e
,

t h e r e in I lik e wis e h a ve fo und o ut t h e s e c re t s o f tre e s

.
,

p l a nts a n d ston e s wi t h t h e i r s e v e r a l u s e s ; ye t all this

,

knowl e dg e o f m i ne I e s t e e me s o ligh t ly t h a t I wish th a t ,

I w e r e igno ra n t a n d kn e w no t hing : fo r t h e knowl e dg e o f

,

t h e s e t hi n gs ( as I h a v e t ruly found ) s e rv e t h no t t o be tt e r
,

a m a n in g o o d me s s e b u t on e ly t o m a k e h i m pro u d a n d
,

t h i n k e too w e ll o f h i ms e l fe Wh at h ath a ll my knowl e dg e

.

o f n a tur e s s e c r e ts g a in e d m e ? O n e ly t his t h e loss e o f ,

a b e t t e r knowl e dg e t h e loss e o f divin e s t u di e s

,
whi c h ,

m a k e s t h e i mmo r t a ll pa r t o f m a n ( hi s soul e ) bl e ss e d I h a v e .

f o u nd th a t m y knowl e dg e h a s b e e n a h e a vy b urd e n a nd h as
, ,

k e p t down e my good t hough t s b u t I wil l r e mov e t h e c au s e ,

whi c h are th e s e b oo ke s ; whi c h I do p u rp os e h e re b e for e

y o u a ll t o b u r n e T h e y a l l intr
. e a t e d him t o s r
p e hi s
a

b o o k e s b e c a us e in th e m t h e r e w e r e thos e t hings th a t a ft e r
,

a g e s might r e ce iv e gr e a t b e n e fi t by H e would not h e a rk e n .

unto th e m but t h re w t h e m all i nto t h e fi re a nd in th a t

, ,

fla m e burnt t h e g r e a t e st l e a rning in t h e world

’
.

Fri a r B ac on s Br a ze n H e a d
’
is r e p e at e dl y m e ntion e d
by t h e E liz a b e th a n dr a m a tists . In B e n J o ns o n s
’
Every
M a n i n hi s H umou r Co b s a ys Oh ,
an
’
my ho u s e
we re t he B r a z e n h e a d now
-
f a ith it wo ul d e
’
en s pe ak M oe
 E NG LI SH LITE RA TUR E 36 5

f ools yet in Rob e rt Gr e e n e s Tu Qu oque

( Ac t I I Sc iii ) ,
. an d
’

( p rint e d 1 6 1 4) we find
Look to yours e l f sir t h e br a z e n ,

h e a d h a s s pok e a n d I must l e a ve you Far m or e im po r t a n t

, .
’

t h a n t h e s e pa ssin g allusions is Rob e r t Gr e e n e s H on our a bl e ’

H i story of F ri e r B a co n a n d F r i e r B on gay first p rint e d in ,

1 5 94 but pe r f orm e d as e a r ly a s F e br u a ry 1 5 92 a n d rob bly

, p a

e a rli e r .

I t h as b e e n a ssu m e d by t h e l e a r n e d e ditor o f this p l a y

t h a t t he sto r y o f F ri a r Bac on a nd Fri a r Bung a y was t a k e n
by Gr e e n e fr om a po pul a r story book n a m e ly t h e F a mo u s -

Histo r i e al r e a dy q u ot e d An e x a m in a t ion o f th e pr in t e d .
‘

t e x t o f t his Hi s t o ri e p rove s how e ve r t h a t p a r t s o f it , ,

a re t a k e n word fo r word fro m c h a pt e rs i v a nd v o f t h e

, ,

tr a nsl ation o f Rog e r B ac on s t r e at is e o n t h e m a rv e llo us ’ ‘

pow e r o f n a tur e a nd a rt This t r a n s l a t io n wa s no t p rint e d

unt il 1 5 97 fiv e y e a rs a ft e r t h e d e a th o f G re e n e i n 1 5 92 a nd
, ,

mor e th a n th a t t im e a ft e r t h e fi rs t r e c o rd e d p e r form a n c e
o f t h e pl a y H e n c e in a cc e pting t h e Histo r i e as t h e ’

.
,

sour ce o f t he p l a y we m ust ass u me th a t t h e t r a nsl ation ,

h a d alr e a dy b e e n in e xis t e n c e in a m a n us c ri p t fo r m a n d ,

th a t t he m an us c r i p t o f t h e Hi s t ori e partly d e riv e d th e re

from was ac c e ssibl e to t he a uthor o f t h e pl a y a t l e a st fi v e
,

ye ars b e for e t h e tr ansl a tion wa s p rint e d The u lti m at e .

printin g o f t h e Histori e ma y h a ve b e e n prom pt e d by

t he int e r e s t e x c it e d by t h e p l a y B oth w e r e p r int e d by t h e .

s a m e pe rson Eliz a b e t h Ald e ,

.

I n t h e first s c e n e o f this p l a y t h e king s f ool s a ys

’

‘
We e l rid e t o Oxf ord to F ri e r B a con ; oh h e is a br a v e ,

s c hol ar sir ra th e y s ay h e is a br a ve n ig r om an c e r ( i
,
.

W W ar d O l d E n gl i s h D r a ma S e le c t P l a ys i n Cl a re n d o n
‘
A . .
, , ,

1 8 7 8 I n r o d u c i o n t o G r e e n e s F r i a r B a c on a n d F r i a r
t t
’ ’

P re ss S e ri e s , ,

B u nga y p p c v i ff
,
. x .

p 36 0
. s u pr a , .

3
I h a v e m a i n l y f o ll o w ed Ch u r t o n Co ll i n s s e d i t i o n
’

( O xf o rd , 190 5)
b ut I hav e add ed the r e fe r e n c e s to the s c e ne s a n d li ne s of the

Cla r e n d o n P r e s s S e r i e s ed . A . W W ar d. .
366 R OG E R BA CO N

T he s e c ond s c e n e is F ri a r B ac on s c e ll ’
at B r as e nos e
’

wh e r e t h e Fri a r a s ks t h e O x fo rd do c tors
Why flo e k e y o u t h us to B acon s s e c r e t Ce ll ,

A fri e r n e wly s t a ld e in B raze n nose ?

One of the do c to rs re p li e s
B a c on we h e a r t h a t long w e h a v e s us p e c t
, , ,

T h a t tho u a r t r e a d in Ma gi c ks m ys t e ri e ;
I n P i ro m a n c i e t o divi n e b y fla m e s ;
T o t e ll by H a d ro ma t i c k e e bbs a n d t id e s ;
‘
,

B y Ae ro m a nc i e t o di s c o v e r do ub t s ,

To pl a i ne o u t qu e s t io n s a s A pollo did ( ii 1 0 ,
.

I t e ll t h e e B a co n Oxf or d m ak e s r e p o r t
, , ,

Na y E ngl a nd a nd t h e c o urt o f H e nri e s ai e s

, ,

Th a r t m a king o f a b r a z e n h e a d by a rt ,

Whi c h sh all u n fol d s t r a ng e doub t s a n d A phorism e s ,

And r e a d a l e c t ure o n Philoso phi e ;

A n d by t h e h e l pe o f di v e l s a n d gh a stly fi e n d s
, ,

T h o n m e a n s t e re m a n y ye a re s or da i e s b e p a st
, ,

T o c om p a ss e E ngl a n d wi t h a w all o f b ra ss e ( 2 3

Bac on d m i t s th at h e ha d c o n t ri v d a n d fra m de h e ad
'

a a

of b ra ss e and s
p e a ks as f ollows of Fri ar Burd e n :

As o ll e dg e c all e d Bra ze nn o se
t he c
Is und e r him a n d h e t h e Ma ist e r th e r e
, ,
‘

S o sur e ly sh all this h e a d o f br a sse b e fra md e ,

An d y e el d forth str a ng e a n d u n c outh A phorism e s ( 1 7 2

I n t h e f o ur t h s c e n e King H e nry III at H a m p ton H ouse , ,

s a ys t o the G e rm a n sor c e r e r V a n d e rm a s t
I n Oxf ord sh a l t tho u find a i olli e f ri e r ,

Cal d F r i e r B a c on E n gla n ds o nl y flowe r

, ( iv 5 9 .

In t h ere st o f t his pl a y t h e s c e n e is l a id som e tim e s a t

O x f ord som e tim e s in Su ffolk but t h e di ffe r e n c e is imm a t e ri al
, , ,

f or Fri a r Bac on s gl a ss p ros p e c tiv e e n a bl e s him t o show

’

a t Ox f ord wh at s don e this d ay in m e rry Fre ss ingfi e l d

’

( vi .

H y dr o m a n c y W a r d , .

F r i a r B ur d e n i s , by an a n a c h r o ni s m , d e sc ri b e d as Ma st e r
( i ns t e a d o f Pr i n c i p a l ) o f B r a s e n o s e ,
whi ch wa s no t foun d e d un t il 1 50 9 .
s pe e c h r e fe rs t o his n ig ro m a n t ic ke
,
‘
c h arm e s ’

( xi .

a n d to t h e mo ns t r o u s h e a d o f bra ss e
Th a t by ,
t h e i nc h a u n t i n g f o rc e s
De vil of t he ,

Sh a ll t e ll o u t s t ra ng e a n d u nc o t h A phoris m e s ,

An d gir t fa ir e E n gl a nd with a w all o f b ra sse ( 2 0 f

In the b e a ri ng o f t h e se rva nt Mil e s thr e e ti me s a ft e r , ,

thre e l o ng p a u s e s t h e Br a z e n H e a d m a k e s a g re a t nois e a nd
, , ,

a ft e r e ac h n ois e u t t e rs t h e wo r ds T I M E I S TI M E W A S T I M E
, , ,

I S FA S T . A l ightni ng fla s he t h fo rt h a nd a h a n d a p pe a re s
‘
,

th a t br e ak e t h down t h e H e a d wi t h a h a mm e r As t he .
’

voi c e h a d not b e e n h e a rd by Bac o n hims e l f all was i n ,

va in a nd t h e Fri a r soliloquiz e s on TI M E I S F A ST
Ti s p a st i n d e e d Ah vill a i ne ! t i me is pa s t
’
.
,

My li fe my fa m e m y gl ori e a ll a re p a s t
, , , .

B a con ,

Th e t u rr e t s o f thy ho p e a re r u i n d down e
’
,

Th y s e v e n ye a re s study li e t h i n t h e d u st :
Th y B ra z e n H e a d li e s brok e n ( xi 96 .

In th e thi rt e e n th s c e n e he c o m pl a ins to Fri ar B ung a y

Ah ,
my Bra ze n H e a d is s p o ild
B u nga y , ,

My gl ori e gon e my s e v e n ye are s s t udi e l ost !

,

Th e fa m e o f B a c on b rut e d through t h e world , ,

Sh all e n d a nd pe rish wi th this d e e pe disgr a c e .

Bu t B u ng a y r e a ssur e s him
B a c on h a th built found ation o f his fa m e
S o sur e ly on t h e wings o f tru e r e p ort ,

With a c ting str a ng e a n d unc ot h mir ac l e s ,

As this c a nnot in fring e wh a t h e d e s e rve s ( xiii .

4

In th e s a m e s c e n e t h e gl a ss p ros pe c tive e n a bl e s two

s c hol ars o f O x ford t o se e th e ir fa th e rs sl a y on e a noth e r in
Su ffolk a n d Bac on sorrowfully a dmi t s
,

This gl a ss e p ros p e c tiv e work e th m a ni e wo e s ;

E n d all thy m a gi c k e a n d thin e a rt a t on c e
So fa de t h e gl a ss e a nd e n d with it t h e show e s
,

Th a t Nigr om a n c i e did in f u s e t h e ch r i s t all with ( 7 7

 ENG LI SH LITERA TUR E 36 9

He bre aks the gl a ss ,

and t e lls Bung a y th at he r e pe nts
Th a t e v e r B a c on m e ddl e d in this a rt .

Th e ho n r e s I h a v e s pe nt in p i ro man t i ck e s pe ls ,

Th e fe a rful l tossi n g in t h e l a t e st night

O f p a pe rs ful l o f Nig ro ma nt i c k e c h a rm e s ( 87
In t h e fifte e nth s c e n e l aid for t h e l a st tim e in Fri a r
,

Bac on s c e ll t h e st ag e di r e c tion runs

‘ ’
E n ter a B evi ll
’

, ,

( almost t h e l a st a ppe ar a n c e o f a n y d e v il on th e English

st ag e ) a n d th e De vil e x pl a ins his p r e s e n c e th u s
,

B a con h a th ra i sd m e fro m t h e d a rk e st d e e pe ,

T o s e a r c h a bo u t t h e wo rld fo r M i l es his m a n ,

For M i le s a n d t o to r me n t his las ie bon e s

,

For c a re le s w a t c hing o f his Bra se n H e a d ( xv 6 .

In t h e sixt e e n t h
l a st s c e n e Ba c on a ppe ar s in sil e n c e
and ,

a t Court a t t h e m a rri a g e o f Prin c e Edw a rd t o Elinor o f

,

Cas t il e a nd t h e king a sks

,

B ut why st an ds Fry e r B acon h e re so m ut e

and Bac on c on fe ss e s hi m s e l f
R e pe nt a nt fo r t he folli e s o f my youth ,

Th a t Ma gi c ks s e c r e t myst e r i e s misl e d ( xvi .

35

We nnot pa rt from this pl a y without r e c alling t h e fac t

ca

th a t its a uthor a m e m b e r o f St ] ohn s Coll e g e Ca mbridg e

, .
’
,

( in c or p ora t e d a t Ox ford in ac tu ally a nti c i pa t e d t h e

p pro os a l t o s e t u p a st a t u e in ho n our o f Rog e r Ba c on a t

O x f ord a pro p os al now h a pp ily in c ourse o f ful fil me n t

, .

In t h e c e ll a t Br a s e nos e o ne o f t h e Do c tors o f O x f ord

thus a ddr e sse s t h e Fri ar
B a c on we c om e not g re e v i n g a t thy Skill
, ,

B ut i o yi ng th a t our A c a dé m i e ye e l d s
A ma n s upp o s d e t h e woo n d e r o f th e world ;
For i f thy c u nning work e t h e s e myracle s ,

En gla n d a n d E ur ope sh all a dmire thy fa m e ,

And Oxf ord sh all in c h ar ac t e rs o f bra sse ,

And St atu e s su c h a s we re built up in

,
Rome ,

E t e rniz e Fri e r B ac on fo r his a rt ( ii 36 .

1 689 B b
37 0 R OG ER BA CO N

Mil e s W i nd so re ,
in th e Eliz a b e t h a n
onn e c t s t he a ge , c

sto ry o f t he Bra z e n H e a d wi t h t h e bra z e n nose in t he

fa c e ov e r B ra s e nose Coll e g e g a t e a nd r e p or t s t h a t a lik e ,

n e ss ; e ith e r o f Ba c on or o f t he H e a d was k e pt in t he se c re t ,

r e c e sse s o f t h e H all o f Phil oso phy whi c h o c c u pi e d p a r t o f ,

t he si t e o f Br a s e nos e I n t h e t itl e o f t h e Eliz a b e t h a n t ra nsl a

‘
.

tion o i t he a dmirabl e forc e a nd e f fic ac ie o f Ar t a nd Na t ur e

t h e a u t hor i s d e s c rib e d a s so me t im e fe ll ow o f Me r t on ‘

Coll e dg e a nd a ft e rw a rds o f Br a se n nose Coll e dg e

,
wh e r e as -

Br a s e nos e w a s no t f ound e d un t il 1 5 0 9 a l t hough Me r t o n h a d ,

b e e n fo unde d in 1 2 6 4 7 4 d uring t h e li fe t i me o f Rog e r Bac on

—
,
.

I n t h e s e v e nt e e nth c e n t ury Ba c o n s S t u dy on t h e ’ ’

, ,

south sid e o f O x ford w a s r e ve re ntl y visi t e d by t he Danish

,

s c hol ar a nd vot ary o f c h e mis t ry Ol a us B orric hius a nd i t ,

wa s use d a s a p oint o f obse rv a tion wh e n O x ford wa s

b e si e g e d by t h e P a rli a me n t ary for ce s in 1 6 44 .

In He a r ne s D i a ry fo r S e pt e m b e r 2 3 1 7 2 4 w e r e a d th a t
’
, ,

t h e Pl a c e known n o w by t h e n a m e o f Bac on s S t udy ( t h e

’

lowe r P a rt wh e re o f is c e r t a inl y v e ry old ) wa s use d by him

c h i e fly f o r his Astronomi cal S t udi e s a nd h e r e I b e li e ve , , ,

h e p e n n d m a ny o f his w ri t ings t h a t a n y t hing r e l a t e d t o

’

th a t Subj e c t wh ilst wh a t h e did in Chymis t ry wa s c a rri e d

,

on by him in pl a c e s mor e p riva t e so me t im e s in t he Sub u rbs ,

in whi c h th e re wa s al so a fi ne Grove o f tr e e s now a b a re ,

Me adow a n d som e tim e s a t Sunningw e ll th e n m uc h more

, ,

r e tire d th a n e ve n a t this tim e a bunda n c e o f woods h a ving ,

b e e n de stroy e d t h e r e abouts A t Sunningw e ll t h e y h ave .

t h e tr a dition o f Frye r Ba c on s studying th e r e t o this d a

’

y ,

wh e re ( ac c ording t o t h e s am e tr a dition ) h e h ad a n Ob se r
vat or
y a n
, d th at too u p on t h e T ow e r o f the Chur c h
, , .

O th e r S c hol ars o f Ox f ord h a d in those tim e s lik e wise th e ir , ,

r e tiring Pl ac e s in imit a tion of Fry e r Bac on whos e E xa m pl e

, ,

was mu c h f oll ow e d h e b e ing inde e d a Prodigy o f Le a rning

, , , ,

H e a rn e
’
s D i a ry , c xx x ii .
73 f .
(A W . . W a rd ’
s In t ro d uc t i o n to
G re e n e
’
s F r i a r B a co n , p . xx i ) .
enthusi ast ’
,
burning fo r a sc hol ar s ’
fa m e ,
t he me mor a ble
c ou pl e t :

B odl e y s d om e his fu t ur e l a bo u rs s pr e a d
’
O
’
er ,

And Bac on s m a n s ion tr e mbl e s

’
o e r his h e a d
’
.

La s t ly we find Lor d Byron

, ,
in D on ] ua n using t he

phra se
No w lik e Fri a r
Ba con s br a z e n h e ad s pok e n
’
I
’ ‘
, ,
ve .

Ti me wa s Ti me i s Ti me s pa st
’
.
, ,

T he re fe r e nc e s to Rog e r Bac on in English li t e r a ture a s ,

s e t f orth in t his a e show lit t l if a n a pp r e ci a t ion of

p p r e y , , ,

t h e v al ue o f his r e a l dis c ov e ri e s Ev e n in t h e sc i e nc e o f .

O p ti c s t o whi c h h e d e vo t e d t e n ye a r s o f st u dy o ne o f his
, ,

most im p or t ant dis c ov e ri e s ha s b e e n ignor e d by a G e rm an

o f world wid e r e put a tion H umbold t in his Cas mos h as
-
‘
.
, ,

a ttrib u t e d t o Fr a n c is Bac on in t h e se c ond book o f t h e ,

N ovu m Orga n um t h e dis c ov e ry t h a t light mus t h a ve a n

,
3

a p pr e c i a bl e v e l o c ity B ut t his dis c ov e ry wa s r e a lly d ue t o

.

t he e a rli e r Ba con I n t h e Opu s Maj us o f Rog e r Ba con we

.

r e a d th a t al l t h e a u t hors in c l uding Aristo t l e hold th a t , ,

t h e p ro p a g a t ion o f ligh t is ins t a n t a n e ous but t he truth is

th a t its p ro pa g a tion is e ff e c t e d in a v e ry short b ut a ppre c i
a bl e in t e rv a l o f t im e A form e r Ma s t e r o f Tri ni ty in th e
.
‘
,

su ppl e m e nt ary volum e t o his His t ory o f t h e Inductive

S c i e n c e s , r e sting his o pi nion on t h e Opus M aj us alon e ,

d e s c rib e s th a t work as t h e En c y cl o p ae di a a nd t h e Novum

O rg a num o f t h e thir t e e nth c e n t ury Th e p r e se nt Ma st e r
o f T rinity h a s a ssur e d me on t h e a uthority o f hi s broth e r , ,

Mr S p e n ce r P e r c e va l Butl e r th a t one o f t h e e min e nt e ditors

.
,

o f t h e works o f Fr a n c is Ba con Mr Rob e rt Le sli e Ellis , .

,

on c e s aid t o Dr Wh e we ll I h a v e l a t e ly b e e n r e a ding som e

.

o f Rog e r B ac on s wr itings an d I a m in c l i n e d t o thi nk th a t

’
,

h e m ay h a v e b e e n e v e n a gr e a t e r m an th a n our Fr a ncis
’
.

Ca n t o i 2 1 7 , .iii 9 0 e d 85 ii 4 6 .
,
. 1 0 .
3
. .

pp 2 9 8 30 0 (ii 6 7 7 1 B ri d g e s )
.
, Ch ar l e s p
.
, , , . 295 .

W h e e ll On the P hi los op hy of D i scovery ( ed

w , .
p 65
. .
37 6 APP ENDI X
t he l h e mi c a l wo rk s a tt ri b ut e d t o Ba c on : a nd I wo uld
a c

s pe c i a lly d ra w t he a tt e n t ion o f Ari s t o t e li a ns t o t he Amie ns

MS ( No s 1 — 3
. o f m a t h e m a t i c i a ns t o NO S
.
,
17 44 4 5 ; .
, ,

o f philologis t s t o t h e Sum m a Gra m ma t ic ae in No 34 and ‘ ’

.
,

t o t h e ve ry i nt e re s t i ng MS To ulo u s e 40 2 m e n t ion e d i n t he .

no t e t o N 33 o . .

Th e di s c ove ry i n t he V a t i c a n Libr a ry o f wh a t a ppe a rs t o

be a C m ple t e c o py o f Bac on s M eta phys i c a n e w s o f w h i c h
’
o ,

re ac h e d me as t h e s e p ag e s w e r e in t he pre s s r a i se s ho pe s o f ,

s till fu r t h e r finds .

A G LITTLE . . .

R IS B O R O U G H ,

S E V E N O A KS .

I . G ENU INE
Quae s t io nes li bros i — v P hys i co rum Aris to te lis
s upe r .

I nc ta bu la : I nc i p i unt q ue st i o ne s n a t ura le s e t prim o

‘
.

q ue s t i o ne s li bri Ph i s ic o ru m Ari s t o te li s I nc li b i .
’
. .
'

Q ue st i o ne s primi Phi s ic o rum Ro ge ri Ba c hun .

Q uo ni a m q uide m i n te llige re e t c Hic pri mo q ue ri tm ,

.

u t rurn d e c o rpo re m o b ili

’
.

MSS A m.i e n s 40 6 ff 6 —2 8 [ e nd s i mpe rf ] ( sec xi ii ,

. . .

De sc ribe d b y V i c t o r Co usi n i n j our nal des S avants 1 8 48 , ,

PP
Qua es t i ones s uper P h ysi co rum Ari st o te lis
li bros i —
vi .
‘

I nc i p i un t que s t i o ne s s up ra li b ru m Ph i s i c o ru m a ma gi st ro ,

di c t o Bac uun Q uo ni a m i nt e lli ge re e t sc ire c irca .

omne s sc i e n t ia s ac c i dit e t c Ist e li be r c uj us sub ,

.
,

D i g b y MS 1 5 0 ( s e c . . xi i i exi n la te r
.
) t
c o n a in s tw o tr ti ses
ea as c ri be d
han d s t o R o g e r B a c o n Th e r s i s t h e S u mma p h i los op hi ae n at ur al i s o r
. fi t
P hi l os ophi a p a upam m o f e n a ri b u e d t o A l b e r u s M a g n u s i ne t tt tP h y lo t ,
.

t
3 0 p hi a d i v i d i t ur i n r es p art es vi d e li c e i n lo gi ca m e thi c a m e t p hi s i ca m
, t .

e xpl H a n c s umm am co mp o s u i t fr R o g e ru s B ago u n t T h e se co nd

’
. . .

t
( s cr i p um B a k o n s up e r li b r o s p hi s i c o rum
‘
i s an a na l y s is o f th e e i g h t
b oo ks o f th e P h y si c s o f Ar is o l e ( i n e t t
N a t ur a li s p hi 10 5 0 p hi e p rin ci p a les .

p ar es s u n VI II
t t as cr i b e d t o B a c o n in t w o h an d s o f th e fi f te e nth an d

sixt t
e e n h c e n u ri es t t
T h e l a t e r r ea i s e a p p e ar s t o b e c o n a i ne d in MS
. t t t .

Amp lo n F 2 9 7 ( s e c x i v )
. . .
, w
h e re i t i s a t r i b u ed t o W al e r B u r le y ( fl 1 2 7 5 t t t .

t
b u t t h e d a e o f th e D i g b y M S m a k es h i s as c ri p i o n i mp ro b a b le . t t
i f n o t im p o s s i b l e Th e o r k s ee m s t o h a v e b e e n
. riw e n b y a r e li gi o u s w tt
e g
. . D i g b y MS f 1 0 0 : H ec i gi ur di c t a d e li b r o p his i oo rum b r e v i t e r
. . t
s u ffi e i a n t q u e q u a n d o q u e r e p e t e n d o h u nc li b r u m q uib u sd a m n o s tr is
fr a tr i b u s h e c m o d i c a e x t rax imu s
’
.
 R OG E R BA CON S W ORKS
’

377

st an t i vu m
orpus mobile Que ri tur primo ut rum
e st c .

d e na t ur a li bus po ss i t e sse sc i e n t i a
’
.

MS .Ami e ns 40 6 ff 2 9—5 6 6 3 —7 4 ( se c xi ii , .
,
‘ ‘
.

De sc ri be d b y V Co u si n . .

2 . Quaes ti ones super librum de Planti s ( or Veg e tabilibus ) .

I nc i p i unt que st io ne s sup ra libr um d e p la nt i s a magi s t ro ,

oge ro B a cc o n Tri a ut a i t Emp e do c le s i n t o t a re mm

.

v ari e t a t e
pri nc i pi a e t c S uppo si t o quod he c sci e nt i a ,
.

d e c o rp ore m o b i li ani ma t o c o mp osi t o

’
, , .

MS . Ami e ns 40 6 ff 5 7 63 ( se c xiii ,
.
—
.

De sc ri b e d b y V Co usi n ( c f Charle s Roger Bacon p

. .
, ,
.

3 . Quaes ti on es in Aris to te li s Me taphysi ca .

I nc i p iu nt q ue s t io ne s s upra p rim um Me ta p hys ic e a ,

magi s t ro Ro ge ro Bac c o Omne s h o mi ne s na t ura sc ire .

de side ra nt e t c Dubi t a t ur d e i st a sci e nt i a primo de

, .
,

s ub s t a nt i v o .

MS . Ami e ns 40 6 ff 7 8 74 1 6 6— 6 se c x iii
7 (
, .
, .

De sc ri be d by V Co usi n . .

A no t he r se ri e s o f q ue st io ns o n b oo k s i ii a nd i v o f t he , ,

Me t a ph ysi c s s c o nt ai ne d i n t he s ame MS f 1 7 6 se q
i "
, . .

Hic i nc i p i un t q ue st io ne s s upra p rim urn Me t a p his ic e

‘

Ari s t o t e li s Omne s ho mi ne s
.

Q ue r i t u r h i e p ri mo
u t ru m he c pro po si t io It i s no t c le a r whe t h e r t he se
’
.

a re b y B a c o n .

Sum ma M Ro g er i Ba c on de so ph isrna ti bus e t di s tin c tionibus

’

4 . . .

I nc Po t e st que ri d e d ifli c ult a t i bus ac c id e nt i bus

. .
’

MS Bo d l Di gb y 6 7 ff 1 1 7 2 4 ( se c xiii ) fra gm e nt
. .
"
, .
— . .

5 . Ques tiones natu ral e s ma th ema ti ce as tronomi ce e tc ,

rep r o ba ti o n es Ro g er i Ba c o n
’
.

MS . Pari s Bi bl Na t 1 6 0 8 9 ff 9 1
. .
,
.
—
7 (
‘
se c c . xiii—xiv ) .

t
Th e se qu ae s ti on e s re la e t o r a p id i y o f mo v e m e n , c ir c e s e s t t l w ig ht
,

a n d m e as u r es , t
as r o n o m y r u b r i c s d o m i n i c a l l e e r s so lar y e a r , ,
tt ,
.

x
T h e p as sa g e e p r e s s l y a ri b u t e d t o B a c o n i s h a o n tt
e i gh s t t w t
a n d m eas u r e s I nc f . Me n s u r a u t d i c i t u r e s t q uid q u i d
. .

t t
p o n d e r i s c a p ac i a e lo ng i u d i n e a l i u d i ne c o mp r e h e n d i tu r ;
, t , tt ’

E x p li c i u n t r e p r o b a t i o n e s R o g e r i B a c o ni s T hi s i s
’
f . .

t
i mm e d i a e l y fo ll o e d b y : w
R o g e ru s N u nc i uv an d u m mi .

r a n d u m e s t q u o d i n d i v e r s i s sc i e n t ii s mu l a t r a c t a n tu r e ad e m
] t
t t
fr a g me n s o n as ro n o m y r u b ri c s d o mi n i c a l l e e rs s o la r y e a r , , tt , ,

e n d i n g o n f 97
r
i h the
. ord s wt ut a nn i d i v i d a n t u r p e r 6 0 u t w
fi a n t h o r e e t re s u l a n 8 h o r e t t
( fr o m i n fo rm a i o n ki n d ly s up t
p li e d b y M o n s i e u r A Co l ) . .

6 . Tra c ta tus ad de c laran da qua e dam ure dic ta in libro Se cre ti

o bs c

Se cre to rum Aris to te lis I nc . . Pro pt e r mult a i n hoc libro

Cf . W o rc e st e r t
Ca h e d ra l MS Q . . 1 3, ff . 2 79
— 1 16 .
37 8 APP ENDI X
t t q ui ü be r d i c i t ur S c re t um Se c mt o rum Aris to te lis
con e n a e

s i v e li be r d e re g i mi ne p ri nc i pum
’
.

x
MSS : O fo rd : B o l d T 1 6 ff —6
( se c xiii
'
. a nne r 1 1 .
,
. .

t he s a m e 5 c o nt a i ns t he S e cr et um S ecr eta r a m
—6 '

a tt ri b ut e d t o A ri s t o t l c um q ui b usd a m d e c la r a t i o ni b us e

fra t ri s Ro ge r i Bac o n — Co r p us Chr Co ll 1 49 ( se c x v ) . . . .

Ca m b r d g e i
Tr n Co ll 1 0 3 6 ( se c x v i ff 1 20
— "
. . .
’
.

ff 2 5 — 1 30 . e xp l l be r se c re t se c re t o r um
,
'

r st . i i Ai .

q u i l ber i n t i t u l i
a t ur l b e r d e ce m sc i e nc ia rum c um i
q u i b us d a m d e c la ra c io nib us Fr Ro g e r i Ba c u n d e . o rd .

mi no r um — Fi t z w i lli a m Muse um Mc Cle a n 1 53 ( se c

’
.
, . xv ) .

( The s e t h re e MSS a p pe ar t o b c o pi e s o f Tan ne r

e
.

rid g e s i 258 n ii
( Ci B 10 n .
4 03 , ,
.
,
.
,
n .

E D IT IO N by Mr S t e e le i s i n t he pre s s . .

7 . Com putu s Na tur al i um , t re a t i se a on t he c a le n a r , d t h re e

in
t c o nt ai ni ng
pa r s , 21 20 a nd 8 re s pe c t i ve ly , , c h a p t e rs ,

wri tt e n A D 1 2 6 3 I nc Orn n i a te mpus ha be nt e t c

‘

. . . ut .
,
.
,

S a lo mo n t e s t a tu r Igi t ur o m ni a si v e si nt pro duc t a . .

’

Expl ut. s i m p li c e s i ns t ruc t io ne m e t s a pi e nt e s p lur i s

m
’
i n v e s t ig a t i o n i s c a p i a n t o c c a s io ne .

MSS B ri t i sh
. Muse um : R o ya l 7 F . v iii ,
Y
i gg— 1 6 3 ( s e
c .

xiii
O x fo rd Se ld e n s u pra 7 9 f 1 5 0 ( e x c e rpt a ) — U ni v
Bo d l .
,
. . .

Co lle g e 4 8 ( se c x v ii ) . .

Do ua i 6 9 1 5 2 ( se c x v ii ) ,
. .

Ci Er fu rt A mp lo n F 39 4 ff 1 4 5 — 7 ( s c x i v i n )
. Li b r .
,
.
e
. .
e

Bac h o n i s d e c o m po t o I nc Si loc a t i s a li quib u s .

’

v o l u e r i s s c i re i n c i rc u lo expl la t i t ud i ne m a us t ra le m .

mu lt a m a v i a s o li s
’
.

S umm a ry p ri nt e d b y E Char le s Roger B aco n p p 335 —8 .

, ,
. .

Thi s i s p e rh a p s t he w o r k m e n t i o ne d i n t h e Ca t a lo gu e o f
t h e A u s t i n F ri a r s Li b r ar y Yo r k No 1 96 a s t r ac t a t u s
'

.
, , ,

Ro ge ri b ac o n d e t e mp o re ( e d M R J ame s i n t he
’
. . .
,

F as c i c ul us ] oa n ni Will i s Cl ar k d i cat us ) .

8 . De term ino w o r k t o whi c h Bac o n re fe rs

Pas ch ali , a n e ar l e r i ,

i n t he Co mputus n at ur al i urn ( Cha r le s p 7 8 : I n prae c e , .

de nt i o pe re ub i d e t e rmi no Pasc h ali i nqui si vi mus ,

’

Computus c a p iii ) doe s no t s e e m t o be e xt ant

,
.
,
.

T h e f o llo wi ng a r i c le i n hi s M S t
1 64— 9 1 i s a t
Ca l e n d ar b e gi nni ng .
, ,

wt t
i h S e p e mb e r s h o w in g l u n ar c o n u n c i o n s e t c fo r fo u r c y c l es o f ni ne ee n
, j t ,
.
,
t
y ea rs b e gin n i n g 1 2 5 4
,
T h e c a n o n b e lo i s v e r y in c o rr ec ly tr a ns c n be d
. w t '

b u t fix es t h e d a e as 1 2 68 t
A mo ng t h e v e r y f e w sa i n t s Ins e rt e d ar e .

S S F ran c is D e n ys an d Ge rm ai n
.
, ( Mr Gils o n s Ca a lo gu e ) Ci i e nn a .
’
t . . V ,

t
B i bl P a l a MS 2 5 1 0 c a l e nd ar co mp il e d c i r c a 1 2 5 4
. . .
,
( B) MSS . a nd e di t i o ns
part s o f se p a ra e t
I On the f o ur gen e ra l ca uses of huma n i gnoranc e
. I nc cap i . . .
,

S a pie nt i ae pe rfe c t a c o ns ide ra t io .

’

MS B ri t Muse um Co tt Ju l F vii ff 1 86 —2 0 0 ( se c
. . . . . , . .

The le a v e s h a v e be e n mi s p lac e d i n b i nd i ng ; t he wo rk
e nd s wi t h t he w o rd s fac i li us adi mple re on f 1 96
‘ "
.

( Bridge s i P o l 1 9 7 be g i ns ma ni fe st is
‘
i ii
'
2 ,
.
,
. . .

Q ue ma dm o d um ( Bri d ge s p 6 ) f 2 0 0 e nds wi t h t he , . .

w o rd s s ic ut i pse me t c o nfite t ur e t ( Bridge s p , .

II On the con nexi o n of phi loso phy wi th theolo gy

. I nc c ap i . . .
,

Re le g a t is i g i t ur [ i n i nfe r num] q ua t uo r c a us is
’
.

No se para t e MSS .

I II On the stud y of la nguage o r D e uti l i tate gra mmati ca e

. .

I nc c a p i De c la r a t o i gi t ur q uod u na e s t sa pi e nt i a
’
. . .
,

No se pa ra t e MSS .

I V On ma themati ca l s c i e n c e o r De uti l i ta te ma the ma ti c a e I nc

.
,

‘
Ma ni fe s t a t o q uo d mu lt ae prae c la ra e ra d i c e s sa pi e nt iae .

Th e p a r t c o nt a i ns se v e ra l s e c t io ns : ( a ) Uti l i tas mathe

mati cae i n phys i c i s i n 4 d is t i nc t io ne s Brid ge s i
‘
.
, ,

—1
97 7 4 ; i n c ut s upra ( b) Util i ta s m athemati cae i n . .

di vi n i s B ri d g e s i 1 7 5 —2 38 i ne Po s t q ua m ma ni fes t a
‘
. .
, ,

e s t ne c e s si t a s ( c ) j udi c i a a stran omi a e , B ridge s i

’
. .
,

2 38 —6 9 i nc Ma ni fe st a t o q uo mod o m a th e ma t i c a .

ne c e s s a ri a e s t ( d) Car re rti a ca lend a ri i Bridge s i

’
. .
, ,

2 69 —8 5 i nc Se d h ae c h ac t e nus Nunc v e ro i n fe ram . .

se c u nd um ( e ) Gea
’

( c f Op Tert c a p 68 p . . .
, .
,
.

r a hi a
g p B rid g e s i 2 8 6 —
3 7 6 i n c
, P o s t q ua m d e c la r a ,
. .

t um e s t q uo mo d o ma t h e ma t i c a ( f ) A strologi a
’
.

B rid ge s i 37 6—40 3 i ne Po s t loc o r um d e sc r i p t i o ne m

,
. . .

MSS Bri t Muse um Ro y a l 7 F vii , ff 2 —6 2 ( se e x iii e x )

. . . . .
,
.

Pars qua rt a c ompe nd ii st ud ii t he o lo gi e I nc Ma ni .

’
.

fe st o ( s i c ) q uo d m ult e &c Expt p ri nc i p a l e m ,

’
. .

T hi s se e ms t o be t h e i n th e li b rar y o f MS . whi ch R e na n c o ns u l e d t
S t G r e go r y i n C li vo S c a u r i a t R o me ( A ve r r o es e t l A ve r r o i s me , p 2 6 3
’
. .

A r c hi ve s d e s M as s i 0 n 3 & c i F a h e r L i v a ri u s O li g e r O E M ,
.
, . t , . .

t t
i n fo rms m e h a n o M S o f R o g e r B a c o n i s m e n i o n ed i n t h e ca a lo gue o f . t t
t h e S t G re g o r y M SS
. w
hi c h a r e n o w in th e B ib li o e c a N a z i o n a le a t R o m e
. t
i s it a t St Gre gory s L i k e m a n y o f t h e S t G r e g o ry M SS h i s P ar is t
’
no r . . . .
,

MS o ri gi n a lly c a m e fro m e ni c e
. T h e p ass ag e q u o e d b y R e n a n , A ve r ro és V . t
e t l A c e r r o i s me W il l b e fo u n d i n B ri d g es i Ii 4 7
’ '

u s ,
. .
, , . .

I n Ju l D v a n d V a t 4 0 8 6 t h e r a n s i i o n fr o m P ar I I I t o P ar IV
. .
,
. t t t t
i s no t c le ar ly m a r k ed S e e B ri d g es iii pp vi ii i x .
, . .
, .

3
t
T hi s s e c i o n f) i s n o t fo un d In V a t 4 0 8 6 n o r i n Tib C v b u t oc c u rs .
, . .
,

i n D i g b y 2 3 5 a n d i n Es c o ri a l g I II 1 7 T h e s u b s a n c e o f i t a g r ees i h . . . t wt
w th a i s s ai d i n Opu s Te r t ( B re e r 9 6 - 9 ) o f t h e s ec t io n D e Cae les ti b us . w ,

i n t h e Opu s M i n u s o f hi c h o r k i t o ri g in a ll y f orm e d a p a r
, w
Cf L i t le w t . . t ,
‘
P a r t of the Opu s Te r ti u m pp v ii - viii , 1 8 ( S ee be lo No . x x . w ,
.
 R OG ER BA CON
’
S W O RKS 38 1

sc ri p tura Ib id f 68 m Trac t a t u s d e c orpo ri bus

’ ‘
. . .
,

ce le s t i b us ( fift e e nt h c e nt ury t i t le ) i n e Po s t loc orum .

d e sc ri p t i o ne m na t ura o b e di t c o gi t a t i o ni b us
‘
expt
’
.
,

Bridge s i 37 6 —40 2 ( i e Ar t ( f ) a bove )

, . . . . .

Co tt o n Tib C v , ff 49 1 1 9 ( se c x v ) Inc i pi t 4 par s

‘
— . .
“
. .

maj o ri s o pe ri s fra t ri s Ro ge ri Ba c o n i n qu a o s te ndi tur

p o t e s t as m a t h e m a t i c e i n sc i e n t i i s e t re b us m u ndi .
’

I nc Ma ni fe s t o ( s i e ) q uod mul t e
. Expl p r i n c i pale m .
’
.

s c ri p t ura m B rid ge s p 37 6
’
. .
, ,

Co tt o n Oth o D i , ff 2 0 9— 2 1 ( i nj ure d by fire ) t he s e c t ion . .

,

B rid ge s i 2 8 6 37 6 e ndi ng d e l o c i s e t
‘
Ge o gra ph i a
‘
— .
, ,

g e n t i b u s t o t i u s h a b i t a b ili s

Co tt o n Jul F V II, ff 1 7 8 —8 2 ( se c x v ) : De c lara t i o

‘
. . . .

e ffe c t u s v e re ma t he m a t i c e i n 4
“
p ar t e m a j o r i s o p e ris
fra t ris Ro ge ri Bac o n di s t i nc ti o ne 5 “
i nt e r a li a si e
d e e lar a t Ve ri mat he ma t ic i
. s c i tu s e t

lo ca p la ne t arum ( no t i d e n t i fi e d ) D e mori bus

ho mi num se c u ndum c o mp le x i o ne s c a usa t a s a e o n
s te lla t i o ni b us s up r a c e le s t i b us p ro ut a lle ga t do c t o r
Roge ru s Bac o n i n q ua rt a p a rt e ma j ori s o pe ris ut
i n fi ne c a p i t uli 4 e t i n p ri nc i pi o c a p
“
Co m .

m — m a x i me Bridge s i
j
’

p le x i o n e s loc o r u a u v e n t ute , , .

o na m u n u m e x e mp lum t am s anis
1 37 —9
‘ p ,
e t nunc

q uam i nfirm is B ridge s i 1 39—43 ,

’

,
. .

Add 8 7 86 ( se c xiv ) ff 1 2 c o nt ai ni ng c a p x v a nd
"
. .
,
. .
,

par t o f ca p x v i o f D i s t i v B r id g e.s i 1 6 — 2
7 7 , .
, ,
. .

S lo a ne 2 6 2 9 , ff 1 7—5 3 ( se c x vii ) : I nc i pi t t rac t a t us fratris

. .
‘

Ro ge ri Bac o n d e u t il i t a t e a st ro no mi e S up e ri us quide m ’ ‘
,

b e re Bridg e s i 37 7
’
d ic t urn e s t p l u r a c o n sc ri , , .

Lam b e t h Pal ace 2 0 0 ff 2 37 o mme nda De

‘
—
( se c xv )
v
, ,
. . c

t i o ne i ne Ma ni fe st o q uo d
a r t i s ma t h e m a t i c e .
‘

expl p ri nc i p a le m s c r i p t ura m
. Ex p li c i t ü b e r Io ha nnis .

( si e ) Bac o n d e c omme nda t i o ne a rt i s ma t he mat i ce

’

B ri dge s i 97 37 6 omi tt i ng t h e se c t io n
‘
,
. Co rre c t io
—
,

Ca le n d a r i i a nd pe rh a p s o t h e r p a s s age s .

Ox f o rd : B o dl : Di gb y 1 8 3 f 49 ( se c x i v . fragm ,
. .
,
.

b e gi nni ng e t v i r t ut i s a l o c o a n d e ndi ng
‘

p la ne ve l
‘

c o nc a ve B rid ge s i 1 1 1 5 6 E Musae o 1 5 5
’
no n — —
,
. . .
, ,

p . 1 8 5 ( se c xv P a r s q u a r t.a i n q u a o s t e nd i t ,
‘

o t t t m m m a le m
‘
i & expt i i
’

p e s a e a t h e a t c ae c p r nc p , .
,
.

sc ri p t ur a m La ud Mi sc 6 74 f 7 ( se c XV ) : No t a
’ ‘
— . .
,
. . .

d e c o rre c t i o ne Cale nd arii e x Ro ge ri Bac o ni s li b ro a d

I n tr o d i n A s trologi a m
’
Cf .B a le I n de x B ri t S cri pt , p 39 6
,
. . : . . I nc .

Fus i u s q u i d e m & c fu s i u s i s a mi s
,
’
. t ake fo r s up e r i u s
 APP ENDI X
Cle me n te m p a p a m ( o n e p g
a e o nl y)
— Se ld supr a 7 9 , . .

pp 4 . 2 8 4 ( s e c x v n )-
e x c e r p t s — U n i v C o ll 49 ( se c
.
, . . . .

x vi i ) ff 1 0 5 —5 0 1 6 4—7 6
,
.
,
.

Ca m b ri d ge Co r p u s Chri st i Co ll 42 6 , ii ( se c x v ) Trac t . . .

fra t r is Ro g e r i Ba c o n i n q ui nt a p a rt e m a t he ma t ica e
d e s i t u o r bi s Pos t q ua m d e c la ra t um e s t
‘
. t o c i us
h a b i t a b i l is Bridge s i 2 8 6—37 6 — Pe te rhmß e 2 7 7
’
.
, ,

( se c x v ) f 1 8 5 .
"
De u t i li t a te a r i sme t r ic e pe r Ro ge rum
,
.

Ba c o n De u t i li t a te a ri s me t r i c e p o t e s t s umi pe r i nfra
.

s c ri p t a 1u na 1 1 me rc u ri us Et sie e st hui s
° ’ °
10 .

h ui ns o pe n s Mag is t ri Ro ge ri i ba ko nis u t pat e t i n sua

s umma a d Cle me n t e m Bridge s i 2 2 4 36
’
-
.
, , .

Pa ri s : Bi b l Nat i o na le 7 45 5 A ( se c x v ) : De ut ili .
, . .
‘

t a t i b us s c i e n t iae m a t he m a t ic a e ve ra e
’
.

Wo lfe nbütt e l He rzo g l Bi bl 4 1 2 5 ( 4 1 ff 9 1 1 20 . . .

-

( se c x v ) . Ko gori Bac o n i s d c re g io ni b us a d pa pam

,

Cle me nt e m Se d ho c hac t e nus Nu nc v e ro

’
I nc . . .

i n fe ra m Expt p r i nc i p a le m sc r i p t ura m &c ( i e Cor

’ ‘ ’
. . . .
,
.

r ecti o C a l e nd a r i i a nd Geo r a hi a B ri d e s i 2 69
g p g ‚ ,
.

Es c o r ia l g iii 1 7 ( s e c xiii ) f I Pa rs q ua rt a i n q ua o s t e n
, . . .
,
.
,

d i t ur po t e s t a s ma t h e m a t ic e i n sc ie nc i i s e t re b us e t o c c upa
t io nib u s h ui ns m u n d i Ma ni fe st o q uod mult e
‘ ’ ’
I nc . .

( i nc l ud e s a lso Geogr a phi a f a nd As trolo i a f

g ,
.
, .

P RI NTE D b y Co mb a c h Fra nk furt 1 6 1 4 und e r t he t i t le : , , ,

S pec ul a mathe mati ca i n qui bus de s pec i e r um multi

p l i c a ti o ne a gi tur &c a s fa r a s B ridge s p 1 74 ,
.
, , .

(i e . a M a the mati c a e i n P hys i ci s Util i tas )

.
,
.

V . Opti cs o r De S c i e nti a P e rspec ti va

,
I nc c a p i Pro po si ti s . . .
,

ra d i c ib u s sa p i e n t i ae
’
.

( In so me MSS a nd i n t he e di t io n o f 1 6 1 4 t h is part .
, ,

Cup i e ns t e e t a lio s a p re fa c e pe rh a ps t o
‘
b e gi n s :
’

a la t e r c o p y o f t h e P e rs pe cti va a dd re s se d t o so me pe r so n ,

u n kn o w n n o t t o t he Po pe Se e B ri d ge s ii 1 n )
,
.
,
.
,
.

Di vid e d i nt o t h re e p ar t s ( 1 ) e x p la i ns t h e ge ne ral
p ri nc i ple s o f vi sio n a nd h as t e n di sti ncti o nes i ne ,
.

Pro po s i t i s ra di c ib us ( 2 ) de als wi t h dire c t v i sio n and ,

h a s t hr e e d i s ti n cti on es i n e ca p i Et quoni am ea d em . .
,

e st sc i e n t i a o pp o s i t o rum ( 3 ) de als wi t h re fle c te d and

re fr ac t e d vi si o n a n d h a s t hre e d i s ti nc ti on es i n c ca p i
,
. .
,

Hab i t o d e vi su fa c t o se c undum li ne a s re c t as .
’

MSS . Bri t Mu se um . Ro yal 7 F vi ii ( se c xi ii ) ff 47 . .

,
.

Tr a c t a t u s pe r s pe c t i v e h a be n s t re s pa r t e s p rima e st
Th e t r e a i se td e v i su e t sp ec u li s In R o y a l 7 F V II f 6 4 ( i ne De .
, . .

s p ec u l o ru m m i r a c u li s N i c hi l a b oc u lo i s n o t b y Ba co n b u t p ro ba n ,

t w
b y H e nr y o f S o u h ar k ( As s i s i M S 6 7 3 , P a r s P e r spe c ti ve i ne . P r i ma p ars .
,
.

t
p e r sp e c i v e q u e e s t d e r a di o d i r ec o s ee m s t o b e b y F ec h a m ) t .
 Erfur t : Amp lo n
393 , ( se c xi v . I nc F . ff . 1 —2 2 . .

’
Cup ie ns t e
‘
.

Prag : Bi b l P ub l e t U ni v 1 5 52 ( se c x iv ) : I nc Pro
. . . . .

Trac t a t u s pe rspe c
’
s r a d i c i b us — 1 6 0 1 ( se c x i v )
“

p o s i t i . .
,

t i v e h a b e ns t re s p art e s .
’

Flore nc e Ri c c a rdi 8 8 5 , ff 1 44—98 I nc Cupi e ns . .

t e e t a li o s
‘
Expl a li q ua l i t e r s u s t i ne re
’ ’
.
( Cf Ar ch . . . .

F ra nc Hi st iii 5 5 4 wh e re re fe re nc e i s m a d e t o a
. . .
,

fi ft e e nt h c e nt ur y c o py o f t hi s wo r k a t To le do m e nt i o ne d
-
,

i n Revi s ta de A rc hi vos Bi bli otecas M a s cos An II I n 6 , , .

, .
,

se r . i .
)
Mi la n : Ambro si a na R 47 . sup .
,
f . 6 1 ( se c . x iii ) : I nc .

P ro p o s i t i s
’
ra d ic i b u s .

Ro me : Va t i c a n
Pa la t 8 2 8 f 49 ( A D I nc .
, . . . .

Pr o p o si t i s s a p i e nt i e — V a t La t
’
ra d ic i b u s 310 2 . . .

( se c x i v ) ff 1 2 7 : I n c Hic a li q ua s u nt d ice nda

’ ‘
— . . .
.
,

—Ci V a t La t . 2 9 75 ( se c x v i ) Tra c t
.
pe rs pe c t a fr
. .
,
. . .

Ro g Bac o I nc Q uo ni am i nt e r gr adu s sa pi e nt i ae ’
. . .

Ve ni c e 5 Ma r c o La t vi , 1 33 ( V ol IV Cl xi Co d I O)
.
,
. .
,
.
, .

( se c x iv ) I n c Cup ie ns t e e t a lio s
. . .

P RI NTE D b y Co mb ach Fra nkfurt 1 6 1 4 unde r t he t i t le : , , ,

Rogeri i B a coni s A ngl i P erspecl i va I nc Cupie ns . .

t e e t a li o s
’
.

Experi me ntal S c i e n c e I nc Pos it i s ra di c i b us

‘
VI . cap i . . .
,

i t i ae
s ap e n La t i norum .
’

MSS B ri t Mu se um
. .
( ff 2 —1 6 : S lo a ne 2 6 29 se c . x vi i ) ,
.

Trac t a t us fr a t ri s Ro ge ri Ba c o n e x t ra c t us d e V P p art e .

c o mpe nd i i s t ud i i t h e o lo gie que m librum fe c i t a d

i n s t a nc i am Cle m e nt i s e t e s t t r ac t a t us d e m a t e ri a priu s
t rac t a t a e t e x t r ahi t ur d e c a pi t ul o q uo d i nt i t u la tur d e
sc i e n t i a e x p e r i m e n t a li : et si qui s ve li t ple ni ore m
ha b e re d oc tri nam e t re spo nsi o ne m a d d i fli cultat e s que
p o s s u n t i n c o n t r a r i um q u e ra t sc ri p t a p r i n c i p a li a , ,

v i z l i b r um v i s ci e n t i a rum e t li b rum que m i nt i t ula t ur

.

c o m pe ndi um s t u di i t h e o l o gi e e t i n v e ni e t &c I nc
’
. .
,

Corp ora v e r o Ad e e t E v e pos t pe c ca t um

‘
( Opus
M i n us p ex l
, p
‘
e t a li b i mu l t is m o di s
. &c . .

( Opus M aj us ii 2 0 4 ,
.

Ox ford : B o d l : Ca n Misc 334 f 5 3 . Alius t rac t at us . .

,
.
,

e j u sd e m Fra t ri s Ro ge ri e xt rac t us d e se x t a p art e

co mpe n dii s t ud i i t h e o l ogi ae i ne Co rp ora ve ro .

Th e s ame MS c o n a ins ( . t
5 o 7 2 ) T r ac tatus de ve l o ci ta te mo tuu m
fi .mc - .

O mni s r ac i o na bili s o p in i o d e v e l oc i a e ’
t wo r ea i s e s 1 ) a lgo n s m u s tt , t t
p r o po rt i o nn m , ( 2 ) d e q u i b us d am s ub ti lib u s in f e ri o ri b n s e x p r a e di c t i s .

t
I s hi s b y B a c o n o r W i lli a m d e H e y es b ury ( Cf B ru g es MS t . .
 R OG ER BA CONS W O RK S 38 5

mult i s mo di s ( ut s upra ) Bo d l 438 ff 2 9 3 1 ( s e c xv ) "— "

’
. . . .
,

Se lde n s upr a 9 4 f 2 5 6 ( se c xi v ) : E Musae o 1 5 5 , .

v
.
'

p 68 9 .
( s e c c x iv— xv
) a n d Ar c h S e l d B 3 5
. f 39 , . . .
,

( s e c x i v ) t h e sa
. m e e x t r a c t — U ni v e r si t
, y Col le ge 49 ,

f 1 5 1 ( se c x v ii )
. . .

Camb ridge : Tri ni t y Co ll e ge 1 38 9 ( s e c XV ) f .

, .

Ali us t rac t a t us e i usd e m fr Roge ri B ako n e x trac t us

‘
.

d e se xt a p ar t e &c Co rp o r a v e r o mult i s modi s

’ ‘
.
,

( Ibid 92 2 f 5 6 ( se c XV ) c o nt ai n s a n
"
( ut s upra ) . .
, . .
,

E ng li sh t r ansla t io n o f t h e s ame p a ss age ) Ib id 1 1 1 9 , . .

f 5 6 ( se c e xvi x v ii )
.
'
He re fo llo w e t h t h e fir s t p ar t
.
,

o f t he gr e a t wo r k n am e l y t he e x p e ri m e n t a l s c i e nc e o f

Ro ge r Bac o n wri tt e n t o Cle me ns ye Po pe No w t h a t .

’

I h av e for t h ye ro t e s o f t h e s c i e n c e o f k n owle d ge
se t

of t he La t i ne s i n re s pe c t o f t o u n gs E nd s u n fini sh e d
’
.
‚

f .

Ma nc he st e r Che t h a m Li b ra ry A .
5 .
24 ( se c . xv ) f 61
, .
"

Co rp o ra v e ro ut s upra .

Dou ai 6 9 1 , 5 3 ( se c x v ii ) . .

Ro me : Va t i c a n 40 9 1 ( se c ff — 6 1 c o nt ai ns c a i —V ii xvi
) 49 p .
, .
, .

( c f B ridge s iii p p x ii
. I nc Po s i t i s r a di c i b u s
, , .
, .

V I I M or a l P hi l os ophy Ma ni fe st av i i n p ra e c e d e n t i bus
‘
. I nc . .

quo d c o g nit io li ngu a ru m Si x p a rt s ( 1 ) dut y t o Go d t o .

’

ne i ghb o ur a nd t o s e l f : ( 2 ) S e c u nda p ars ‘ de sc e ndi t a d

'

le ge s e t s ta t ut a h o mi num i nt e r s e : ( 3 ) De re gi mi ne
’

homi ni s i n c omparat i o ne ad se i p sum : ( 4) c o nsi st i t ‘ ’

i n pe r sua sio ne s e c t a e fid e li s c re d e nd ae e t a man d ae e t

o pe ri b u s c o m p ro b a nd ae q u a m d e b e t h u m a n um g e n u s

o r t he gr o u nd s fo r ac c e p t i ng t h e Ch ri s t i a n re li gi o n
’
re c i p e r e ,

5 ) Q ui nt a p ars e s t d e s e c t a e ja m p e r sua sae e t pro b a t a e e x

h o r t a t i o n e a d i m p le nd n m i n o pe r e e t a d nihi l fac i e ndum
i n c o nt ra ri um e t hi c e xi gi t u r m od u s p rae d i c a t i o ni s : ( 6 )
,

S e xt a v e ro p a rs mo ra li s ph i lo so phi ae e s t d e c an si s v e nt i
la ndi s c o r am j u di c e i nt e r p a r t e s u t fi a t j u s t i t i a : s e d h a nc
so l um t a n g o p r o p t e r c au sas qu as Pa r t s ( 5 ) a n d
( 6 ) are u n kno wn ; t he de s c ri p t i o n o f t he m i s t a k e n fro m
Opus Tert c a p x iv c f a l so i b id
.
, pp 2 66 3 40.
—8 A bri e f . .
, .
, .

summ a ry of t he m i s c o nt ai ne d i n Pro fe ss or Duhe m s ’

T hi s M S V a t P a l 4 0 9 1 ff 4 9 — 8 8 c o p i e d i n a la e s i e e n h c e n u r y
. . .
,
.
, t xt t -
t
h an d e x o p e r p e rg p r e s e n s a c u r i o u s c o m bi na i o n
’
. . t
I t c o n a i n s R o g e ri t . t
Ba c h o n i s T r a c t a u s i n q u o t fit
se r m o d e e x p e r i e n ti a i n c o mmun i h a b e n s

4 d i s t i n c ti o n e s e t 1 3
h a b e 7 c ap i a
’
P a r V I o f O pu s M at u s , c a pp 1 —
7 t , t j .

t
( t h e se v e n h o n h a lo e s d i ffe rs fr o m B ri d g e s , c a p V ii ) Th e f ou r d i s i n c i o ns
, , . . t t
ar e : f 49 de e xpe r i e n ti a i n c o mmu ni
.
, f 6 2 , d e potes ta te a r ti s e t n a tu r a e .

( = N o 1 8 ) f 7 1 , d e r e ta r d a n d a s e n e ctn te ( No
. . f 8 8 , d e mi r a bi l i = . .

a rtifi ci o quod fi t pe r l api da n magne te rn ( = No .

 APP END I X
Op Tert a nd Li tt le Op T e rt ( se e be lo w ) The la st pa r t ( 6 )
. .
, , . . .

wa s ne v e r wr i tt e n : e xc us a v i me a b e x po s i t i o ne
‘
is t i us
p ar t i s D u h e m p 1 79 , . .

MS B ri t Muse um : Ro ya l 8 F ii ( se c x v ) f 1 6 7 I nc
. . . .
, . . .

‘
Ma ni fe s t a vi ( e tc ) e i n s q uo d e s t p o st se ( Bri dge s
'
.
,

ii 2 2 3—7 5 ) i t i nc lude s Pa rt s ( 1 ) a nd
. a nd ca pp i —V .

o f Pa rt

Thi s pa rt o mi tt e d by J e b b wa s fir s t p ri nt e d b y Bri d ge s ii
, , , .

2 2 3— 40 3 ( It wa s no t p ri nt e d a t Du bli n i n 1 8 60 b ut
.
,

d e s c ri be d b y Dr I ngr am i n a p a pe r p ri nt e d i n v o l viii . .

o f t he P r oc eedi n gs of the Roy al I r i s h A c ad e my ) .

11 . Tracta tus de Mu ltipli ca ti on e Spe c i erum .

A t re a is e t on th i s sub ec j tw a s se n tt o t h e P o p e i n 1 2 6 7 - 8 a p p a re n l y t
i n tw o v e r s i o ns : Op Te r t e .
g . .
,
p 227
‘
. rac a t u s d e r ad ii s ,
t t
q ue m v o b is m is i s e p a r a t i m a b O p e re Majo r i i bi d . 2 30 ,
in
t ra c ta t u d e r a d ii s
q ue m o h a n ne s e j xt ra p r i n c i p a li a o p e ra de
p o r ta v i t i b id 38 s e d c o m le t io r e m t r a c ta t u m m i
p .
, o tt v o bis

d e h a c m u lt i p li c a ti o n e i bi d 99
"
Tr a c a u s d e s p e c i e b u s e t .
, t t
v irtu t i b us a ge n t ium
q u e m d u p li c i t e r m is i v o b is e t e r i o mod o ,
t t
i nc e p i s e d n o n p o n i c o ns u mm a re t
Ei h e r a t hi s im e o r .
’
t t t
t
la e r i t fo r m e d p a r o f a la r g e r ork t
A t t h e b e g i n n i ng o f t h e w .

t r e a i se tas t
p r i n e d b y Je b b ( p 3 5 8 ) a n d B r id g es ( ii
,
. .

a re t h e o rd s : w R e c o le n d u m e s t i g i u r q u o d i n e r i a p a r e
‘
t t t t
h u ju s o p e r is t a c t u m e s t q u o d e s s e n i a s u b s a n i a n a u ra , t , t t ,
t ,

p o e s t t
as p o e n i a
,
v ir u s t t v is s ig n i c a n , e a nd e m t
re m se d , fi t ,

d i ff e ru n t s o la c o m p a r a io n e T h e r e i s n o t h i n g a bo u t hi s i n .
’
t t
t t
t h e h i r d p a r o f t h e Opu s l I aj us b u t i t i s fo u nd i n t h e C o m . ,

m u n i a N a tu r al i u m ( L i b I p a rs ii p 8 0 i n S t ee le s e d i ti o n )
’
. .
, , , ,

to w
h i c h B a c o n r e fe rs e ls e h e r e i n t h e s a m e r e a tis e ( B ri d g es i i w t ,
.

424 u t p r i u s i n Co m m u n i b u s N a tu ra li u m d e m o ns tr a tu m es t
,

w h il e i n th e Co mm u n i a N a t u r a li u m h e fr e q u e n l y re fe r s t o t h e t
D e M a l t S pec i e r u m ( e g S e e le p p 38 2 0 3 2 7 2
. . The. t , .
, , ,

t t
r e a i s e w as t
h e r e fo r e i n c l u d e d i n a ork o f hi c h t h e Co mmun i a w w
N a tur a li u m fo rm e d t h e h ir d ( o r a p o r i o n o f t h e hi r d ) p a r t t t t .

T h i s w as t h e S c r i pt u m P r i n c i pa le o r C o mpe n d i u m P hi l os ophi ae
( s e e No 3 5 b e lo ) . w .

The v er s o ns o f i o nside rab ly

t he D e M ult S pec d i ffe r . . c ,

a n d t h e t re at i s e i s di vid e d s o me t im e s i nt o si x so me ,

t ime s i nt o t e n p art s Two di st i nc t re c e nsion s are .

e xt a n t m ar k e d i n t hi s li s t ( A ) a n d ( B )
,
.

( A ) I n c prol P ost qua m h ab i t um e st d e pri nc i pii s re rum

. .

na t ura li urn I n c opus : Pr imum i gi t ur c api t ulum

.
’
.

c i r ca i nflue n t i a m a g e n t i s h a b e t t r e s v e ri t a t e s .

MSS : Bri t i sh Muse um : Ro ya l 7 F vi ii ( se c x111

. . .

I n c P ri mum i gi t ur c a pi t ul um
‘
ff 1 3 . expl
. r e ce .

p e r i t This i s f o ll.o w’
e d b a
y p a s sa g e m a r k e d v a c al w hi c h ,

B ridge s p ri nt s a t t h e e n d o f t h e t re a t i se ( pp 5 5 1 .

a n d whi c h is i ns e rt e d in MS Ro yal 7 F V ii f 109 ; . . , .

38 8 APP ENDI X
MSS . : Bri t . Muse um , Royal 7 F . v iii ,
ff . 2 —1 2 ( se c . xiii ) ,

an a mp li fie d v e rsi o n o f t he e arli e r p ar t o f t h e De M ult .

s peci erum I nc Da t o p rol ogo i st ius q ui nt e p art i s

. .

huin s v o lumi ni s quod v oc o c o mpe ndi um stud i i t he o lo gi e ,

i n quo quide m co mp re he nd o i n summa i nt e nt i one m

t o t i us 0 p e ri s e x t ra pa r t e m e jus s ig na ns om ni a i mp e di
,

me nt a t o ti us s tu dii e t re me di a nunc a c c e do ad t ra cta t um ,

e x p o ne ns e a t t he o logi e d e pe rsp e c t i v a
que ne c e ss ar a su n i
et de vi su i t i nc l ude s Di st I c app 1 5 Di st I I— .
, .
, .
,

c ap p . 1 —2 wi t h re fe r e nc e s to th e r e m ai ni ng p arts of t h e
,

t re at i se .

Rome Bi b l Ange li c a 1 0 1 7 ( se c XV ) ff 7 6—9 2

: . I nc .
,
I
. . .

[ C]onple ti s 4 p arti bus 3 li bri d e c ompe ndi o studi i

° lr ii

t he ologi e se qui t ur 4 ( s i e) p ars i stius libri que e st d e

ta

pe rspe c t iva que fund at ur i n a c t i o ni bus a ge nt ium e t

vi r t ut i bus e o rum quas i n fluunt i n mate ria m mu ndi
e t in c o ntr ari um i n s e n sum e t i n t e lle c t um h uma num e t
a nge li c um — e n di n g ap p ar e nt l y wi t h c ap i v o f Pars .

( or Di st ) II Bridge s ii 47 8 .
,
. .

12 . O pu s M i n u s wr it t e n i n 1 2 6 7 wa s b o t h a n i nt roduc t ion
, ,

a n d a s upp le me n t t o t he Opus M aj us It s ee ms t o h ave .

c on si st e d o f t he fo ll o wi ng p a r t s

i . t t
I n r o d uc i o n o r d e d ic a ory le t e r t
B ac o n d es c rib e s his i n t h e t . t
Op us Ter t , p 7 : P r im o i g i u r i n Op e r e S e c u n d o s ec u nd u m
. . t ,

t
fo rm a m e p is o la e Ma r c i T u lli i p os e x ili u m r e v o c a i
'

r e c ole n s t t ,

me jam a d e c e m a nn i s e x u la n t e m q u a n u m ad fama m s tu d i i t
q u am re tr o a c ti s e mp o ri b u s o b ti n u i t
v e s t r a m u e s a i e n ti a m
q p ,

a d mira ns se c u n d o a s su r ge n s v e s t r a e c l e me n ti a e e o r di u m , x
s e r m o n i s c ap i e n s , p o s p e d u m o s c u l a b e a t oru m s ty lum a l i u s t , t
e l e v a n d o , p ro p e r v e s t r a m c e ls i t u d i n e m t
su b bi s v e r b i s i nc e p i ,
'

p e r orare : Cu m t a n t a e r e v e re n ti a e d i gn i a s s a p i e n i a e s oa t t
t u ri e n s p le ni u d i n e ,
”
&c t
T h e in r od u c i o n h e r e fo r e b e g an . t t t
wt t
i h s o me a u o b i o g r ap hi c a l r e min i sc e n c e s T hi s a p p e a rs t o b e .

t
lo s ; b u t p e rh ap s t o i t i s t o b e r e fe rr e d t h e p as s a g e q u o e d b y t
t
An h o ny W o o d fr o m t h e Opu s M i n us : P r ae l ati e ni m e t
t
fr a r e s m e je iu nii s ma c e ra nt e s u o c u st o d i e b a nt n e e a li qn e m t t ,

a d m e v e ni r e v o lu eru n t v e ri t i n e sc ri p a m e a a lii s q u a m s um mo ,
t
p o ntifi c i e t sib i ip si s d i vu lg a re n t ur
’ 2
Th e s e c o nd p ar o f t h e . t
t
in r o d u c i o n b e g an t i h th e ord s wt
Cu m ta n ta e r e v e r e n ti ae w
&c .an d i s q u o t e d i n t h e Opus T er ti u m
, Th e frag me n d i s . t
Thi s app e ar s t o be i n a n Eng li sh h an d a n d m a y b e t h e MS hi ch . w
B a le r e f ers t o a s b e i ng a t P e e rh o u s e , Camb rid g e t
L eg es mul ti pli oa ti onu m
i ne. Exp le ti s q u a u o r p ar ib u s li bri t I n dex B r i t S cri j> t p 394 t I am . .
, . .

i nd e b e d t o Ca rd i n al G as qu e fo r a r o o gr ap h o f t h e A n g e li ca MS
t t t .

2
W o od , A n ti q Uni v 0 xon ‚ e d 1 6 7 4 p 1 38 B r o ne The Cure of
. . . .
, . . w ,

Ol d A g e , 1 68 3 q u o es t h e p as sag e ,
. t
i h t h e a l e ra i o n o f o n e or d , e v i wt t t w
d e nt ly fr o m W o o d , o n w
h o m hi s L if e o f R o g e r B a c o n
’

p r e fix e d t o The ,

Cure of Old Ag e i s b as e d T h e p as s ag e i s p r o b ab l y t o b e fo u n d s o me h e r e
, . w
i n t h e MSS o f B ri an Twy n e , h e re , h o ev e r, I h a v e sear c h e d f or i t i n v ain
. w w .
 R OG E R BA CONS W ORKS 389

b y Car d i n al Ga s qu et i n a i c a n MS 40 8 6 , a nd p ri n e d
c o v e re d
I
V t . t
i n th e E ng H i s t Rev xii r e p r e s e n s p r o b ab ly a r e v i se d a nd
. . .
, t
t
p ar i a lly e p u rg a e d e d i i o n o f hi s p a r x t
T h e e ar li e r p o r i o n t t t . t
o f i t i s a lmos i d e n i cal i h Op Te r t , pp 7 —1 2 t Th e l a e r t wt . . . . tt
t
p o r i o n i s o c c up i e d b y a b r i e f su mm ary o f t h e Opus M a us , j
t h e s c i e n c e s b e i ng r e a e d in in v e r e d o rd e r or a c c o rd in g t o t t t
t
h e i r d i g n i y , m or a l p hilo s op h y rs t fi t .

t
An a d d i i o n d e n oti ti a cae le s ti u m w as m a d e t o t h e s e c i o n o n t
t t
Ma h e m a i cs T hi s h e re s e e ms no d ou b w a s i d e n i c al i h t h e
.
, t t , t wt
t t
r e a i s e 0 11 as r o lo g y p r in e d b y B r id g e s , i 3 7 6 — t 4 0 3 , a t the e nd t .

o f Opu s 1Waj u s P ar IV , b e g i nn i n g P os lo c o ru m d e s c rip ti o ne m

, t t
( s e e a b o v e ) Th a re a i s e i s fo u nd i n t h e E s c o ri a l MS ( se c iii )
. tt t . . x
o f t h e Op u s M aj us a n d in t h e D i g b y MS ( s e c X V ) a n d h o se , . . t
c o p i e d fro m i t : n o t in t h e a i c an MS n o r i n t h e Co o n V t . tt
( Ti b C v ) B o d l E M u s aeo L amb e h a n d W o lfe nb ü e l M SS
. .
, .
, t tt .

o f P ar IV t , w
hi l e i n MS R o ya l 7 F v ii i t i s se p ar a e d f ro m t h e . . t
re s t t
o f t h e m a h e m a i c s b y t wo r e a i se s o c c u p y i ng fo u r l e a v e s t t t .

And i n t h e Opu s T er t e d Li le p 1 8 , B a c o n s a y s h a t h e . . tt , . t t
ge ogr aphi a ( d e l oc i s ta n tum) w a s i nc lu d e d i n t h e Opus M a u s j ,

t h e A s tr ol og i a ( de a l te r a ti oni bus l oc or u m e t r er u m pe r cel es ti a , & c ) .

w as in c lu d e d i n th e Opus M i nu s I t s h o u ld b e n o e d ha . t t t
th e D i g b y M S a t t h e e n d o f t h e p re c e d i ng s e c i o n ( Ge og raphi a )
. t
h as
‘
Fi n i tu r q u ar a p ars ma o r i s o p e ri s , h o ug h i t g o e s o n
’
t j t
t
d i re c l y t o t h e A s tr ol og i a .

iii P r a c i c a l a lc h e my
. t i n e n i g mat i b u s
’
, .

t
i v N o e s o n t h e c h i e f p o i n s i n Opus M a us t o
. hi c h B ac o n t j w
w
i sh ed t o c all t h e P o p e s s p e c i a l a e n i o n , b e g i n n i ng i h mo r al
’
tt t wt
p hi lo so p h y .

V T r e a i se o n t h e se v e n si ms i n h e olog i c a l s ud y
. t t t .

vi . t
Sp e c u l a i v e a l c h e m y o r D e re r u m ge nera ti one e x e le me nti s , 2
1n se r t e d in t h e s i h pecca tum xt .

vn Re me di a s tu di i
. .

t t
T h e f r ag me n e d i e d b y B r e e r , Op I ne d , p p 3 1 1 —9 0 fro m D i g b y w . . .
,

MS 2 1 8 i nc lu d e s a f e w p a g e s o f P a r i i i a l l o f i v mos o f V ,
.
, t , , t
a n d p ar of V i t .

Th e o m i ss i o n i n P a r v i ( Br e e r , p 3 7 5 ) o n t h e p ro lo ng a i o n o f t w . t
h u m an li fe ma y b e p ar l y ll e d i n fr o m Opu s M aj u s P ar V I , t fi , t
x
E e mp lu m ii ( B r i d g e s , ii h ere t h e p a ssag e E st a u e m . w t
c u r a bi t e t o cc u r s o rd fo r o rd H ow mu c h o f Opu s \ M aj u s w w .

t
w as h e re inse r e d i s d o u b fu l ; p ro b a b l y t o t h e e n d o f Ex e m t
p lu m ii :
‘
e t a li bi mu l i s m o d i s
’
( Bri d ge s , i i S e v era l t .

t
M S S q u o e t h e p ass a g e b e g i n n i ng Co rp o ra v e ro A d ae e t E v ae
.

( Op M i n p . a n d e nd i ng
‘
. e t a li bi m ul i s m o d i s
.
’
( Op t .

M a us i i j T h e su b s a n c e o f s o me o f t h e lo s
, .
p ar o f t t t
t h e D e rer u m g e n i s c o n a i n e d i n Li be ll us d e re ta r d a n di s 616 0 i ? . t '

d en ti bu s se nec tu ti s Cf a lso t h e B re ve brevi a ri um b e lo . . w .

G asqu e t thi
fra g m e n t o b e a c o mp l e e i n ro d uc i o n t o t h e
c o n s i d e rs s t t t t
t
Opu s M aj us , d i s in c fro m t h e Opus M i nu s t
Thi s ma y b e s o , b u t I i n c li n e .

t
t o h i n k i t i s p ar o f t h e Opu s M i n u s tNo f ur h e r li gh i s h r o n o n . t t t w
t t t
hi s p o i n b y t h e p ar s o f t h e Opus Te rti u m e di e d b y P ro fesso r D uh e m a n d t
my s e lf ( s ee N o 1 3 b e lo ) . w .

2
B e g i nn i ng H i c a u e m v ole ns p o ne re r ad i c a le m g e ne rat i o ne m t ’
.

w
B re e r Op I ne d , p 35 9
, . . . .

3
S e e abo v e N o 1 0 ( B ), v . .

C C Z
390 APP ENDI X
MSS . Rom e : Vat i c a n 40 86 , ff .
75
—8 2
( se c xiv ) ; Part i : .

Sa nc t i ss i mo p a t ri Domi no
c Cl e me nt i Cum t a nt e
re v e re nt i e di g ni t as
’
.

Pa ri s : Bi bl Na t No uv Ac q La t 1 7 1 5 c ont ai ns t he . . . .

sa me le tt e r a s t h e Va t i c a n MS .

Ox ford : Bo d l Di g b y 2 1 8 ( se c xiv ) f 5 7 i mpe r fe c t : . .

,
.
,

c o nt ain s mo s t o f t h e w o r k t he s i xt h pa rt o n s pe e n ,

lat i ve a lc he my be gi ns o n f 6 5 : t i t le i n la te r ha nd ,
.
,

De re rum ge ne ra t io ni bus : i ne Hic a ut e m vole ns

‘ ‘
.

m m re ru m — Co r p us Chr
’

p o n e re r a di c a le g e ne ra t i o n e . .

Co ll 2 5 5 ( se c c Xv i—X vii ) De re rum ge ne ra t io ni b us

’
. . .
,

( For MSS o f Pa r t ii De Ca elesti bus se e No 1 0 Opus .

, ,
.
,

M aj us Pa rt IV ) ,
.

P RINTE D : Pa rt i i n Eng Hi st Rev xii 494 Part ii 111 ,

. . .
,
. .
,

Bridge s Opus M aj us i 37 6 —40 3 ,

Part s iii —v i ( i ncom ,
. .

p l e t e ) in B r e w e r Ro
g B a c
,
o n O per a i n t 1 —
ed i a p p 3 3 8 9 ,
.
,
. .

Ci Hod y De B i bl i or um Texl i bus Ox o n 1 7 0 5 pp 41 9 2 8

.
, ,
.
, ,
.
-

( e xt ra c t s ) .

S ummary i n Duhe m Opus Tert ,

.
, pp . 1 79—8 1 . Li tt le ,

Opus Tert .
, pp 7 7 .

13 . Opus Ter t ium wri tt e n i n 1 2 6 7 —8 wa s li k e t he Opus , , ,

M i n us ,

bo t h a n i nt rod uc t i o n a nd a s upp le me n t t o t h e Opus M aj us .

As e d i ed t b y B re w
7 5 c h a p e rs ( b u t t h e di v is i o ns o f
er it c o n a i ns t t
t
c h a p e r s ar e g i v e n i n t h e M SS 111 a m od e rn h an d ) Cha p e rs . . t
1 —2 1 d e a l wt
i h B a c o n s g ra i u d e t o t h e P o pe his d i fli cu lti es
’
tt , ,

t
t h e re la i v e i mp o rt a n c e o f s c i e nce s a n d h e ir re la i o ns t o eac h t t
o her t wt
i h s p e c i a l r e fe re nc e t o t h e Op us M m us W i h c ha p t er 2 2
, . t
b e g i ns t h e c o mme n a ry o n t h e Opu s M a us w hi c h inc l u d es a t j ,

lo n g d i gr e s s i o n o n v ac u um m o i o n a nd s p ac e ca p p lii —lii Th e , t , . x .

r e m ai n d e r o f t h e o r k d e a ls i t h th e u ili y o f ma h e ma i cs w w t t t t
t
i n r e la i o n t o se c u la r a n d s a c re d s u b e c s , as r ea e d in P ar I V j t t t t
Op u s M ayu s
of . .

t
He re t h e r e a i s e as e d i e d b y B r e e r e nd s 3
t P r o fesso r D a b e m t w .

re c e n l y d i s c o v e r e d t
mo s o f t h e r e m a i nd e r o f t h e or k i n t w
a M S a t P ar i s ( B i b l N a t , L a t 1 0 2 6 4 sec x v
.
) und e r t h e n ame . . .
,
.
,

o f A lp e r ag i u s o r Al B i t1 0 i :
g t
L i be r te r ti us A lpe tr ag i i I n quo .

T hi s M S ( t r an sc r i p s o f B r i a n T w yn e ) a ls o c o n ai ns
. t e ce rp a e x t ‘
x t
l i b r o a d Cle m IV d e p e c c a ti s t h eo log o r um i e fr o m Opu s M i n us
’
. . . .
,

Tri n Co ll , Ca m b ri d g e M S 1 36 3
. .
1 —3" ( se c X V ) fo rm e r l y b e lo ngi n g
, .
, .
,

t o D r D e e c o n a in s a p ass a ge
.
, t
hi c h I h a v e fa ile d t o fi n d i t m a y be l o n g w
t o Opus M i n u s B ac o n i n E p i s o la a d Cl e me nt e m p ap am c a p i
.
’
I nc t . . .

‘
S e c u n d um q u o d s u n c le me n a s i c s u n t
q u a u o r co rp o r a q u omm t t t
t
q u o d li b e c o mp o ni t ur e x c l e m e n i s s ed e x u no p e r d o mi ni um E xpl Et t .
’
.

t t
q u an o m a g i s i s e o r d o i t e r e tu r a n o mag i s a u gm e nt a t u r su a c la ri as e t t t t
t
v ir u s E xpl tres me di ci n e l api di s )
. .
( B u t c f n o e to T rac t de e rr or i bus . t .

me di c or u m No 2 8 b e l o ) , .
, w .

3
Th e r e 15 n o an a ly si s o f t h e l a e r se c i o n s o f Op M aj p
ar i v i e o f th e t t . .

t ,
. .

t
s e c i on s o n
g e o grap h y and as r o lo g y , n o r o f p ar s V , V i vii t t ,
.
 APP ENDI X
ca p i t ul um e xt rac t um d e quo d am o pe re quod fe c i t ide m fr .

Ro ge rus Bac u n d e o rd mi no ru m a d ma nd a t um p a pe e t .

v a le t a d e xpo s i t io ne m d i c t o ru m e t d ice nd o rum i n t e x t u .

S e qui t ur d e sc ie nt i a e x pe rime nta li s ic ut a ve s

i nvi sc a ta s ( D u he m p p 1
’

3 7
— 8 1 4 8 5 7 1 L i tt l e , .
,
—
,

De i nde c ogi t a v i o pus

‘
p p 43 .
( b) f e t s ic
.

te rm 1na t ur i nt e nt io o pe ri s ut ri usq ue e t s ic e x pli c i t

’

D h m —8 1 ; Li tt le ff 8 — I t m ‘

( ( )
f f
u e pp 7 9
1 , p p 77 . c 9 e , . .
‚

a li ud c a p e i us d e m fr Ro ge ri B ac u n d e o rd mi n d e
. . . .

p o t e s t a t e v e r bi e xt rac t um d e p ri ma p art e ma i o ri s

o pe ri s ( si e) De i nde comparo li ngua ru m uti lita te m

.

divi ne o pe rat io nis ( Bre w e r Op Tert ca p xx vi ’

, . .
,
.
,

pp 9 .
5 1 0 0 ) —
( d ) ff 1 1
"
P o s t h e c s e q u i t u r o pe ra t i o .
‘

ma t he ma t ic e v e ni n nt Ch ri s t i a ni ( Li t t le p p 1 ,
.

—
Co rp us Ch r Co ll 1 49 ( se c XV ) ap pe a rs t o c o nt ai n t he . . .

s ame a s Ta nne r 1 1 6 — U niv Co ll

49 ( se c . . .

co py o f B o d l E Musae o . .

Cam b ridge : U ni v Li b r Ff i v ,
1 2 ( A D 1 5 28 f 31 8 e t
. . . . . .

De t e rmi na t a q ua rt a pa rt e c o nv i nc e re frau d u
‘
se q : .

le nt um ( Du he m p p 1 7 8 —9 0 Li tt le p p 7 5 — Tri n
, .
, . .

Co ll 1 0 36 , ff 2 1 4 ( se c XV ) c o nt ai ns mo s t o f t h e firs t
.
— '
. .
,

se c t i o n ( a ) i n Ta nne r 1 1 6 be gi nni ng It e m ca pi t ulum ,

e xt rac t um e ndi ng i n c o mp le t e
’ ‘ ’
c o ns i s t i t i n d uo b us
, ,

D h m —8 1 8 — 2 Li tt le — Ibid 1 2
( u e p p 37
1 ,4 5 p p 43
.
94 ‚ , . .

X ii t i t f T b C — Fi t zwi lli am Muse um

( s e c v .
) r a ns c r p o ,i v . . .
,

Mc Cle a n 1 5 3 ( se c XV ) c o nt ai ns t h e sa me e xt ra c t s a s .

Ta nne r 1 1 6 fro m whi c h i t i s a pp are nt l y c o pi e d

, .

Wi nche st e r Colle ge 39 ( se c x v ) ff 1 8 3—98 : i ne Po st .

, . .

h e c s e qui t ur o pe rat i o m a t he ma t i c e ( Li tt le s e di t ion o f

’

Opus Tert b ut c a ll e d i n t h e MS se c u ndum o p us

‘
. .
,

fr atri s Roge ri Bac o n ff 1 99—2 0 6 Opus Tert a fra g .

,
.

me nt be gi nning Sanct issimo an d e ndi ng de his

‘ ’

r adi c i b us c o rre s po ndi ng t o Bre we r p p 3—38 , . .

Do uai 6 9 1 ( se c X vii ) Bre we r want ing c a pp 38 —5 2 . t hi s , ,

.

MS has be e n de scri b e d b y Vi c to r Cou sin ournal des

.
,

S a vants for 1 8 48 ( five arti c l e s ) .

P aris Bi bl Na t La t 1 0 2 6 4 ( se c XV ) ff 1 8 6—2 2 6
. .
,
. .
, .
,

Post quam m a ni fe st a vi mathe ma t i c e p o t e st a t e m

‘
I nc .

a s pi ravi Duh e m) Ib id 2 598 ( se c XV ) ff 48 5 6

— ‘— "
= . . .
.
,

( pp
c a xli —li
.
pp 1 2
4 9
— 8 o f B re we r s e diti o n ) i n e
, .
,
’

, .

Q uoni am c irc a t e mpus e t e vum .

’

Es cori a l g III, 1 7 ( se c xiii ); ff 8 0 —97 s e e ms t o c o nt a i n

, . . .
,

Br e w e r p p 7 4—9 1 2 0 — 35 2 95
,
— 10
3
.
, , .

Cf .Co rp Ch r Co ll O fo rd 2 6 0 ( B ry a n T wy n e ) p 1 0 1
. . .
, E c erp x , ,
.
,
x ta
X p r e amb u l o R o g e ri B ac o n ad o p u s s u u m m a u s e t m in u s a d Cle m IV j . .
’
 R OG ER BA CON S W ORKS 393

P RI NTE D , 5 i n Opera I n edi ta ( R

capp ed. Bre we r ,
1- 7 . .

The la tt e r pa rt i n Un f ragmen t i n edi t d e

’
— 10
pp 3 3 . .

l 0 pus Terti um d e Roger B acon precede d un e étud e s ur

’ ’

ce f r agmen t pa r P i err e Duhem ( Quaracc hi a nd i n ,

P a rt of the Opus T erti um of Roger Bacon b y A G Little , . .

( Bri t Soc Fra nc isca n S t udi e s iv

. .
, ,

14 . Tractatus expo si to ri us enig ma turn alc hem iae .

B ac o n t
t o Cle me n I V fo u r r e a i s e s o n h is s ub e c : two
se n t t t t j t
w e r e i ns e r e d in t h e O u s M i n u s , a
p t hi r d w as s e n s e p ara e ly t t t
b y t h e b an d o f Jo hn a n d i s u nk n o n Th e fo u r h w as rs , w . t fi t
d i s co v e r e d b y P r o fes s o r D u h e m a p p e n d ed t o th e Opu s Ter ti u m .

I t c o n s is t s o f hr e e c h ap e r s : t
D e e ni g ma ti bu s A lki mi e , D e t
e xpos i ti on e e n i g ma tu m A l h i mi e , D e c l a vi bu s al ki mi e .

MSS . Pa ri s : Bi bl Nat . . 1 0 2 64, f . 222 ( se c . XV ) i ne .

Quo ni am ve ro no n e xpre ssi — ex l

p . con vi nce re frau
d ule nt um
Ca m bri dge : U niv Li b r Ff i v , 1 2 , f 3 1 0 ( A D 1 5 2 8 . . . . . .

De t e rmi na t a quart a p a rt e phil o sophi e mo ra li s

‘
i ne .

ad di di de q ui nt a c o nvi nc e re fraud ul e ntum

‘
—e
p .

( D uh e m p p 1 8
7 9
— 0 Li tt l e pp 7 5 , .
,
.

Wi nche st e r Co lle ge 39 , f 1 96 ( sec XV ) . . .

P RINTE D i n Duh e m s Op T ert pp 1 8 1 —90 : Little ’

. .
, .
,

Op Tert p p 7 9—8 9 . .
,
. .

15 . Tr ea tise on As tr o l og i ca l J udgem en ts .

A s e p a ra e t t re a ti se o n t hi u bj tw s s ec as s e n tt o t h e P op e Et s i .

v u lt i s c o p i osiu s v id ju b t i j
e re , ea s o h a nn i u t f a c i a t sc rib i d e
t t
_

bo na li p le n i o r e m q u e m h ab e
e ra t r a c t a tu m
p ro v o b i s
. . w
Op Te r t ( B r e e r ) p 2 7 0 ; c f Op M a u s ( B r id g e s ), i 39 3 , . . . j . .

T hi s d o e s n o t ap p e a r t o b e e a n a p as s a g e b e lo n g in g t o xt t
i t m a y b e p re se rv e d i n t h e D e l a u di bu s M a the ma ti cae ( se e b e lo , w
No .

Co mp a r e a ls o P roce ss u s f r a tr i s Rog eri B a con d e i np enc i on e

c og i ta c i on i s
’

( as ro lo g i c a l fr a g m e n ) I n c
‘
t
No a n d um q u o d t . . t
j
in o mn i u d i c i o q u at uo r s u n i n q u i r e n d a sc i l n a u r a p la n e e
’
t , . t t .

M S B o d l : D i gb y 7 2
. .
5 (
0 s e c c x i v —x v
) P r o b a b ly a n . .

x
e t ra c t
fro m o n e o f B a co n s l ar g e r o rk s
’
w .

16 .De laudi bus ma th ema ti ca e A di ffe re nt re c e nsio n o f matte r .

whi c h o c c ur s fo r th e mo st p art word for word i n Opus

, ,

M d j us Part IV ,
.

MSS Bri t Muse um : Ro yal 7 F vn , ff 7 2—7 ( se c xiii

. . . . .

The c o nt e nt s are ( i ) Pre fac e i nc Po s t han‘ c sc ie n , .

t i am e xpe ri me nt ale m ( ii ) B ridge s p 1 7 5 Et c um , .

,

mult i s mo di s ; t o p 1 8 0 quali t ati bus a ppli c at i ;

’ ‘ ’
.
,

(‘i ii ) A ft e r a sh o r t c o nn e c t i ng li nk Bridge s p 2 39 , , .
,

ide o v o lo i n prae se nt i ; to p 2 45 ce rti ficare i n

’ ‘
.
,

om ni bus ( i v ) A p a ssage o n t he unc e rt ai nt y o f

a s t ro l ogi c al j udge me nt s b e gi nni ng f 7 3 i e t s i [c ]
V
.
, ,
 a st rologi p ro mi t tunt s e oe r t ific are no n e st e i s c re de n

d um e ndi ng f 7 6 ii , qua s V i d e m us i n so mpuis e x "

’
.
,

illa c o nti ngunt , not found i n Opus M ajus b ut po ssi bly ’

c o nne c t e d wi t h t h e s e p ara t e wo rk me nt i o ne d in Opus

Tert Bre we r , p 2 7 0 , a nd i n Opus M aj us Bridg e s
.
,
.
,

i 393 ( v ) Bridge s p 2 46 Hi s i gi t ur e t huius mod i

.
,
.
,

to p 2 5 3 V e ri tati c o ntra d ic i t
‘
.
, ( v i‘) A ft e r a short
c o nne c t i ng li nk Bri dge s p p 1 8 0 —1 una e s t no t i t i a
, ,
.
,

c a e le st i um a s t ro no mi q uo d t o t a t e rra
’
s c i u nt .

Ends i nc om ple t e l y I t i s n o t c le ar t o w ha t sc h e m e .

t hi s w o rk be lo ngs In t he Grey F ri a rs i n Oxf ord p 2 0 3 .

, .
,

i t was sugge st e d t hat it may have be e n me ant as

a p re fac e t o v o l ii o f t he Compend i um P hi lo sophi a e ; .

but i n t h at s che me ph ysi c s fo llo w ma t he ma t i c s a nd ,

no t v i c e v e rs a ( Se e Mr Gi lso n s c at alo gu e o f t he
’
. .

Ro yal MSS ) .

Ox fo rd B o dl Di gb y 2 1 8 , ff 98 1 0 3 ( se c xiii e x xi v )
— lr
.
— . . . .

I nc Pos t h anc s c i e n t i am
. e xpt
‘
q uod t o t a t e rr a .

1 7a . De specu lis co mburentibus . I nc . EX c o nc a vi s s pe c uli s a d

sole m
p os it i s i gni s a c ce ndi t ur : d e dist a nt i a c om
’ ‘
ex t
p .

bu sti o ni s nihi l c e rt um s c io a d pr ae se ns
MSS Bri t Muse um A dd 8 7 8 6 , ff 49—6 1 ( se c xiv )
. . . . . .

Oxford : B o dl 8 7 4 , pp 7 1 —9 5 ( se c XV ) — A shm ole 440 . . . .

( se c xvi ) . .

Flore nc e Ri cc ardi 8 8 5 , f 2 0 0 ( se c xi v ) . . .

P RINTE D at Frankfur t 1 6 1 4 i n Co mbac h s Specula , ,

’

M athernati ca pp 1 68—2 0 4 , . .

The re is som e c o nne xio n be t we e n t he De specu lis 0 0 m

bur enti bus a n d t wo o t h er wo rk s Libe r de visu and ,

Liber de speculi s so me t i me s a scribe d t o Bac o n , .

MSS Mi lan Ambrosi a na R 47 ( se c xiii ) f 1 33 Li ber

. . .
,
.
.

d e vi s u B acon i s t e n c ha p t e rs : i n e Suppo na t ur a b , .

oculo e duc t as li ne a s re ct as expl vi d e b it ur i ll ud n o n .

la t um re trorsum fe rri
Milan Ambro si ana R 47 ( se c xiii ) f 1 5 0 Li ber d e . .
, .
,

speculi s t hirt y four ch ap t e rs : i n e Vi su[m ] re ctum

,
-
.

e sse expt e x c o nc a vi s spe c uli s a d s o le m po si ti s igni s

.

a cce ndi tur Exp li c it üb er Euclidi s de spe c uli s

.

Ro e Vati ca n 3 1 0 2 ( se c xiv
m V—
ff 35 48 [P erspecti va . .

Vi taloni s] : i ne Supo na tur ab o c ul o e d uc t a s li ne a s .

re c t as ’
Exp li ci t p e rspe c t iva V it alo ni s
.

Rome Vati can 3 1 0 2 ( se c xiv ff 48—5 1 Tractatus de . .

,

specul i s B acho ni i I n c Vi sum re c t um e st c uiu s me di a

‘
. .

f oll owe d by f 5 2 In p la ni s sp e culi s re i vi se .

,

Flore nc e Bi bl Naz Conve nt i S oppre ssi I IV 2 9 , . .

‚ , . .
3 96 APP ENDI X
Ro me Va t ic a n 40 9 1 ,
f 6 2 ( e x t rac t s )
. .

Ci Vi e nna Bi bl P a l
. . 1 1 3 1 4 ( se c x v i ) f 7 5
. Trac t at u s .
, .
,

Ro ge rii Bac h o ni s d e se c re t i ss i mis na t urae mi st e ri i s

s u p e rc o e le s t i s

P RI NTE D at P a ri s ,
1 5 42 ; Ox fo rd ,
1 5 94 ; Hamb urg ,

i n Ze t zne r s Theatrum Chemi cum 1 65 9 ;

’
1 618 ; ,

Ma nge t s Thes a urus i 6 1 6 a nd b y Bre we r

’
.
,

i n Rog B a con Opera I n ed . App I Fre nc h t ra nsla .

, . .

t i o ns 1 5 5 7 1 6 2 9 Engli sh t ranslatio ns 1 5 97 1 65 9
, , , , .

19 . Ex c erpta de li bro Avi c e nnae De a nirna per fra tr ern Rog erum
I nc I n i lli ns no mi ne qui m a j o r e s t
’
Bac o n . . .

MS B o d l Ashmo le 1 46 7 , ff 1 —30 ( se c xvi )

. . . . .

P RI NTED a t Fra nkfu rt 1 6 0 3 u nde r t he t itle S an i ori s , ,

medi ci n ae magi str i D Rogeri B a con i s a ngli de a rte .

c hym i a e s cri pta &c pp 1 7

—8 6 re pri n t e d 1 620 ,
.
, .
, ,

u nd er t he t i t le Thes a urus Chern i c us &c , .

Cf . G la sg ow : t
H u n e r i a n Mu se u m MS 2 5 3 ( se c f 1, ,
. . xiii .

A vi c e n n a D e a n i m a : i ne E x p lan a b o t ib i
2 8' L i be r
f . .

e xpos i tor i u s pre c e d e n ti s l i br i A vi ce nn e I n spe c tor d i c tu s Rog e r i

tt
B a c on ( i le in mu c h l a e r h a n d ) i ne pr ol I n no mi n e D o mi n i t . .

xt t
d i i i ns p e c o r i n h o c li b r o p r o p e r m a g n u m s u d i u m l e g e nd i t t
q u o d h a b u i i n h o c li b r o c o g i a v i q u o d r e d u ce r e m d iffi c i li o r a a d t
m e mo r i a m e t a c u e r e m se n s u m me u m ’
I n c op u s , f In . . .

n o m i n e D o m in i h e c e s t p ri m a c la v i s q u e t ra c ta t d e ca l c e q u e
fit p o s p t
r i m a m a bl u t i o n e m
’
E xp l ,
f 4 2 1
p l u m b o a l co fo li e t . . .
,

p l u mb o a l c a l i e t m a g n u m T hi s M S f o r m e r l y b e lo ng ed t o
’
. .

. t
S t Au g u s i ne s Ca n e r b ury ( No 1 5 44 i n ] a m e s s Ca a lo g u e )
’

, t .
’
t
a n d t o Jo h n D e e ( fr o m i n fo rm a i o n ki nd l y s u pp li e d b y Mr t .

L G a lb ra i h Kee p e r o f H u n e r i a n B oo ks )
. t , t .

20 .Bre ve bre vi arium , o r De na turis m e ta llorum i n ratione al k i

mi ca e t artifi c iali trans forma ti one , o r Ca e lestis alchymi a ,
or De n atur i s m e tal lorum e t i pso rum transmuta ti o n e , o r

Bre vi lo qui urn alk irnia e I

Ad dr e s se d t o Ra ymun d Gaufr e d i ( ? .

I nc B reve b re v i arium b re vi te r abb re vi a t um sufii ci t in t e l

.

li g e nt i
’
.

MSS Bri t Muse um

. Sl oane 2 7 6 , f 4 ( se c XV ) I nc
. . . . .

Ars alki mi e d uo pri nc i pa li t e r c o nsi d e rat ( two p ar ts de ,

mi n erali bus de vegetabi li bus et sensi bi li bus) , .

It se e ms t o c o ns i s t of tw o p ri n c ip a l an d t w o su b s i d iary p ar s : ( 1 ) In ro t t
d u c t o r y— sp e c u l a ti ve : i nc D e composi ti on e me tall oru m
. I n c i p i am u s .

e rgo g e n e ra ti o n e m m e t a ll o rum o s e n d e r e ( 2 ) P r a c t i ca l : I n c i pi t li be r t .
’

N o n q u i d e m n e c e ss ari u m
‘
s e c u n d u s d e P r a cti c a . D e con s i d er a ho ne .

A l c hy rn i ae e t a ur i propri e ta te Ar s e r g o Al c h e mi a e d u o p ri n c ip ali t e r
‘
.

c o nsi d e r at . Thi s d ea l s i h m e a ls ( 3) Tr ac ta tu s de vege tabi li bus’ wt t .

e t s e n s i bi li bu s : x t
E e c u o b r e vi t e r t rac ta t u d e sp ir i ti b u s mi ne ra li b u s .

( 4 ) I n ci pi t d e S a li bu s : E x e c u ti s i gi u r d u a b u s p rin c i p alib u s p ar i b u s
’
t t .

E xpl . m o rib u s e t s t u d ii s li b e ra li b u s a d p le num e ru d i i Cf t h e re a is es t .

’
. t t
on al ch e m
y i n Opus ll i n u s
’
. .
 R OG E R BA CON S W ORKS
’

397

Oxfo rd B odl 6 0 7 , f 6 3 ( se c XV
: a no n . E Musae o . . .

1 5 5 ( se c XV ) p 5 1 3 Di gb y 1 1 9 ff 6 4—7 7 ( se c xiv )
.
, .
, . . .

Camb ridge U niv Li brary Kk V i 30 , ff 8 7—1 0 3 ( se c c XV . . . .

,

Xvi ) — Go nvi ll e a nd Ca i us Co ll 1 8 1 8 —2 0 8 se c XV
)
.
pp 1 9 ( . . . .

Pari s Bibl Nat 1 40 0 7 ( se c XV ) f 1 i ne Ar s alki mi ca

. . .
, . . .
’

Wolfe nbütt e l 3 0 76 ( sec XV ) ff 1 2 5—47 .

, . .

Flo re nce Bi b l Naz MSS S t rozzi or Magli ahe cch1 . .

‚
.

Ars al chimi e
‘
Cl x vi . n o 7 7 ( se c Xvi ) I nc . . . .

— Ib id XV 6 8 ( se c Xv i ) s e e ms t o co nt ai n
(3 2 . .

e xt rac t s — Ri cc ard i 8 47 , Li b e r d e Alc hi mi a i nc Ars .

p ri nc i p a lit e r d uo c ont i ne t
’
.

Rome Mi ne rva A V 9 , ff 8 9— 1 1 3 . . .

P RI NTED, 1 6 0 3 i n S ani ori s M edi ci nae &c p p 95—2 63

, , .
, . .

21 . V erburn a bbre vi a tu m de Leo n e viri di ( o n mi ne rals the c om ,

p osi t i o n o f t he s t o ne , a nd p re para t i o n o f me r c ury a su mmar y

b y R a ym u nd Gaufr e di ) I nc V e rb urn a b bre vi a tum . .

v e ri s s i mum e t ap p ro b a t um d e o cc ul t i s
’
.

MSS Bri t Mu se um : Sl oa ne 6 92 ff 46 5 1 ( se c XV ) : In
. .
— v ‘
, . .

n o mi ne Domi ni no s t ri J e s u Chr i s t i i nc i it t rac t a t us

p
fra t ri s Ra yrnu ndi o r d fr mi n e t e orum mi ni st ri ge ne ralis . . .

p r i m o c o m p il at u s a b e r
g ge i o doc t ore Roge ro Bac o n .

V e rb urn a bb re vi a tum I s tud v e r o ve rb um a bb r e .

v i a tum a b e g re gi o d oc t or e n os t ro Ro ge ro Ba c o n c uj us ,

a ni me p ro p i t i e t ur De us p ri mo e s t d e c la ra t um d e i nd e , ,

e go f r Ra ymun d us Gaufr e d i o rd fr mi n mi ni s t ri
. . . .

g e ne ra li s ve rb um b r e v ius e xp la nat e fili i s phi lo

so p hi e c uravi In Chri s t i igi t ur nomi ne Re c i p e a c e t um .

fo rt i ssi mum
’
Fo llowe d o n f 1 0 2 b y fina lis c on clusio . .

Rog e r i Ba cun I nc S ume a rge ntum vi vum —Slo ane ’

. . .

2 8 8 f 1 6 7 ( se c X v i ) ,
Sloane 1 8 42 , ff 32— 6 ( se c Xvii )
. . . .

S t o we 1 0 7 0 , f 2 2 ( e c Xvi )
" s . . .

Ox fo rd B o l d D ig y 1 1 9 f 7 7 ( se c xiv
b V
Ab e gr e gi o
.
, . .

do c t ore nost ro R Bac on pri mo d e c lara tum Ashmo le ’

. .

1 4 5 0 , ff 2 8— 32
( se c XV ) — Cf C o
. rp Ch r C o ll 2 77 . . . . .

XV ) ( se c .
”

Pari s Bi bl Nat 1 90 70 f 49 ( se c Xvi ) . .

,
. . .

Wo lfe nbütt e l : He rzog] Bi bl 468 ( sec XV ) . . .

, ff . 2 1 4— 1 6
0 6
3 7 ( s e c XV ) ff 1 —
47 9 .
,
. .

V ti n P l L t 4 9 L i b f t i R g ii d n tu i
a ca a . a . 0 2, er ra r s 0 er e a r s me t a llorum
see ms t o b e t h e Li be ll u s ( or S e mi ta rec ta ) A l c he mi a e a sc rib e d t o Alb .

Ma g n u s O m ni s sap i e n t i a ( Cf MS Co rp Ch r Co ll Oxfo rd 1 8 5
’
: i ne . . . . . . .
, , ,

ht
f 48
. .

C a a i n s al c h e m i c a l re c e i p s , f 1 6 , R e c e p a e x R a y mun d o e t R i c a rd o t . t
F urn i v a l le d e s u mp t a : I s t u d v e r b um h a b u i p re d i c t u s R a y m u n d u s t
a fr R o g e r o B a c o u n a n g li c e
. f 20 , B ac o nn s c o m e d i t Ma r y n
’
i h . t , wt
t
la e r n o e t
Q u id am v o lu nt h a e c e sse fra t ri s H e li e
’
.
 APP ENDI X
Flore nc e Ri c c ardi 8 47 ( ff 3 I V
se c . XV ) , .

Ro me Mi ne rva A V 9 .
,
ff 8
.
9
—1 1
3 .

P RINTE D i n S ani ori s M edi ci n a e &c 1 6 0 3 pp ,

.
, , . 2 6 4- 8 5 .

T h p i n t d d i ti n n d m t
e r e e o a os of th e MS S ( e g . . . the e a r ly D ig b y 1 1 9 )
h th f ll w i g n t
av e e E p li c i
o v e r b um
o n o e x t a b b r e via t u m

ma i o r is o p e r is fr R e ymu n d i G a u fre d i mi n is r i o rd f r min o r um

.
,
t . .
,

q u o d q u i d e m v e r b u m h a b u i a f ra r e R o g e ro B ac o n a ng li c o t t ,

t
q u i f u i d e o r d i n e fr a r u m mi no ru m Et i p s e Rog e ru s p r op t e r t .

is tu d o p u s e x p ra e c e p to d i c t i Re ym u n d i a f ra t r ib u s e i us d e m
o r d in i s e r a c a p us e t im p ri so n a tu s t t
S e d R e y mu nd u s ex s o lv i t .

R o g e ru m a c ar c e re q u i a d o c u i t e o m i s t u d O p u s E t i p se R o g e r us .

e ra t
d is c i p u lu s fr a t r is A l be r i
’
A F r e n c h r a n s la i o n o f hi s t . t t t
t
n o e o c c u r s a t t h e e nd o f a t r e a i s e e n i l e d L e T e s ta me n t d e s t tt
n o bl e s p hi l ozop he s ( i nc L a d is inc io n d e s s e c ré s d e s s a g es . t t
p hi 10 2 0 p h e s s u r l a r es e c e ll e n e p i e rr e d e s p hi lo zo p h es ) i n t x t ’

M S B ib l d e l A1 5 e na l P a r i s , 2 8 7 2 ,
’

4 0 1 1 5 ( se c
-
. . .
,

22 . Trac ta tus tr i um m or Epis to lae tr es ad J o han verbo ru ,

n em P ar i si ensem n ame l y ( i ) De se p a ra t i o ne i g ni s a b ol e o ,

( ii ) De modo mi sc e nd i ( iii ) De po nd e rib us I nc i

‘ ‘ ’
.
.
,

Cum e go Ro ge rus ro g a t us a p l uri b us I nc ii Cum

‘ ’ ‘
. .
,

p ro mi si t i bi mi tt e re d ua s c e d ul a s I nc iii Cum d e
’ ‘
. .
,

p o n d e r ib u s u di st i nc t io t i li s si t .
’

MSS Bri t Mu se um Co tt Jul D v ( se c c x iii e x —xiv

. . . . . .
, .
,

ff 1 5 2—8 1 6 0 . H a rl 3 5 2 8 f S lo a ne 1 7 54
, .
,
.
,

ff 6 2 7 4 ( se c xiv )
. Me ndac ium pri mum se c undum e t
-
.
, ,

t e rt i um Slo ane 2 32 7 ( se c XV ) ff 2 5 6 ( Epp i ii )

.
’
.
, .
-
.
, ,

f 35 ( Ep iii fra gm e n t )
. .
, .

Oxfo rd B o dl Di gb y 1 1 9 f 8 2 ( se c xiv Ashmole .

, . .
,

14 61 ff 4 2 —
5 1 ( se c XV ),
1 433 p p 1 —
7 2.
( se c Xv i ) .
, , . .
,

1 448 pp —
1 2 5 ( se c XV ) —
,Co rp Chr Co ll 1 2 5 f 8 4.
"
. . . . .
,
.

( Ep i o n l y ) . .

Cam b ridge U niv Li b P i iv 1 2 ff 2 7 0 —94 ( se c Xvi ) . .

, . .
, . . .

B olog na Bi b l U ni v 2 7 0 ( se c c XV Xvi ) p 8 1 Ro ge ri i . . .
, ,
.

Ba ko ni s Opus I nc Cum e go Ro ge ri us auxilio uni us . .

di e i Ib id 1 0 6 2 ( se c xi v ) ff 2 1 33 Roge rii Bac oni s

.
’
. .
,
.
-
,

t rac t a d Joh anne m Par isi onum . Cum e go Ro ge ri us .

‘

sapie nt i a mun di — Cf i bid 3 0 3 ( se c XV ) ff 28 5 9 0 "— "

.
’
. . .
, .

H un t e ri an Mu s M S ff 8 9- 9 0 , co n ai ns Li be r d i s ti n c ti on u m s api e n
. . 2 5 3, . t
tum i ne D i s ti n c ti o n es s ec r e t o r um sa p i e nt um p e r ha p s th e
’
an o n .
,

t
o ri gi n a l o f h i s F re n c h r e a i s e t t .

J u l. D V
. 1 6 6.
’— "
7 h as a n o n l e er : Q u e si v isti fi li k a ri ss i me , d e . tt ,

i n c an t a c i o ne e t a d i u r aci on e c o lli s u sp e n s i o n e si q u i d p o ss e n t p r od e sse , e t

s i c u t i n v e n i in lib ri s gr e c o ru m h e c
q u a li t e r in d o m m e ti am lib ris i n v e ni r e m ,
tu e p e ti c i o ni co mp e n d i o se i n h ac e p i s o la c o g or r es p o nd ere O mn es t .

t
in q u a m a n i q u i i n h o c vi d e n tu r e ss e c o n c o rd a i a l t i tu d i ne m E p li c i
’
t . x t .

tt
P ro b a b l y th e l e e r o f Co ns a ntin us Afri c a nu s t o t
hi c h B a c o n r e fe rs i n w
D e mi r a bi li p otes ta te c a p ii , . .
 APP ENDI X
P RI NTED Ox ford 1 5 90 ( a nd i n Eng li sh Lo ndo n
at , , ,

An e di t i o n o f t hi s w o r k a nd o f NOS 2 4 2 5 2 6 2 7 2 8 i s .
, , , ,

be i ng p re p a re d b y E T Wi t hi ngt o n a nd A G Li tt le . . . . .

24 . De uni ve rsa li reg i mine se nu m e t se ni oru m .

’
I nc . S umma
mi ni s m u ni v e rsa li s u t d i c i t A vi c e nna
’
re gi se uu .

VISS Bri t
. .
,
Muse um Sl o a ne 2 6 2 9 f 5 7 . .

Ox ford : B o d l 438 , ff 1 2
V
Ca n Mi sc 334 , ff 1 8 z 1 v ;
"
. . . . .
-

a nd 4 8 0 ( expli c i t f 1 6 ) E Mus ae o 1 5 5 , p 6 38 ; , . .

Se lde n s up ra 9 4 , f Ar ch Se ld B 35 f . . . .
, .

Ca mbri d ge Tri n Co ll 1 38 9 , f 1 ( se c XV ) . . . . .

Ma nche st e r : Che t ham Li b ra r y A 5 2 4 ff 3 2 4 . . .

"—
.

( Thi s sho rt t re at i se i nc l ude s De bal nei s s eu um et s eni or um

( i ne S e ne s s unt b a lne a nd i
.
‘
a nd De compos i ti on e

u a ru nd a m med i c i na r u m i n s pec i al i u e i uv a n t s e n
q q
s um &c ( i n e I nc i p i a mus i n no mi ne d o mi ni
, . a nd is
.

pri n t e d i n c a p x vi o f t h e e di t io n s me nt i o ne d a b ove . .

25 . Anti dotarins . Inc . Po st co mple t um uni v e rsalis sc ie nc ie

me di c ac i o ni s t rac t a t um
’
.

MSS Ox fo rd
. B o d l 43 8 , ff 1 4 2 1 ( se c XV ) Ca n Mi sc . .
"—
. . .

ff 5 a nd 4 8 0 , f 1 6 : E Musa e o 1 55 , p 6 45 ;
2 1 —
334 , .
, . .

Se lde n s upra 94 , f 1 33 Arch Se ld B 35 , f Cf . . . . . .

Ca n Mi sc 48 0 , ff 38 47 .
”—
. . .

Ma nche s t e r Che t ham Li b ra ry A 5 2 4 f . . .

Mil a n Amb ro sia na I 2 1 0 in f ( be gi n ni ng o nly ) . . .

26 .Liber Ba c on de ser m on e r e i adm ir a bili s , si ve de re tarda ti one

se nec tu tis I nc I nt e ndo c o mpo ne re se rmo ne m re i a d
. .

mi ra bi li s domi no me o fra t ri E c ui us vi t am de us pro .

,

longe t
’
.

MSS Ox ford : Bo dl 438 , f

. E Mu sa e o 1 55 , pp 6 5 5 . . .

66 Digb y 1 8 3 , f 45 ( se c xi v e x ) im pe rf Ca n Mi sc . .
,
. . . .

334 , ff 2 — 1
5 3 Arc h S e ld B 35 f 2 0 : S e lde n supra 94,
. . . .
, .

f 1 56 2
.

Ma nche s t e r Che th am Li brary A 5 2 4 , f . . .

27 .De gradua ti one m edi cina rum ( or rerum ) co mpo si tar um I nc . .

Omni s forma i nh e re ns
’
.

MSS Ox ford : Bo dl 438 , fi 2 1

.
"
E Musae o 1 5 5 , p 666 . . . .

Ca n Mis c 334 , f 32 ; 48 0 , f 2 3 ; S e lde n su pra 9 4,

. . . .
V

f 1 8 7 ; Ar c h S e ld B 35 , f
. Cf Ashm ole 1 437 , . . . . .

”
ff 2 3 ( se c XV )
— .
— Co rp Chr Co ll 2 5 4 , f 1 7 8 ( se c Xv i )
. . . . . . . .

Cam b ri dge Tri n Co ll 1 38 9 , f 2 0 . . . .

| Ma n ch e s t e r Ch e th am Li b rary A 5 2 4 f 45
"
. . .

B a c o n r e fe r s t o hi s o r a r ea i s e wi h t h e t t t t sa m e ti tle as th o ug h he were
t
n o t th e au h o r : O us M a us ii 2 1 0 , 2 1 3
p j , . .
 R OG E R BA CON
’
S W ORK S 40 1

28 . Tra cta tus de errori bus medi co rum .

‘
I nc . Vulgus me dicorum
’
n on co gn osc i t .

MSS Ox ford . Bo dl 438 , ff 2 2 8 ; Can Mi sc 334 , f 42 ;

: . .
"—
. . .

i bid 480 , f 30 ; E Musae o 1 5 5 , pp 6 69—8 9 ; S e lde n

. . .

supra 9 4 , f 1 94 ; Ar ch S e ld B 35 , f 3 1 — Corp . . . . . . .

Chr Co ll 1 2 7 ( se c XV )
. . . .

Camb ri dge : Tri n Coll 1 3 8 9 , f 2 2 . . . .

Ma nche s t e r Che tham Lib A 5 2 4 f 58 . . . . .

De di ebus eri ti ci s I nc Ad e vi de nt iam d i e rum c re t i c orum

’
29 . . . .

MS Erfurt Amplon Q 2 1 5 , ff 7 9V — 8 3 ( se c xi v )
. . . . . .

EXTRACTS P RI NTE D i n El fi e rdi ng Roger Ba cons S chrif ten

‘
,

über d i e cr i ti s chen Ta ge ( Erfur t ,

De mo rbo rurn Inc i pi t t rac t a t us d e c re t i c i s di e bus

‘

30 . cri si .

que m fec i t fr Ro gerus . Ba c u n d e o rdi ne Minorum Omni s .

e gr i tud o d e qua c ur at ur homo

’
.

MS Erfur t Amplo n Q 2 1 5 , ff 8 3 5
.
"— "
. . .

PRI NTE D i n Elffe rdi ng u s ,

. .

31 . Can one s practi c i de medi ci nis c o mpo s iti s c ompo nendi s ( 1 3 o r

c ha p t e r s ) Ca p i E xt rac t um d e li b ro se p t i mo
‘
15 . . .

Se ra p io ni s qui e st a nt i d o ta ri um s uum e t e s t t he o ri c um
c a pi t u lum I nc Ne c e s se e sse i lli qui v ult comp o ne re
’ ‘
. .

me di c i na s Ex p li c i t t rac t at us d e c o mposi t io ne m e d i
’ ‘
.

c i narum pe r fra t re m r uge r ium b ac o n e di t us

’
.

MSS Bo dl Ca n Mi sc 48 0 , ff 38 —47 ( s e c XV ) ; Arch

. . . . .
V
. .

S e ld B 35 , f 43 ( se c xi v )
. . . . .

Thi s c o rre sp o nd s fo r t h e mo s p a r i h t h e ra ns la i o n o f t h e t t wt t t
B revi a ri u m o f t h e s o n o f S e r ap i o n , Li b V ii c a p p 1 1 5 as c rib e d .
, .
-
,

t o G e ra rd o f Cre mo n a a nd p res e r v e d i n B ri M us e u m MS t . .

B u rn e y 3 50 f e t se q ( s e c ii i , I t p ro b a b l y o ug h t o
. . . x t
b e p l a c e d a mo n g t h e D o u b f u l a n d S p u r i o u s W o r k s t
32 Gramrna ti ca Grae ca
. .

( )
1 O x fo r d ‘
G re e k G r amm ar .

MSS O x fo r d : C o r p
. C h r Co ll 1 48 , ff 1 —
42 ( se c xi v ) . . . . .
:

Prim us hi c übe r v olumi ni s grammat ic i c ir ca li nguas

a li as a l a t i no qui e s t d e gr amm at i ca gr ae c a h a b e t t re s
r t D M i st at a
‘
P rs I i i i f
’

p a e s a st ca p .1 : n c a n e ,
.
, . .

laude e t de c larat a utilit ate c ognic io ni s gr ammati c e

S loane MS 3 7 44 f 3 5 ( s e c X V ), c o n a in s E rrore s se c undu m B acon

. , . . t .

I nc S c i to e ni m q u od o m n e c o rp u s a u t e s t e le me n t u m a u t e x c le me n i s
. t
co mpo s i tum A c co r d i ng t o Ch ar le s ( p 7 1 ) i t i s t h e Tr a c t de e rr ori bu s
’
. .
.

me di cor u m T his is a mis a k e

. t
I t re a s o f a lch e mi c a l e rro rs a nd re ad s . t t
mo re lik e Arn a ld d e il le ne uv e ha n Bac o n V
T h e b e g i nning a nd e nd t .

are w t
an i ng .
 40 2 APP ENDI X
quat uor linguarum sc il gre c e he bre e arabi ce e t , .
, ,

ca ld e e — U ni v e rsi t y Co lle ge 47 ( abbre via t e d c opy o f

.
’

Corp us Chri s t i MS ) .

Bri t Mus : Co t to n J ulius F vn f 1 7 5 ( a fra gm e nt o f

. . .
, .

o ne l e a f ) ( s e c XV ) , . .

Dou ai 6 9 1 ( ide n t i c a l wi t h U niv Co l l MS ) . . .

( 2 ) Camb ridge G re e k Grammar .

MS Camb ridge : U ni v Li b Ff V i 1 3 ff 6 7—9 ( se ce xiii

. . . . .
, . .

X i v ) b e gi ns wi t h G ree k alphab e t
‘
.
,

PRINTED i n The Greek Grammar of Roger B acon and a

F ragment of hi s H e br ew Gra mma r e d Nola n Hi rsch , .
,

Cambridge 1 90 2 pp 3 1 8 2 1 8 3—9 6 ( c f Comp P hi l i , , .

-
, . . .
,

No 35 b e l ow ) . .

33 Gramm at i ca He brai ca
. .

MS Camb ridge U niv Li b Pi V i 1 3 f 66 ( se cc xiii xi v)

. . . . .
, . .
-

fra gme nt .
2

PRINTED i n Nolan and Hi rs ch u s pp 2 0 2—8 ,

. .
, . .

mm m m ra t i o
gr amma t i ca aut fit
‘

34 Su
. a G ra a t i cae I n c O . .

me d i a n t e ve rb o pri me p e rso ne
’
.

MSS C a m b rid
.
g e : P e t e rh o u s e 1 9 1 ff 3 5 0 ( s e c c xiii xiv ) :
o —
,
. .
,

Expt f 5 O s ta b i t p ro d i e d o mi ni c a Ex pli c i t summa V

. . .

d e gr amm a t i ca magi s tri Roge ri Ba c o n

’
.

Worce st e r Cat he dral Q 1 3 ff 5 —2 4 ( se c xiv) ano n , .

, . .
, .

( same as Pe t e rho use

35 Co
. m pe n dium Phil o so p h iae or Scriptum Pri n cipa l e , .

An n y l p di w k n whi h B n
e c c o m t h ae b n c or o c aco se e s o av e ee
a l re a d y e n g ag e d b e fo r e h e re c eiv e d t h e P op e
’
s co mm a nd , a nd

C f B ri. t . CoMu se u m
T i b C v , f 4 6 ( af e r Op u s T er t ) : tt
D e c em . . . . t .

t
e t o c o p re p o s i c i o n es h ab e n t gr e c i 1 2 d i s s ill a b as 6 m o n o s ill a b as : p ri m e
sun t h e c : ap o a n a & c
’
T h e n f o llo
,
e p l a n a i o ns o f
, o r d s b e gi nni ng
. w x t w
t t
w i h h e s e p r e p os i i o ns ( 1 p a g e ) f 47 t
Li n c o lni e n si s p os e x p o si ti o n e m .
, t
o l o i a n e li c e I e r ar c hi e I n G r e c a s c ri p t u r a s u n d u e c hi e ( 2 p ag e s ) t
p r g g . .

Th e Gr e c o L a i n L e i c o n i n Co ll e g e o f Ar ms M S Aru nd e l I X d es cr i b e d
-
t x .
,

by M R . . j
a m es i n M él a ng e s ofi e r ts d M E mi le Cha tel a i n i s n o t b y B a c o n .
, .

Th e ( a s y e t u n p ub li sh e d ) No e s o r L e e rs t o i n qu i r e r s c hi e fl y o n t tt ,

H e b r e a n d G r e e k gr amm ar w i h s p e c i al r e fe re n c e t o t h e B i b l e d es c ri be d
w , t ,

b y S amu e l B e rg e r i n Qu a m n ati ti a m li ng u a e H e bra i cae ha bu e r i n t Chri s ti a ni

me di i a evi te mp or i bu s i n Ga ll i a P ari s 1 8 9 3 ar e p e r h ap s b y R o g er B a co n , , , ,

m or e p ro b a b l y b y W illi am d e Mar a ( Th e’ au h o r r e f e rs t o hi s l e c ure s . t t

0 11 L a m e n a i o n s t t c u m l e ge r e m T r e n os & c —e vi d e n l y i n th e U ni v , . t .

o f P a ri s ) I nc
.
Q uo n i am q u e d a m g l o s e m e n c i o n e m f ac i u n t d e li t e ri s e t
.

v o c a b u li s h e b r e i s e t gr e c i s
’
MSS T o u lo u se 4 0 2 , f 2 33 ( se c ii i )
. . . . x .

F lo re n c e : L aure n p l x x v s i n 4 , t
1 7 9—2 1 0 ( se c o
. iii —x i v ) Co mp ilac i o
. . . x ,

f ra t ri s Gu ill e lmi d e M ar a Ein si ed e ln 2 8 f 2 1 2 ( e r ac s ) ( s ec xi v ) , . xt t . .

3
S lo a n e M S 1 0 8 6 f 5 a fragm e n o f a a b l e o f c o n e n s s e c xi v , h as
.
, .
, t t t t , .

V t i li s s u mm a gr amm ati c e q u am c o mp o s u i t R o g e ru s B a co n
’
i n ter a li a .
 APP ENDI X
MSS Bri t . . S lo ane 2 1 5 6 ff 7 4—9 7 ( se c XV )
Muse um ,
. .
,

e n di ng i n t he s e c o n d p ar t o f t h e firs t b oo k .

Bodl Di g b y 7 6 f 48 ( se c xiii ) c o nt a i ni ng t he re ma inde r

.
,
. .
,

o f t he firs t b oo k o r a no t h e r re c e nsio n I nc .

Mat he ma t i c a ut i t ur t a nt um part e
‘
expl f .
, .

nume rare c o nve nie t

‘
F Expe d i t is hii s que .
’
.
‘

e xigunt ur a d p r0 po rt io ne s F 69 [ Pars II] De te r .

’
.
'
,

minato de part e mat he mat ic e pri ma des f si mili a , .

’
t ra pe ze i s .

EXTRACT5 prin t e d i n Cha rl e s pp 36 1 —8 ,

. .

An e di t io n o f t h e Com M ath i s be i ng pre pare d b y Mr Stee le . . .

a nd Pr o fe s so r D Euge ne S mi t h . .

Li b ri ii —vi An e xt a nt fragme nt o f a c o mme n t ary on

.

t he El e m e n t s o f Euc lid pro ba b ly b y Bac on ma y ha ve , ,

be lo nge d t o t hi s par t .

MS Bo d l Di gb y 7 6 , ff 7 7 —8 ( se c xiii ) I nc Ti t ul us
‘
. . . . . .

au t e m i st ius li b ri se c u nd um a uc t o re s
’
.

Vol . I II . P hys i cs ( o r Natural P hi losophy) fo ur b oo ks ,

( i ) d e co mmuni bus a d o m ni a na t ura lia ( ii )

c e le s t i b us ( iii ) d e e le me nt i s e t mi x ti s i na ni ma t i s
( iv ) d e v e ge t a b ilib u s e t a ni ma libus ( S t ee l e Communi a ,

Nat ural i um p , .

E ls e wh e re Bac o n e n u me ra t es th e seven
( i b id pp 5 . .

sc i e n ces w
hi c h h e i nc lud es in P h y s i cs
’
n am e ly ( 1 ) P e rspe c ti v a
t
( o r Op i cs ) ( 2 ) As r o no m ia ud i c ia r i a e t o pe ra i v a ( o r As r o t j t t
lo gy ) ; ( 3) S c i e n ti a po nd e ru m d e g ra v ib us e t le v i b ns ; ( 4 )
A lkim i a or S c i e n i a d e o m n ib u s r e b us in an ima ti s q u e fi un t
, t
p ri mo e x c le me n tis ; 5 ) A g ri c u l u ra o r S c i e n i a d e p la n a ra m t t t
t
n a u r a e t a n im a li u m s c i li c e d e o mn ib u s an i m a t i s p re e r t t
q u am d e h o m in e ; ( 6 ) Med i c in a ( d e an im a li ra t i o na li sc ili cet
‘

d e h o mi n e e t p rec i p u e d e s an i a t e e t i n fir m i ta te e jus
, t ,
’

( 7 ) S c i e n t i a e x p e rim e nta lis B a c o n ad d s ha h e m a y no t . t t

t t
b e a b le t o r ea o f t h e s p ec i a l sc i e n ce s e ce p P e rs pe c ti va , x t ,

on w
hi c h h e d es i r es t o co mp os e a c o mpe nd io us r ea i se , bu t t t
t t t
h o p es h a o h e rs m a y b e in d u ce d b y his la bo u rs to d ea l i h wt
t
h em .

It w
o u ld app ear , h e re fo re ha t
t h e s pe c i a l sc i e nce s e re no t ,
t t w
in c lu d ed i n th e fo ur bo o ks co m p ri s i ng V o l I II ; a ll h ese ou ld . t w
t t
h u s b e d e v o e d t o g e n e ra l p ri n c i p le s .

Boo ks i a nd ii ar e e a n a n d p o ss i b l y a fr ag men xt t
o f Bo o k ii i ;
, t
o f Boo k i v t
h e r e s e e ms t o b e n o r a c e t .

t t
No rea i s es o n th e sp e c i a l s c i e nc es s e e m t o h a v e be e n ri en w tt
f o r t h e Compe nd i u m P hi l os op hi ae e ce p p e r h a ps a v ersi on , x t
o f t h e D e M ul ti pli c at i on e S p e c i e r u m ( see
‚ 1 t r ea i n g o f th e t
s c i e n c e o f Op i cs t
Th e c o m p e n di o u s r ea i s e o n P e rsp ec iva
. t t t
w as ri w tt
e n f o r a n d i n c lu d ed i n Opu s M a u s ( P ar V ) and the . j t ,

o t h e r s ci e n c es me nt i on ed ar e r ea e d m o r e o r l es s f ull y i n v ari o u s t t
w
o r ks o f B a co n .
 R OG ER BA CON
’
S W O RKS 40 5

Li be r i Communi a N atural i um di vi de d i nt o fo ur p ar ts
.
, .

I nc Pars i .
‘
Po s t quam t ra di d i gr amma ti c am ,

Pars ii Di c t o d e e fii c i e nte Pars iii Post quam in

,
‘

p rim a pa rt e h uju s libri ; Pars i v Nu nc t e mpus e st

‘
,

ut fia t des c e nsus
’
.

MSS Bri t Mus e um : Royal 7 F vn , ff 8 4— 1 1 2 V ( sec xiii

. . . . .

ex ) Hoc e s t v olum e n nat ur ali s phi 10 5 0 phi e i n quo

.

t ra di t ur sc ie nci a re rurn na tur ali um se c undum p o t e s

t at e m o c t o sc i e nc iarum na t ur alium que e nume rantur
in se c un do ca pi t ulo c o nt ai ns Par t s 1 n 111 and ,
’

, , ,

ca p p 1 —7 o f Part i v I nc P os t quam t r a di di gr am
‘
. . .

ma t icam se c un d um li ngu as di v e rsa s expt

‘
t e rmi nus .

ge ne ra c i o n i s ( St e e le p , .

Co tt o n Fragm e n t i v , f 2 2 c o nt ai ns a c o p y o f di a grams .
,

on ff 9 2 o f
. t h e Ro ya l M S ( S t ee le p .
,
.

S loa ne 2 6 29 f c o nt ai n s a fe w li ne s o n mo ra l
,
.

phi lo so ph y fro m Com N at ( S t e e le p . .

,
.

Oxfo rd Bodl Di gb y 7 0 ( se c XV . I nc Po st quam . .

tr a di d i gr amma t ica m Co nt ai ns t he sa me a s Ro ya l MS
’
. .

Pari s Bi b l Ma za ri ne 357 6 , fi 1 —9 0 ( se c c Xi v— XV ) c ont ai ns

. . .
,

a ll t h e fo ur p a r t s I nc Po s t qua m t ra d i d i &c
’
. . .
,

Ano t he r v e rsio n o f par t s o f t he sa me w ork is c o nt ai ne d i n

MSS Bri t Muse um : Ro ya l 7 F vii , f 1 1 3 ( se c x iii
. . . . .

I nc Os t e ns um e s t in p ri nc i pio c uius d a m t ra c t a t us
‘
.

q uod ne c e s sa ri um e s t La t i ni s —Add 8 78 6 ff 2 —1 0 V .
’
.
,
.

(| se c xi v ) I n c Os t e nsum qui p pe
. . i n p ri nc i pio h ui us
.

c o mpe n di i phi lo so phiae Expl t e rmi nus ge ne ra ti o nis

’
. .

( S t e e le p ,
.

Ox o rd
f : Bo d l : D i gb y 1 9 0 , ff —
2 9 37 "
.
( se c e xiii —xiv
) . .
,

Ro ge ri Bac o n Trac t d e p ri nci p ii s nat urae Inc Sub . . .

s t a nc i a igi t ur a li a e s t It e m o mne ge nus ( S t e e le

’
.
,

p . Expl t e rmi nus ge ne ra t i onis . .

’

PRINTE D b y Ro be rt S t e e le Opera ha cten us i n edi ta Rogeri ,

B ac an i Fa so I I a n d I II ( Ox o n 1 90 9
, . .
, ,

Ext ra c t s i n Ch ar le s p p 369—9 1 ,
. .

Libe r ii . A stron omy i nt o five 01 De Coel es ti bus ,

d i vide d
t i P i m i t I n c Pars
r v e ri t a s P s ii ‘

p a r s . r a gi u . ar ,
‘
Habi t o quod o porte t po ne re qui nque c orp ora ;
Par s iii Q ui nque igi t ur corpori b us mundi
,
Pars iv ,

I t is p o s s i b le h a t tt
h i s w as m e an t o fo r m p a r o f th e Comp S tu di i t t .

Theol og i e ( see N o Mr S e e le h o e v e r r e g a r d s h i s r e a i s e as t h e
. . t ,
w , t t t
fi t
rs p ar t o f t h e C o m m u n i a M e ta p hy s a n d h o ld s h a i t w as i n e i s e n ce .
, t t x t
be fo re an y p art o f t h e Com N a t w as ri en I n p ar s i t i s i d e n i c a l
. . w tt . t t
wt
i h Com N a t
. .
40 6 APP ENDI X
Nunc i nv e s t iga nd us e s t nume rus ce lo rum Pars v ,

Te rmi na t a pa rt e i n q ua i nve s t i g a v im us nume rum

’
.

MSS . P a ri s :
B i b l M a z a r i ne 35 7 ,6 f 9 1 ‘
I nc i
.

p i t 2 “ .

ü be r c o mm uni um na t ura li um q ui e s t d e c e les t i bus ne l

d e c e lo e t mu nd o c ui us he c e s t pars prim a
’
Ca p 1 . .
,

Pri ma i gi t ur ve ri t a s .
’

x
O o r : Bo d :
f d l D i b
g y 76 ff —
1 35 "
( se c xi ii ) Com
.
, . .
,

p e n di u m P h il o so hi ae
p I n c P ri m a i gi t u r v e r i tas . .

c i rc a c o r p o ra m u ndi e s t q uod no n e s t u num c o r p us

c o nt i nu um e t u ni us na t ure Ibid f 36 De c o rpo r ib us

’ ‘
. . .
, ,

c o e le s t i b us s c d e zo di a c o s o le Ha bi t o d e ’
&c
, I nc .
, ,
. .

c o r po ri b u s m u ndi p ro ut m und um a b so lut e c o ns t i t uu nt

( w ri tt e n i n 1 2 6 6 p ro ba b ly a n e a rly d ra ft ma de be fo re ,

B a c o n ha d se tt le d o n t he sc h e me o f t he Opus M aj us ) .

393 , I f 44 ( s c XV ) Ve ri t a t e s d e ma g ni
— £ f A5 11mo le . .
e
.
, ,

t ud i ne p l a ne t a r u m T ra c t a t u s e x t rac t us d e li b ri s ,

c e li e t m u ndi m o b i li ss i mi i ll i u s p h i lo so p h i e t d o c t o ris

S t he o l R B qu i o m ni a re c t i fic a v it a t e m po re primo ru m
. . . .

a uc t o rum a s t ro no mi e u s q ue a d t e mp u s s uum F ’
. .

S e q ui t ur t rac t a t us a li us d e e i sd e m li b ri s c e li e t mundi
d e ne c e ssa ri is c i rc uli s i n c e lo ym a gi na t i s Pri mo .

i gi t ur sc ie nd um q uo d nullus c i r{ c ulus ] se c undum ve ri

t a t e m e s t i n c e lo ni si ga lla xa t a nt um .
’

P RI NTE D b y Ro be rt S t e e le Oper a hact en us i ned i ta Fasc IV , , .

( Ox o n .
,

Li be r iii A lc he my 0 1 De cl ementi s et mi xti s i na n i ma ti s

‘
.
,

E x c e rp t a e x li b r o se x sc i e nt i a ru m i n S a ni or i s
‘
Ci
’
.

m ed i c i na e &c ( Fra n k furt Q uar ta

‘
, pp 7 8 .
, .
, .

v e ro s c i e n t i a no n modi c am h a be t u t i li t a t e m et

e s t Al c h ymi a s pe c ula t i v a &c a nd t h e fo ll o wing

’
.
, ,

p a s s a g e pp 9
—1 6 : I,d e m R o g e r u s li
. b r o p ra e d i c to
‘

p r o b a t q u od e x his c um a d ju t o r i o sc i e n t i ae e xpe ri

me nt a li s &c ,
’
.

Li be r i v De vegeta bi l i bus
. et a n i mal i bus Agric ul t ure
a nd Me di c i ne ) .

Vol . IV M eta phys i cs and M oral s

. .

A fr a gm e nt o f t h e Me t a ph ysi c s o nl y h as hi t he rt o be e n
kn o w n Thi s was wri tt e n i n o r be fore 1 2 66 and much
.
,

Cf D i g b y
.
38 1 8 3, A l hi n d us de r ad i i s s te l l a r u m
f . . O mnes h o mi nes
q u i s e n s i b ili a s e n s u p e r c i p i u n t i h m ar gi n a l n o e wt
q u od es t e t rac um t , x t
d e lib r o R o ge ri B a k un d e c e lo e t mu n d o ca p i t u lo d e nu m e ro c e loru m
’
.
,

t
Cf B ri Mu s A d d 8 7 8 6 ff 1 0 V —1 2 '
. . . . n o i t le ,I nc N u me rus spe rarum
. t . .

c o n ti ne n t i u m
’
.
40 8 APP ENDI X

38 . Sinca te g [o ]reuma ta fra tr i s R Ba con ( t i t ma nu sec unda ) . . .

I nc Parc i um o ra t i o nis q ue d am s unt d e c li na biles ( pro bably

.

b y R o be rt
MSS Bo d l Di g by 2 0 4 , f 8 8 ( se c xi v
. . . .

Erfurt Am plo n Q 32 8 , ff 7 4 9 3 ( se c xiii )

'— '
. . . . .

39 Trac
. ta tus d e sig n is log i ca l i bus I nc Si g nu m es t i n pre . .
‘

di c a me nt o re la t io nis e t d ic i t ur e s se n t ia li t e r Expl Di ce n
’
. .

dum e s t q uod d uplic i te r i nte lligi t ur a li quid i n a lio .

’

MS Bo d l Di g b y 5 5 , f 2 28 ( se c xiii
. .
( The asc ri p . .

t io n o f t hi s t o Ro ge r Bac o n i s i n a la t e r ha nd ) .

40 . Quae st i o m li brum de Ca nsis super .

I nc S upra librum d e c a ns i s Que ri t ur c irca i nflue nt iam

. .

c a usa rum ut ru m ca usa a g a t pe r i n fl ue nti am

’
.
,

MS Ami e ns 4 0 6 ff 1 1 4
. A no n a nd i nco m ple te ,
. .

a q ui re i s mi s si ng be tw e e n ff 1 1 7 a nd 1 1 8 a nd ff 1 2 5 . .

a nd 1 2 6 h a v e no t hi ng t o d o wi t h t he t re a t i se .

De sc ri be d b y V Co usi n j our nal d es S ava nt s 1 8 48 .

, , .

41 . De so igi lia ( tw o bo o ks )
mn o et v .

MSS Bo d l Di g by 1 90 ff 7 7—8 6 ( sec xi v De

‘
. . I nc ,
.
‘
. .

so mno e t vigilia pe rt rac t a nte s Pe ry pa te t ico rum se n

t e nc iam po t i ss irne se q ue mur ( name o f a ut ho r a dde d
’

in ha nd o f se ve nt ee nt h ce nt ury ) .

Ca m bri d ge U niv Li br l i vi 5 ff 8 5 —8 ( sec xiii ) : . . . .

,
.
‘
.
,

[ Roger us Ba con So mpnus de s omno ct vi gi l i a ] I nc

‘
.

e rg o et vi gili a m odi s Di c it ur d e sc r ib unt ur m ul t is .

e n im q u od so mp n us e s t se ns us in po t e nt i a ( 7 c ha pt e rs ) .

( Tra ctat us d e s ompno et vi gi l i a by Ro ge r Bac o n was , ,

c o nt a i ne d i n a MS o f S t A ugus t i ne s A b be y Ca n t e r ’
. .
,

bur y No 8 43 i n t he c at alogu e e d M R J am es )
,
. . . . .

42 . Baco n in Me teo ra
( ti t ma n n se c xvi . . I nc . Cum ad
no t i c i am irn pre ss io num ha be ndam .
’

MS Bodl Digb y 1 90 ti 38 43 ( se c xi v
.
— ‘
.
,
. .

Se e L Ba ur Di e phi los oph i sc hen We r ke G r osse te s te s p

. , Ci , . .

Ba l e I nde x B ri t S c r i p t p 39 5 w ho m e n i o ns a mo ng Bac o n s
, .
,
o r ks :
.
, t '
w
D e con s truc ti one pa r ti a m [ or ati a n i s ] : i ne A d co mp le a m co gn i t i o nem .
‘
t
co n s tr u c ti o n is I n t h e S y o n MS A 4 fr o m
.
’
hi c h Bal e o o k his en try . .
,
w t t ,

t t
th e re a is e a p pe ar s fr o m t h e Ca a l o gu e ( e d Mar y Ba e so n p 2 ) to ha v e t . t , .

b e e n an o nymo u s b u t t o h a v e fo ll o e d Su mm a gramma ti ea li s fr atr i s w

R o g e ri B a k o n
’
.

t t t
T h e Ca a lo gu e a tr i b u es i t t o Ba co n b u t I f ai led t o fin d a n y hi ng i n , t
t
th e M3 i s e lf t o su p p o r th e s a e me n
. t t t t .

3
t t
Mr S ee le e lls me h e hi n ks hi s i s no t b y Ba co n Th e ri t er re fers
. t t . w
t o A l b e rt us Ma gn u s .
 R OG E R BA CON S W ORKS
’

40 9

43 .
[Qu es ti ones de pe rspe c ti va ] .

MS Amie ns 40 6 ff 1 5 5 —6 5
.
,
. fr agm e nt , of at re at i se (anon ) .

0 11 o p t i e s i n t he fo rm o f qua esti on es ,
be gi nni ng in cap iv .
,

qua e s t 9 : e rg o na t ur a
. c o mmuni s pe r quam

p e rs p i c u um i ne s t co rpo ri b us
part inm e xp ansi o a nd
e ndi ng wi t h ca p xii e nt i tl e d : De ra dio e xe unt e ab
‘
.
,

oc ulo e t d e e ins nat ura e t quomodo pe r ipsum con

t inga t vi d e re e t q uomodo no n This c ap xii
’
&c , . .

c o nt ai ns t e n qua es ti on es t he t e nt h be gi n ni ng X e st
a
,

d e mod o se c und um q ue m re s magn e ro t unde e t qu adr at e

p re se nt a n t ur i n oc ul o qui e st c orpus parvum e t figure
rot un de [ des ] .

44 . S pe c u li alm u k e fi oo m po si ti o se c un dum Rog er ium Bacon

[ o r De sec ti o ne co ni ca ] I nc Q ui a u ni v e rso rum [ al di ve r . . .

5 0 mm q uo s d e s pe c uli s a d da t am di s t a nt i am c omb ure nt i bus

]
trac ta r e pe rpe ndi se u q uo ru m v i d i t rac t a t us in sc ri p t i s ,
omnes e t s i nguli d uas s up po sue runt c o nc lusi o ne s a b Apol
lo ni o Pe rge o a lle ga t as sup r q uibus t o t a e orum inte ntio ,
e

fm da ba t ur [ a t t he e nd he c o u ld sa y muc h more about

s pec ula b u t fe a rs t o re pe a t wh a t h a s be e n s aid b y Apolloniu s
, ,

whose boo k he ha s ne ve r se e n] qua n quam e xac tissimam ‘

dil ige nti am O ppo s ue rim e um v id i sse ide o p re se nt i opusculo ,

c um l a ude De i di c t a s uffic i a nt Exp li c i t fe li c i t e r

’ ’
. .

MSS Bo dl . C a n M i sc .
48 0 ff 4 5 5 ( se c XV )
8 — . .
, . . .

F lo re nc e : Bi bl Na z Ash burnh am g5 7 , ff 95 —1 1 0 V ( se c XV )
. . . . .

Bri t Mus .Ti b B ix ( se c XV . ff 2 2 7 . injure d

. . .
\

b y fir e : be gi nni ng a nd e nd i ll e gi ble : r e fe rs to Apol

lo nius Vi t e ll o &c : f In omni se cc ione para
‘
. .
, ,

bo la s ign a t o punc t o i n me dio sagi tt e

‘
f 2 28 V
In .
,

spe c ulo c o nca va t o c o nc avi t ate s e c t ioni s Muke fi o mni s

Pr o p ix o f Go ga v a s e di t io n ) fo llowe d b y Pre mi ssis
‘ ’
.
,

au e mt c o nc lu s i o n i b u s i s t i s n o v e m ( f 2 2 8 V
) and by .
,

De spec ul i s combur enti bus ( se e No .

PRINTED i n a huma ni s t i c ve rsio n b y Ant onius Gogava

Gra vi e ns i s i n Cl P tolomaei P elusi en si s M athemati ci .

Oper i s Quad r i parti ti i n Lati n um S ermon em trad ucti o

I tem de s ecti on e con i ca orthogon a quae para bola di ci tur ; , ,

d eque speculo Vstori o Li belli duo hacten us desi derati ,

Lo v a ni i 1 5 48 ,
.

Cf No s 1 7 a 1 7 b a bo ve
. .
, ,
.

45 [D
. e s p e c ul o c o m b u r e n t i , co n ca vi ta ti s para b o l a e ] I nc
‘
De . .

s ublim i o ri q u o d g e o me t re a d i n v e ne runt e t in quo antiqui

so li c i t i fue ru n t e t i n quo b o ni t a s p 1 0 p ri e t a t um figurarum

t
P oss i b l y b y t h e a u h o r o f t h e S u mma P hi l os ophi ae as c ri b e d t o Gros se
t es t e ? S e e B a u r D i e phi los oph i s c hen We r ke Gros se tes tes p p
, , .
5 12 .
 APP ENDI X

ge o me t ric a rum a ppa re t e t q uo d a b e is acc idi t e x re bus

na t ura li b us est fa b r ic a t io s pe c u lo rum w m b ure nt i um e r
p
co nve rs i o ne m ra d so la r s ii i . Inc e s se ru n t ( sc il ph ilo so ph i ) .

e rgo i nve nie nd o e a m o d is d i ve rs i s Ep s upe r l o ngi .

’
.
‘

t ud i ne m que s i t a m Se nn o e rgo i s t e c o mp re he ndi t omne m .

O pe ra t io ne m S pe c u lo rum c o mb um n t i um q ue s u nt se c u nd um
ha nc figura m e t s unt fo rt io ris c o mb ust i o ni s o mni bus s pec u li s
q uo n i a m ra d ii c o nve rt u nt ur e x t o t a s u e rfici e e o rurn a d
p
un t u m unum
p c .
’

MSS Bri t Mus : Ves p A ii ff 1 40 4 wi th ma ny dia

. . . . .
,
.
-
,
!

g r a m s o n ff 1 46 1 47 ( se c e x iii e x —xi v . Ti t l e ,
. .

( se c c xiv e x XV . De S c t io ne Muke fi i nsc ri bed .

— e

i n j ohn De s h a nd j o a nne s De 1 5 5 5 Ant iqui s

' ‘
e : e .

s i mus li be ll us d e s pe c u lis c o m b ure nt i b us Expli c i t

’ '
.

de s pe c u lis l 1e t mo d o mb ure n t i b us —
Tib B ix
’

q uo l i co . . .

( se cXV . ff 2 30 i nj ure d by fir e .
V
be gi nning an d
e nd il le gi b le : f In o m ni se c c i ne . o
pa ra bo la la tus
e re c t um d up lum e s t c o nt a i ns a fe w di a grams
’

.
,

Ox fo rd : Co rp Chr Co ll 2 60 p 1 47 ( se
. c xv ii . .
,
. .

Twyne s c o py o f V e s p A ii
'
. . .

( Cf Flo re nc e
. Bi b l Na z Ash b ur nham 9 5 7 ( se c xv )
: . . : .
,

ff 1 1 1 —2 2 ( a no n no t i t le b u t fo llo w i ng di rec tl y o n
.
‘ r
.
, ,

t he S pe c Almuke fi se c Ro gge ri um Bac on

‘
. Ut .
‘

fac i li us ha nt co rpo ra q ui nq ue re gu la ri a d e q ui bus tr ac ta t

Euc lide s i n u lt i mi s s ui s li bri s ex pl Se n no e rgo i ste .

ad p unc t um su um [ c i s upr a E x li i t d s pe c ul i s
] p c e . .

co mbure n t i b us fe li c i t e r ( t hi s se e ms t o c on tain matt e r

no t i n V es p A ii ) . . .

Ci Bo d l Ca n Mi sc 48 0 ff 5 5 —6
. . i nc . Ut fac i li us fia nt .
,
.
' “
.

c o rpo ra expl sa t is liq ue ru nt i psa pro po si ta De o “

gr at i as .
’

PRINTE D t he e ar li e r p a rt o nl y i e V e s p A ii fi 1 40 3 ,
. . . .
,
.
-

(to la t e ris e re c t i e t i llud e s t q uod d e mo nst ra re .

v o lumus i n a re si se d v e rsio n b y Go ga v a ul supra , ,

Lo uvain 1 5 48 u nde r t he t i t l e : A nt iqu i s cr i ptori s

, ,

Iibel l us d e s pec ul o co mbur enti co nc avi tat i s parabolae ,

.

I n c EX subli mi ori b us q ua e Ge o me t ra e
. expl la te ri s .

e rec t i A t que i llud e st quod in e rr and um sum psimus

. .
’

Cf Nos 1 7 a 1 7 b a bo v e
. .
, , .

De muta bili bus pro n o s ti corum e lern en torurn I nc Scri bo

‘
. .

vobi s qui v ul ti s d e mut ab i li bus pro no sc io rum e l e me n

t orum que a b as t ri s c o nt i ngu nt o mni t e mpore se enli
Ex p li c i t t r ac t a t u s sub t i li ss ime co nsi de ra tio ni s
’
hui u s
‘
.

fra tr i s R B o rdi ni s mi norum qui e xpe rim e nta rius

. .

di c i tur
’
.
41 2 A P P ENDI X
—
( se c ,
. fi 4 6 ( Eng li s h ) Slo a ne 692 ,
xiv ) S lo a ne
2 350 6 .

fti r— 1 9 1 1 3 1 7 ( se c x v ) S lo a ne 368 8 , ff 8 7—9 1

,
-
. . .

Ox fo rd : Bo d l : Ash mo le 1 4 1 6 , f 1 0 1 — Ne w Co ll 294 . . . .

( Fre nc h ) .

Ca m b ri d ge U niv Li br Pi iv 1 2 f 39 ca lle d Rosari um . . . .

,
.
,

j o h a nni s — Tri n Co ll
9 1 5 f 1 1 7 ; c f i bid 1 1 20 111
.
’
. .
,
. . .
,

f 28 Ba c o n i n S pe c u lo a l kymie
.
‘
Int e r ce t e ra q ue di xi .

Pa ri s : Bi bl Na t ( fra nq ) 20 1 2 ( se c Xv i ) f 34 Miro ir . . . .
, .
,
‘

"
d a lc h imie t ra d de Ro g Bac o n par Gi rard de To rn us
'
. . .

Mo nt pe lli e r : Ec o l e d e Mé d e c i ne 479 ( sec XV ) S pe c ul um .

,

a lc li e mia Ro g ri i Bacc o nis ( no i nc i pi t gi ve n i n Ca ta logue )

e e .

Flo re nc e : Bi b l Na t S t ro zzi ( Mag li a becc hi ) xvi ( 7 ) 30 .

,

( s c Xv i ) Doc t is s im i vi ri Kug ri Ba cc o nis de alc h imia

e
.
,
e

li be llus c u i t i t ulus s pe c ul um a lc himie Mult i ‘

I nc . .

fa ri a m &c ca p 1 l n pluri b us a nt iq uo rurn co di ci b us

’
. .
, , ,

( e nds i m pe r f p .
,
.

Bol o gna : Bi b l U ni v 27 0 ( sc ec x v x vi ) vo l xxvi . . .

-
,
. .

I nc l bid Mu lt i fa ri um i fi 6 —
'

. 10 62 ( se c x v ) 1 -
. . .
, .

S R M m — l b id
'

[ p A l h B i ] l i h i
'

e c c o g a c o n . s u t p ar a .
30 3 .
,
. .

( se c XV ) ff 1 5 7 6 3 S pe c ul um A lc hi mi e I nc Mul t i
‘— '
. . . .

p h ar i e

Vie n na : Bi bl Pa l 5 5 og ( se c xy ) fl 330 Roge ri us. . .

,
.

Bac o n S pe c A lc hyrni a e ( no i nc i pi t gi v e n)
,
. .

P RI NTE D a t Nü rn be rg 1 5 4 1 in Ze t zne r s Theatr urn ,

’

Chemi c u m vo l ii pp 37 7 433 Ma nge t s .

,
.
-
.
'

Thes a u ru s i 6 1 3 &c F re nc h tr ans la t io n .

.
.
,

E ngli sh t ra ns la t i o n 1 5 9 7 a nd in Sa lmo n s
’
1 557 , ,

M od i c i na P r ac ti c a p 621 . .

50 . Spe c ulum Alch a n i ae ( pe rha ps b y Ar na ld de Ville ne uve

I nc .S pe c ulum a lc he mie q uod i n co rde meo figura vi .
’

MS Bri t Mus . Har l 35 2 8 , f 1 8 5. . . . .

Cf Bo lo gna
. Bi b l U ni v 2 7 0 ( se c c xv —xvi ) v o l x . . .
,
.
,

S pe c u lum Alchimi e Ba koni s Inci pi t spe c ulum al .

c h imi e e xpl ub i v ul t sp ir a t
’
. .

51 . Spec ulum Alch em i ae , d o ub tf q asc ri be d t o Bac on by

Nasm i t h : i ne Sc i e nd um es t q ui a p hil oso ph i pe r 4“ ve rba hoc
.

0 pus c o m p le v e ru n t su ffi c iu n t i nt e lle c t um ha be nti bus

’
expl
‘
. .

MS Ca m bri dge Co rp Chr Co ll 99 , p 1 89 ( se c XV ) a no n

. . . . . .
, .

Cf Bo dl . Ashmo le 1 4 1 6 , f 37 Li be llus alc hemi cus de

. .
,
‘

qua t uor ve rbis .

’

T his P ari s MS . als o co n a i ns t ( f 7 3) Li vr e du ma i tr e j up i ter p ar Roge r

.

Bac o n ( pos si b ly ex r ac fr o m B r eve B revi ar i u rn N o t t , .

t
A co p y o f hi s Spec A l c he m ( se c X V an o n ) i ne ( f 1 69 ) Mul ti p harie ,. . .
,
. . .
’

was in a P hilli pp s M S so ld at S o h e b y s A p ril 2 4 1 9 1 1 Lo t 7 . t ’

, , ,
.

3
t
R ep ri n ed 1 6 1 2 1 6 2 7 u n d er th e i le M i r oi r de ma i s tre j ea n M e hun
, , tt .
 R OG E R BA CON S W ORKS
’

41 3

52 .Spe c ulu m Al ch emiae I nc Trac t sc ie nc ie nat ural is sive d e . . .

la pi de philoso pho rum se c und um fr a tre m Ro e rum Bac on

g .
.

Sa l ute m [q uam ] t i bi ami c e kari ss ime e t s e c ul um ’

p .

MSS Bri t Mus S loa ne 69 2 ff 1 1 5 —7

. . .
, . .

Ca m bridg e U ni v Li b Ff i v 1 2 ff : 2 67— 1
7 . . . .
,

Ci Bo lo gn a Bib l U ni v 1 0 6 2 ( se c xi v ) ff 34—6
.
Tr ac . . .
, . .

t t q dic it ur S pe c ul um Bac onis : i ne Salute m

a us ui ‘
.

ex pl . va e e l t
Ci Le yde n Bibl U ni v Q 2 7 , Chim Voss 6
4
.
. . . . . .

53 Spe c ul um Sec r e torum o r Liber Se cr e torum de s iritu o c culto

p
.
, .

I nc l n no mi ne Do mi ni inst n
‘
a d i nst m c t i o ne m
.

[ a
i
t am ] mult o rum .

MSS Bri t . . Mus . : Sloane 5 13, ff 1 7 8 —8 1

. Ex pli c i t übe r 1
,
‘

se c re t o r um m Ro ge rus Ba ku n compo sui t Sloane ’

q ue .

10 8 1 , ff 8 1 7 8— Slo ff —6 se c XV
9 (
.
se c x v ) a ne 1 1 1 8 5 o ( ) .
, . . .

Ox fo rd Bo d l 1 7 7 f 5 4" ( se c x iv .
a no n Di gb y 2 8 , ,
. . .

f 61 .
; D i b
g y 1 1 9, f A h
s m ol e 1 4 6 7 , ff 13
v
. .
-

Co rpu s Chr ist i Coll 1 2 5 ,

|
se c . X v i) 1 48 5 p 1 17 ,
. . .

86
Ca m bri d g e : U ni v Li b Ff i v 1 2 , f 2 98 V . . . . .
, fo llowe d by
Ced ul a decl a r ati va M agi str i Roger i B a con i ne Qui a .

di xi m us i n spe c ulo se c re t o rum

Flo re nc e : Ri c c ar di 390 , ff . 1 38 —44 , followe d by Li ber
cl a r itat is Rog Ba c on : i nc . .
‘
De libro c lari tatis totius
ar t is a lc hi mi e ( ff 1 44 .
1

Cf . Flo re nc e Bi bl Naz Pa l , . .
, .
7 5 8 ( s ec . XV ) , 885 ( se c . Xvi ),
88 7 ( se c Xv i ) . .

P a 1s r nn i n S a n i or i s M ed i ci nae , &c .
, at Frankfur t , 1 60 3

( pp 38 7 .

54 . Se cre tum se cr e to rum na turae de la ude lapidis philo sophorum .

2

I nc Se c re t um se c re to rum nat urae audi ant se cre t i quae

.
“

’
loq uo r .

MS Ox fo rd : Bod l Di gby 1 1 9 , ff 8 0 —1 ( se c xiv

. . . .

P RI NTE D a t Fra n kfurt 1 6 0 3 ( p p 2 8 5 , .

Ci L yd e n Bi b l U ni v Q 2 7 , Chim Voss 6 4
.
e
Roge r . . . . . .

Bac o n Theo r et i ca d e l a pid e phil osophorum ,

.

55 . Radix m undi o r Tra cta tus a lc h em i cus de lapide ph ilo sophi co 3

,
.

I nc O mni um c o rpo ra co ns t a nc i um t am pe rfe c t a quam

‘
.

i mpe rfe c t a .
’

As hm o l e 1 4 7 8 ff 39 —40 ( se c X v i )
Ci . Ce d u la d ec lara i v a B a co ni s , . .
, t .

Ami ce i n is t is c o ns i s t i t d ifii c u ltas 0 p e ris no s r i

,
’
t .

t
W in c h es e r Co ll e ge 39 ( se c x v ) , ff 3 3—40 , h as anon r ea is e b e ginning . . . t t
es i vi s ti q uis t ri u m la p i d um n o b i li o r
’
.

T a n ne r B ib l p 6 4 m e n i o n s a MS o f Ro g e r Ba c o n D e phi l osophoru m
, . .
, t .

l a pi de a t P e m b ro k e Co lle g e Cam b ri d g e i t i s no t h e re no w ,
t .
 A PP ENDI X
MSS Ox fo rd . : St J h . o n s
'
Co lle ge 1 72 , ff .
3 1 1 V-
21 ( s ec . xv ) ,

a no n . 1 9 c h a pt e rs .

Bo d l Di g by 1 3 3 ( se c Xv i ) f 2 2
. Eng li sh t ra ns la t io n by .
, . ,

Ro be r t Fre e lo w o f Lo nd o n me rc a t he 1 6 o f Fe br ua r i i , ,

1 5 c ha p t e r s be gi nni ng The bo dies o f a ll

”
a 1 5 50 ,

t hi ng s be i ng ( a tt ri b ut e d t o Ro ge r Bac o n) Ashmole ’
.

1 4 1 8 , ff 47 —6 0 ( Eng li sh ) . .

Bri t Mus S lo a ne 1 7 99 ( Engli sh )

. .
,
.

P RINTE D Eng li sh t rans la t i o n i n Salmo n s M ed i c i na P ractica

, ,
'

8 —6 2 0 u nde r t he t i t le R o e r ii Bac ho nis

pp 5 5 g .
, ,

Ra d i x Mundi t ra ns la t e d o ut o f La t i n i nt o Engli sh a nd ,

c la use d b y Wi l li a m S a lmo n 1 5 c ha p t e r
,
s ( c ha p t e rs 1 — 13 ,
’

o f t he t ra ns la t i o n c o rre s o nd ge ne ra ll y t o ca pp 1 —1 3
p .

o f t he La t i n v e rsi o n ) .

56 . De j
su b ec t o tr ans m uta ti o ni s .

MS . Pa ri s : B i bl Na t . . 2 5 98 , f . 1 38 ( se c . XV ) i ne . Lic e t
i n q ue s t i o ne q ua q ue r i t ur ut rum i n ma t e ri a in q ua
n ra t u a liq ui d s i t i nc i i um t i v um no n c re da m t e
g e e r
p r p ac

a l i q ua t e nu s d ubi t a re Ex pli c i t d e s ub je c to t ra ns
’
.

mu t a t io nis se c u nd u m Roge ru m Bac ho nis ( l t ma y

’
.

oc c u r i n o ne o f h is la rge r wo r ks ) .

57 . Edi ti o su per Ge berem de tr i bus o rdin i bus m edi cine a Rog ero ‘

Bac o n I nc Tre s s u nt o rd i ne s me d ic i na ru m se c u nd um
‘
. .

Ge be re m Expt E t i s t a d uo S c a p i t u la s unt pa rs ce d ul e
’
. . .

s pe c uli .
’

MSS Ca m b ri d ge . : U ni v . Li b r . Ff . iv . 12 , ff . 2 94
‘ —8 (A . O .

1 5 28

Bologn a : Bi bl U niv 4 7 4 ( se c xv ) ff 7 3 Ro ge ms
‘
\
. . .
,
.

B ac u m [s i c] s upe r Ge be re m de t ri bus o rdi n i bus

me di c i ne
’
.

Cf Ox fo rd Co rp Chr Co ll 2 2 6 f 34 a nd Ca mb ri dge
.
, . . .
,
.
,

Uni v Li b Ff i v 1 2 Fl 6 3—7 1 ] oh P a uper de la pid e

. . . .
,
.
,
.

phi losopho r u m o r B r e r i loqui um j oha n n i s P a uper i s : ,

Te s ta t ur G e b a r quod t re s s u nt o rdi ne s ’
i ne . .

58 . Com pen di um Alkyrni e se c un dum e un dem Ma g istn rm Rog .

Ba con u t es tirna tur ’

I nc Ami c e a cc ipe a rt e m i n b re vibus . .
’

MS Cam bridge U ni v Li b Ff iv 1 2 , ff 30 6 1 1
.
"—
. . . . . .

i . e .i b n H ai y an
] abir So me o f h i s o r ks o n a lc h e m y w e re p ri n e d . w t
at V
e ni c e 1 4 7 5 og e h e r t t
i h p oe m s as c ri be d t o F ri ar Elia s ; a nd a t wt
t
Be rn e 1 5 4 5 w i h t h e S p e c A l c h e m ia e R Ba c h o n is
‘
Cf Ca m b ri d ge . .
’
. .
,

Co rp u s Chr Co ll M S 99 5% 9 1 0 ; A s h mo le MS 1 44 5 5 i v
. . . 1 —5 On , ,
.
, , fi . .

Ge b e r and p se u d o- Ge be r s ee Be r h e lo L a Cki mi a a u moy e n äg e i 34 3 t t , , .

,

iii , 1 2 6 .

E ng lis h v ers i on in MS As hm o le 1 4 1 8 ff 1 3" .

, , .
 APP ENDI X
Ox fo rd Ca n Mi sc 334 ff 5 9 V —9 4VBo d l se c u nd um fr
. . .
, .
, .

Rog Bac u n E Musa e o 1 5 5 pp 43 1

. se c und um , .

ma g Ro ge ru m B ac o n D i g b y 43 S t Joh n s
'
. .

Co ll 1 7 2 ( se c x v ) Co rp Ch r Co ll 1 2 4 ( se c xv ) a non
. . . . . . .
,
.

Wi nche st e r Co ll e ge 39 , f 1 ( se c xv ) asc ri be d t o Bac o n or . .

,

t o d e Rupe sc is sa .

m
Ca b r geid T ri n C o l l 1 389 , f 45 ( se c x v ) anon
"
. . . .
, .

Pa ri s : Bi bl Na t 7 1 5 1 &c . .
,
.

S a vig nano di Ro ma g na 44 , f 1 ( se c x v ) a no n . .
, .

PRINTED : Base l 1 5 6 1 1 5 97 , ,
.

Sem i ta re c ta a lch ernia e ( o r Li be r duod ec im aquar um ) a lso ,

a tt ri b ut e d t o A l be rt us Ma g nus Se ve ra l di ffe re nt t re at i se s .

ha v e t he sa me t i t le One a tt ri b ut e d t o A lbe rt us be gi ns : .

Ta le nt um mihi c re d i t u m ( S cr i pt Ord P r a ed i 1 7 8
‘ ’
. . .
, .
,

fro m MS Co lbe r t a no t h e r O mn i s s a pi e n t i a a
‘
.
,

Do mi no De o ( H u nt e ri a n Muse um 1 c f No 2 0 n ab ov e ,
. . .
,
.

MSS B ri t Mus : S lo a ne 5 1 3 , ff 1 5 5 —6 8 ( se c xv )
. . . . .
*

Expli c i t se mi t a re c t a a l ke m ie A lbe rt i ( i n Engli sh ) :

‘ ’

Nu nc vi d e nd um e s t quomodo hunt
‘
ff 1 6 8 V
.

fo rne lli e x p li c i t s e mi t a re c t a a lke mi e Albe rt i

ff 1 8 I " . Li b e lli h ui u smo d i a qua m m e x p li c i t

se mi t a re c t a a lk e mie se c undum ma gi s t rum Roge rum

Ba k u n S lo a ne 27 6 f 2 1 ( se c x v ) ( a no n ) c f Sloane
.
’

, . . . .

3 1 6 ( se c x v i ) ( Alb Ma g nus ) 6 33 ( se c xvii ) i n Engli sh

. . .
, ,

a tt ri b ut e d t o b o t h Ro g e r a nd A lbe rt .

Ci Bo d l : Ashm o l e 1 4 8 5 , pp 1 7 3— 88 ( s ec xv i ) Li be r
. . . .
,

A qu arum Ashmo le 1 49 0 ff 9 2 93 , .
,
.

De l
o eo I nc S t i bi um se c u ndum ph iloso phos com
s tibu . .
‘

p o ni t ur e x no b i li s u l p h ur e mi ne ra li a sc r i b e d t o B ac on b u t ,
’

c om p o se d b y B a si l Va le nt i ne .

P RI NTED i n Currus tri umj> hali s anti monzi f r atr i s Bas ili c
' '

Val enti n i ( To ulouse pp 1 1 6 —2 6

,
. .

Am o ng work s o n o t he r sub j e c t s t ha n alche my som e t im es

a tt ri b ut e d t o B ac o n an d c e r t ai nl y no t b y hi m are

65 [El em en tary Treatise o n Logi c ] .

Prima pe t i a magi st ri p h I nc Q uoni am i gn orat is . .

’ 2
.
‘

c ommuni bus ne c e ss e e st ar t e m i gno rar e

’
.

MS B od l E Mu sae o 5 5 p 5 0 7 , h as D e e xp ul s i on e uemani
'

. . 1 I nc , . . .

t
I s a su b scr i p t a s e q u e r e n t ur p o s ca p i u lu m d e hii s q u e e xp e ll u nt v e n e n u m
’
t t
x
no t e p r ess ly as c ri b e d t o B a c o n i t f o llo s th e D e C on s i d qu i n tae esse n ti ac w .

i n th e MS a n d i s p e r h ap s a p ar o f i t
.
, t .

2
.
’
t
I n E Co y e c q u e s Ca a l o gu e ( 1 8 9 3) t hi s is r o ng ly g i v e n as P ri ma p ec ia w
m ag is tr i P e r i B a c u nt p h m a y b e P e tr u s H i sp anu s o r P e r us H e lyas
. .
’
t .
 R OG E R BA CONS W ORKS 41 7

MS .Am i e ns 40 6 ( se c xiii ff 1 30 5 2 . .
-
.

De sc ri be d b y Vi c t or Co usi n a s a t rai t é d e logi que a

‘

l usa ge d e la j e un e sse s a n s auc un ti t re e t s an s

’

no m d au t e ur On li t se ul e me nt e n t et e Prima pe c ia
’
.

magi st ri S H
’
. .

( Pe t e rhou se MS 1 9 5 ( se c xi v ) a t Cambridge f orme rly . .

,

c o nt ai ne d Lo gi c a fra t ri s Ro ge ri B ac o n

66 De inte ll ectu e t in te llig en ti a a nd De nutn men to a sc ri be d to

'

.
‚ ,

Ba c o n i n t he Old Ca t alo gu e o f th e Bo d le i a n MSS are b y .

,

Albe rt u s Magnus .

MSS Di gb y 5 5 f 1 1 9 ( a no n ) 6 7 f 1 0 7
.
, . .
,
.

PRI NTE D i n Oper a Alb M agn i ( e d Pa ri s 1 8 90 v ol ix . .

, , . .

Phil oso phie Pauper um o r Summa philoso phi a e na turali s

.
,

( i ne. Phi lo so p hi a d i vi d i t ur i n t re s p art e s a scri be d t o

‘

Bac o n i n Old Ca t alo g ue o f Bo d l MSS i s t he w o rk usua ll y . .

,

b ut wro ngly a sc ri be d t o Albe rt u s Ma g nus re a lly c o mpil e d ,

from hi s c o mme nt ari e s Ci No I b n a bo ve . . . .

, .

MS Digb y 1 5 0
. .

Rog er ina ma j or ( i nc Sic ut ab a n t i q ui s ha be mu s a uc to ri bus .

e t min or ( zn c Cum me di c i na li s a r t i s Cum a rt i s

'

. or

me di c i nae tw o me di c a l t re a ti se s ne i t he r by Roge r ,

Bac o n o ne i s b y a Ro g e r B a ro n .

MSS SIo a ne 342 f 1 46

. Bo d le y 7 8 6 ; Go tt i nge n
,
.

Bi b l U ni v Hi s t Na t 1 2 ff 49—9 6 ; Mo nt p e lli e r Ec o le
. . . .
,
.

d e Méde c i ne 1 6 1 &c Fo r o t he r MSS s e e H i st Li l i d e ,

. . . .

F ran ce xx 5 2 7 ; xxx i 5 30 , &c Ci Charl e s Roger

. .
, . .
,

Bacon p 7 5 , . .

P RI NTE D Ve ne t 1 498 . .

69 . Kal en da ri um 1 29 2 pe rha p s b ase d on Ba c on

, .

MSS Bri t Mus : V esp A ii ff 2 —2 5 ( se c x i v ) Ka le nd ari um

‘
. . . .
,
. . .
,

se qu e ns e xt ra c t um e s t a t a b uli s t h o le t a n i s A D 1 2 92 . .
,

fac t us a d me ridi e m c ivi t a t i s t h o le t i que i n Hi spa ni a sc i t a ,

e s t c u i us ( e tc ) di c t a v e ro la t i tudo e fli c i t ur c ivi t at is
.

l i n c o ln i e n s i s
’
.

B odl e y 46 4 ff 5 8—7 2 ( se c x i v ) , Ca no n supe r se qu e n s

. .

k a le nd ari um a d ve ra m c o niu n c t i o ne m s o li s e t Inne

a c c i p i e n d am c o mp o si tum a fra t re Roge ro Ba cc un .

Kale nd ar ium se que ns e xt rac t um e s t a t abuli s Thole tani s

A D . 1 2 92 . fac t um a d me ridi e m c ivi t a t i s Tho le t i que
, ,

i n Hysp a ni a s c i t a e st Cui u s meridi anu s n o n mul t um .

d is t at a me ridi a no me dii pu not i Hyb e r nie

’

( Th e .

kal e nd ar i s Engli sh no t Fra nc i sc a n : i t is not to b e ,

B a le g i v e s H u man a na ura t as i n ci pi t .
 c o nfuse d wi t h t he w o rks of Ro be rt of Le i ce st e r ; Grey
F ri a rs i n Oxf ord p , .

De ma gn e te Ami c o rum i nt i me q ua ndarn ma gne t i s

‘
I nc . .
,

la p id is b y Pe t e r d e Ma ri c o urt
’
.
,

I n A r chi v F ra nc H i s t v 2 2 —40 Fr E Sc h lund give s

. . . .
, . .

a li s t o f t hi rt y o ne e x i s t i ng MSS a n d fi ve e di t i o ns -
.
, .

Se e a lso Si lva nus P Th o m p so n i n P roceed i ngs of the .

,

B r i ti s h Acad emy v o l ii ,
. .

De Mus i ca Co nse q ue n te r d e num e ro

‘
. I nc . in ve r bi s :

a li qua n t ulu p ro ut m s i mi li t e r a d p ri nc i p a le i n t e nt um s u f

fic ie nte r e x p lic e mus ; e t p ri mo i nt e rp re t a nd o se c u nd o ,

di ffi nie nd o t e rc i o di vide ndo s ic u t pri us fe c i mus proce

, , ,

da mus .
’

MS Mi la n. Amb ro si a na R .
47 s up .
,
f 43 .
( se c .

De sacrae s cr i ptur ae pro fun di s mis ter iis a uth o re Roger o

Bac on .

MS Lo ndo n : G ra y s Inn 1 7 ( se c x v ) ; t h e t i t le is i n
’
. .

a la t e r h a nd The w o r k c o nsi st s o f a n a lpha be t i ca l

.

a rra nge m e nt o f c e rt a i n w o rd s o c c u rr i ng i n t h e S c ri p

t ure s wi t h t he i r s yrn bo lic a l me a ni ngs Th e fi r s t tw o .

le a v e s o f t he fir s t q ui re ar e w a nt i ng a nd t he t e xt ,

b e gi ns : id e st se c re t o rum sa c re sc ri pt ure pro funda

‘

mis te ria t he w o rd c o mm e nt e d o n be i ng A bi s s us
’
.
,

The la s t wo rd di sc us se d i s Z on a Pe rha ps t he ex .

p o s i ti o n c s v o c a bulor u m o f Ro g e r C o m po t i s t a m o nk
‘ ’

o f B ur y S t Edm und s o r t he Di s ti ncti on es f ratr i s

’
.
,

M a ur i c zi ce rt ai nly no t Bac o n
'

.
,

Trac tatus fratri s R Baco n supe r Psa l te rium I nc Bea t us . . .

v i r qui no n a b ii t e t c Ho e e x po n i tur de uno mart i re ,

.

po ssi bly b y Robe r t Ba c o n .

MS Bodl e y 7 45 , f 97 ( se c xi v ) ( The v o lume c o nt ains

. . . .
,

Trac t fra t ri s B t he B r emlo qm um o f

' '
‘
i nfer al i a
’
. .
,

S t B o n av e n t u r a )
. .

The tr tiea i s a no n ym o u s b u t i s i n a v o lu me c o n ai n i ng so me o f
se , t
Ba c o n s
’
w o ks r an d i s a ttai b u t e d t o hi m in Mo n t ta u c o n s Ca a lo g u e Mr ’
t . .

t t
S e e l e kin d ly l e n m e hi s f a cs imi l e o f t h e M S a n d I a g r ee w i h hi m t ha .
, t t
th e w o r k i s n o t b y B ac o n Th e a u t h o r w as a p h y s i c i s
. i t h so m e k n o tw w
led g e o f a lc h e my H is g e n e ra l p hil o s op hi ca l p os i i o n m ay be in f er r ed
. t
fr om t h e fo llo i n g e ra c s w xt t
I te m m form a es t p ri n c i p i um d i vi d u a ndi m
e t a b a lii s d i s t i ng u e n d i f orm a e s t p rin c ip i u m c o gn o sc e n di e t s i c o ri gi o

n an d i i n a n im a v e ri ta t e m fo rm a u l i m o es t p ri n c i p i um o p e ra n di t .
’

t t
[T h e r e a i s e D e vali tu d i ne [val or e ] mus i ce s ( i n e S e c u n d um Bo e t hi um e t .

t
c e t e r o s a u o r es mu s i c es as c ri b e d t o B a co n b y B a l e I nde x B r i t S cr i pt , ,
.

. xt
p 39 5 , i s p r o b a b l y a n e r a c fr om t h e Opu s Te rt , e d B r e e r , p 2 9 6 ] t . . w .
 I NIT IA O P E RUM I N P RA ECED ENTI CATA LOGO
CITATO RUM

ACCI P E l fur mund u m 7 4

su ,
.

Ad c o mp le t a m c o g ni t io ne m 38 n , .

Ad e vid e n t iam d ie rum c re t ic o rum 2 9 ,

.

Ad i ns truc tio ne m [ins ta n t iam] multo rum 53 .

Ami c e ac c ipe art e m i n b r v ib us 5 8 e , .

Ami c e i n is t is c o ns is t i t d i ih c ult as 5 3 n ,
.

Amic o rn m i n t i m e q u a nd a m mag ne t is 7 0
, ,
.

A rs [e rgo ] a l k i m ia e d uo p r i nc i p a li t e r c o ns id e ra t ,

A rs p ri nc ip a li te r d uo co n t i ne t 2 0 ,
.

BE ATU S v i r q ui no n a b i i t . Ho c e x po n i t u r de u no mart i re 7 3 ,
.

B re v e b re v i a r um b re v i t e r a b b re v ia t u m ,
20 .

C0 0 11 0 e t c o gi t a vi S e ne sc e nt e mundo 2 3 ,
.

Co mp le t i s q ua t uo r p a rt i b us 1 1 ( B) ,
.

Co mple x io ne s loc o r um 1 0 ( Op M aj i v) ,
. . .

Co rp o ra v e ro Ad e e t E v e 1 0 ( Op M aj v i e x t rac t )
,
. .
, . Cf . 12 .

Cum a d no t i t i am i mpre ss io num 4 2 ,

.

Cum d e p o n d e ri b us u t i li s e s t di s t i nc t i o 2 2 iii , , .

Cum e go Ro g e ru s rog a t us a p luri bus 2 2 i , ,

.

Cum me di c inal i s a r t i s 68 , .

Cum p ro mi si t i bi mi tt e re d uas s c h ed ul as 2 2 ii , ,
.

Cum q ue ri tur quid es t s pi ri t us 5 9 n , .

Cum t an t ae re v e re n t i ae di gni t as 1 2 ,
.

Cup i e ns t e e t a lios 1 0 ( Op M aj v
, . . .

DATO p rologo i s t i us qui n t e p a r t i s h ui ns v o lum i ni s 1 1 ( B) ,

.

D e anim a s e c un dum s e i p s am 6 6 ( Al b Mag De n utr i me nto ) , . .

,
.

De b es m un dar e 6 1 ,
.

D e c e m e t oc t o p re po s i t io nes 32 n ,
.

D e c lar a t o i gi t ur quod una es t s api e n t i a 1 0 (Op M aj iii ) ,

. . .

De in d e c o gi t avi 0 pus ali quo d 1 3 , .

De in d e c omp ar o li n g uarum ut ili t a t e m 1 3 ,

.

D e in d e qu e ri tur an ali qu od a ge ns 1 1 A ( fragm e n t ) , .

D e li b ro c l ar i t a t i s t o t i us ar t is al c hi mi e 5 3 ,
.

Des c ri p t i s hi s figu ris 7 7 ,

.

D e somn o e t vi gili a p e rt ra c t an t es 41 , .

De sp ec ul orum mi ra c ul i s Ni c hil ab oc ulo 1 0 ( Op M aj v ,

. . .
 R OG E R BA CON S W ORKS
’

42 1 .

De sub li mio ri qu od ge ome t r e 45 , .

D e t ermi na t a qu art a p ar t e p hilos ophi e moral i s 1 3 1 4 , , .

De t err ni n at o d e p ar t e math emati c e p ri ma 35 II , , .

D e ut ili t at e a ri sm e tri c e 1 0 ( Op M aj i v )
, . . .

Di c t o d e e fli c i e nt e e t e jus i nflue nt i a 35 III ( Com N at lib , , . . . I ,

p ars
Di c tu m es t d e s yllo gi smo 7 5 , .

Di s ti nc ti ones se c re t or um sap i e nt um 2 1 n , .

Dixi t S al omon De us d ed i t 6 2 ,
.

Domi n e mundi q u i Co gi t o e t c ogi t av i S enes c ent e

mu nd o , 23 .

ET quo ni am e ad e m e s t s c i e nt i a o p po s i t orum 1 0 (Op , . M aj . V .

E t s i as t r o lo gi p ro m i t t u n t 1 6 ,
.

Ex c o nc a v i s s pe c u li s a d s o lem 1 7 a , .

Ex ec u t is i gi t ur d u ab us p r in c i p ali b us 2 0 n , .

E x ec u t o b r e vi te r t rac t a t u d e s p i r i t i b u s m i ne ralibus , 20 n .

E xp e d i t is hi i s que e xi gun t ur 35 II , , .

E xp le t is q u at uo r p ar t i b us 1 1 ( B) n , .

‘
FU S IU S
’
qui d e m d ic t um es t , 1 0 ( Op M aj i v . . .

G EOM ETRIA ass e c u t i v a , 1 7a .

H A B ITO d e c o rp o ri b u s m undi 35 III , , .

H ab i t o d e vi su fa c t o 1 0 (Op M aj v ,
. . .

Habi t o q uod o p o rt e t po n e re q ui nque c o rp o ra 35 II I (De Coele , ,

s ti bus ii ), .

Hec es t d oc t ri n a o m ni um e xp e ri me n t orum 6 1 , .

Hic ali q u a d i c e nd a su n t d e pe rs p ec t i v a 1 0 ( Op M aj v ,
. . .

Hic a u t e m v o le n s p o ne re radi c al e m ge ne ra t io ne m re m m 1 2 ,

( De g e ner ati one r er u m) .

Hi c i nc i pi t v olum e n v e r ae Ma t h e mat ic ae , 35 , II (Communi a

Hic i n fine p e rs pe c t i v arum v o lo ad v e rt e re al i qu a d e mot ibu s

c e les t i b us , 1 3 .

H us h a b i t i s v ol o d es c e nd e r e ,
13 .

Huc usqu e 13 n .

Hum an a n a t ura 6 8 11 ,
.

IN an ti qu i s phi lo s op h orum li b ri s 49 , .

Inci pi amus ergo ge n e r at i o n em m e t allorum 2 0 , .

In c ip i amu s in n omi ne d e i 2 3 n , .

Inc i pi amu s i n n omi ne d omi ni 2 4 ,

.

In d e b i t o re gi mi ne c orp ori s e t prolongat i one , 35 ( e xtrac t ) .

 APP ENDI X
I n i l li n s n o m i n e q u i m a j o r e s t 1 9 , .

In no mi n e D o mi ni Ac c i pe s ulfur m und um 7 4
.
, .

In n omi n e D omi ni ad i ns t ruc t io n e m mu l torum ,

In pl a ni s s p e c ul i s r e i vi s e 1 7 , .

In p luri b us an t i quo rum c o d ic ib us 49 ,

.

In p ri nc i pi o d i c am us d e d i s s o luc i o ne fe rme n t i 6 0 , .

I n s p e c ulo c o nc av a t o c o nc av i t at e s e c ti o nis 44 , .

In t e n d o c o mp o ne r e s e rm one m re i ad mi rab il is 2 6 , .

Int e r c e t e ra qu e dixi 49 ,
.

I nt e rro g a ti o ni v es t re d e s e cre t is n at urae 5 9 , .

I nt ro d uc t i o es t b re v i s 37 , .

Is t a sub s c ri p t a s e que re n tur pos t c api t ulum 6 2 n , .

KAL E NDARIU M se que ns e xt rac t um e st , 69 .

LA dis t i nc t i on d es s ec re s d e s s age s 2 1 , .

Li c e t i n qu e s t i o n e q ua qu e r i tur 5 6 , .

Li c e t Ii b e r p ri mus e s t d e c o nsid era t i one 6 2 , .

MANIFE STATA l aud e e t d e c lara ta u t ili t at e 32 , .

Mani fe s t a t o q uod multae p rae c larae radi ce s s api e nt i ae 1 0 ,

( p
O M. aj )i v . .

Mani fes t a t o quomo do math e mat i c a necessari um e st 1 0 (Op , .

M aj i v c ) .
,
.

Mani fe s t av i i n p rae c e d e nt ib us 1 0 (Op M aj v u , . . .

Ma the mat i c a u ti tur t an t um p a rt e 35 II ( Commn nza M

'

, ,

Me nsura ut d i c i tur e s t qui c quid 5 , .

Multi fa ri am mul tis que mo dis 49 , .

NAT U RAL I S phil osophi e p ri nc i p ale s p art es 1 b 11 , .

Ne c ess e e s t ill e qui vul t c o mp o ne re me di c i nas 31 , .

Nihi l ab o c ul o 1 0 ( Op M aj v ,
. . .

Non quid e m ne c e s s ar ium 2 0 , .

No t an dum qu o d i n omni j udi c i o qu at uo r 1 5 , .

No t an dum qu od qui a omne s ax e s 1 7 b , .

No w t ha t I h av e se t fo rt h th e ro t e s of t he sc e i nce , 10

(Op M aj
. . Vi ).

Nume rus s p h e ra ru m c o n t i ne n t i u m omne s mo tus ste llat um .

35 III 11
, .

Nunc i git ur ad i ns t anc i am t uam 1 0 (Op M aj v 1 , . . .

Nunc i nv estig an dus e st num e rus c e lo rum 35 I I I , , ( De C oelesti

bus iv) , .

Nuno iuv a n dum [mir an dum e s t quo d i n d i ve rs is sc i e nt iis , 5 .

 APP ENDI X
P ro pt e r mu lt a i n h oc li b ro c o n t e n t a q u i li b e r d i c i tu r se c re ut m
s e c r e t o r um 6, .

P ro t ra x i h a n c p a r t e m t e r t i a m 1 0 ( Op M aj v n
[ , . . .

Q U A E RI I U R, e t c Vi de Q ue ri t u r
' ‘

. .

Q uart a v e ro sc i e nt i a no n mo di c um hab e t 35 I II , , .

Q ua t uo r s unt c o ns id e ran d a 35 I , ,
.

Q ua t uo r s u nt s a p ie n t ie i ni mi c a 7 4 ,
.

Q u e r i t u r c i rc a i n fl u e n t i a m c a us a m m u t rum c a us a a g a t 40 ,
.

Q ue r i tur d e fo rm a re s ult a nt e 7 6 , .

Qu e r i t u r p ri mo u t ru m d e na t u ra lib us p os s i t 1 b , .

Q u e s i v i s t i fili c a r i s s i m d e i n c a n t a t i o ne 2 2 n
e , .

Q u e s i v i s t i q u i s t r i u m l a p id u m n o b i li or 54 n , .

Q ui a d i x imus in s p c ulo s e c r to rum 5 3 e e ,

.

Quia omne s a x e s 1 7 b ,
.

Q ui a u ni ve rso rum [d iv e rso rum] q uo s d s pe c ulis 44 e ,

.

Q ui nque i gi t ur c o rp o rib us mund i 35 III ( De Coelesti bus iii ) , , ,

.

Q uo ni am aut e m i n o mni bus c a n si s a uc t o ri t as 36 ,

.

Qu o ni am c i rc a t e mpus e t ae vum 1 3 ,
.

Quo ni am ign o ra t is c o mmuni bus 6 5 ,

.

Q uo ni am in te llige re e t sc i re Is t e li b e r c u i us s ub s t a nt i v um
.

e s t c o rp u s m o b i l e I b ,
.

Q uo ni a m i nt e nt i o p ri nc i p al is e s t innue re 35 IV , ,

Q uo ni am i nt e r grad us s a pi e nt i ae 1 0 (Op M aj v ) ,
. . .

Q uo ni am occ as i o ne c uiusd am s e rmo ni s 48 , .

Q uo ni am p re c i p u a d e lec t a t io 1 0 (Op M aj v ,
. . .

Q uo ni am qued am glo se me n t io ne m fac iun t 33 n , .

Quoni am quidem i n te llige re e tc Hic p rim o que ri t ur ut rum , .

d e c o rp o re m ob i li 1 a ,
.

Qu oni am v e ro no n e xp re ss i 1 4 ,
.

RE LEGATI S i gi t u r [i n i nfe rnum ] quat uo r ca usis 1 0 (Op M aj ii ) , . . .

Ri ma tus s um m od e rno t e mpo re omni a fe re arm ar i a 2 3 n , .

SAL U TEM [quam ] t i bi am i c e k ar iss im e 5 2 , .

San c ti s sim o p at ri Cum t an t ae r e v e re nt i ae 1 2

.
, .

Sanc t iss imo p a t ri V es t r a e s api e n t i ae m agni t udi ni d uo

.

t ran smi si 1 3
,
.

S api e n t i ae p erfe c t a c o ns ide ra t io 1 0 (Op M aj i ) , . . .

Sc i e nd um es t qui a p hil o so p hi p e r 4 v e rb a 5 1
°r
, .

Sc i endum ve ro qu od vi s io 1 0 ( Op M aj v) , . . .

Sc i t o e n im quod omn e c orp us au t e s t e leme n tum 2 8 n , .

Sc rib o vobis qui vul ti s 46 ,

.

Sec re turn s e c re t orum n a t ur ae audi an t s ec re ti 5 4 ,

.

[ Sec un d a p ars d es ce ndi t ad l e ges 1 0 (Op M aj vu 2 , . . .

S e cundum Boe t hi um 7 1 n , .
 R OG E R BA CONS W ORKS 42 5

Se c undum quod s un t qu a t u o r e le me nt a , 12 n .

Sec undum re v mag . . Ro g e ri i B ac o ni s 7 4 , .

Se d h ae c h ac t e nus . Nun c v e ro i nferam s ec un dum , 10

M aj iv d) .
,
.

Sed h oc es t i n t e llige nd um ,
11 A
( ragm e nt )
f .

Se nesc e nt e mun do se ne sc un t homine s 2 3 ,

.

S e nes sun t b al ne and i 2 4 ,

.

S eq ui tur d e sc i e nt ia e x pe rim e nt ali , 13 .

Sic u t ab an t i qu is h ab e mu s auc tor ib us 6 8 , .

[ S i c u t a p ri n c i p io i s t i us o p e ri s 6 6 ( Alb Ma g D e I ,
. .
,

Si gnum es t i n p redi cam e nt o 39 ,

.

Si loca t is al iqui b us 7 , .

Somnus ergo e t vi gi li a d es c r ibun t ur 4 1 ,

.

S pec i es multiplic at a i n medi o 1 1 (A) ,

.

S pec ulum al che mi e q uod in c o rde me o 5 0 , .

S t i bi um se c undum p h ilo so p h o s 6 4 ,
.

Subs t ant i a i gi t ur ali a es t I t e m o mne ge nus 35 III

.
, , .

S ume ar ge nt um vi vum 2 1 , .

S umm a regiminis s e uum uni v e rs alis ,

24 .

S upe ri us q uide m di c t um e s t 1 0 (Op , . M aj i v f ) .

, .

Supp o n a t ur a b oc u lo , 1 7 a .

TALE N I UM mihi c re d it um 6 3
' ‘

.
,

Te rmi n at a p ar t e i n q ua i nv e s t ig av imus 35 III ( De Coel e stzbns v )

'

, , , .

T rt i a v e ro p ars sc i e n t i a e m o ral i s 1 3 (Op M aj v i i

[ e , . . .

Tes ta tur G e b a r quod t re s s un t o rdi ne s 5 7 , .

The b odi es o f al l t hi ngs b e i ng 5 5 ,

.

Ti t ul us aut em i s ti us li b ri 35 I I , ,
.

Tre s s un t o rdi nes med ic i n ar um 5 7 ,

.

Tri a u t ai t Empe d oc le s Suppo si t o quod he c sc ie n t i a d e c o rpore

.

mo bil i 2 , .

UT fac ili us fi an t orp o ra q ui nque 45

c , .

Ut rum sc i e n t i a n at ur alis Adden da ,

.

VE RB U M abb re vi atum v e rissimum , 21 .

Ve ri m a t he m at ic i c o nsid era ns s c i t us e t lo c a ,
10 (Op M aj . .

iv
Ve ri t a t e s d e m ag ni t udi n e 35 I I I , ,
.

V es t rae p e t i t i o ni res p o nd e o d ili ge n t e r Nam li c e t . na turae ,

18 .

V es trae s a p i e n t i a e mag ni t udi ni d uo t rans mi s i 1 3 , .

Visu [m] r e c t um e sse [es t] 1 7 a ,

.

Vul gus med ic orum n o n c o gnosc i t suam simplice m me dic inam , 28 .

 A DDENDA
1a (p . MS . Bo nc o mpagn i
i n Nard ucm s 1 52 (s e c . xv )
,

Ca t alo gu e p 6 0 n o w i n pos s es si o n o f Mess rs

,
. W ,
. .

We s le y So n e nt i t le d i n a lat e h and Rog er i Baconis ,

Commen tar i a c o nt ai ns Qu aes ti ones i n li bros vi i i P hy s i

,

co r um ( i n e Ut rum nat ura l i s s i t s c i e nt i a d e omn i bus

.

re b us c o ns id e ra ns b y j o h a n ne s B urid an us Cf . .

ed Pari s 1 5 0 9
.
,
.

11 ( A) ( p . Ro me : Vat i c a n Ot t o b La t 1 8 7 0 (se c xv )
A dd , . . .
,

ff 1 —48 a n n : nds u t i n l un a e t s t e llis Brid ges

‘
.
,
o . e ,

ii 5 5 0 ( t his a nd o t he r Vat i c an addi t i ons have be e n

.

ki nd ly s e nt b y Dr Pe l ze r ) . .

1 7a (p . A dd : R o me : V a t O t t o b 1 8 7 0 ff 7 0 . .
,
.
'

Tra cta tus d e spe cul i s a no n I nc Vi s um rec t um esse ,

. .

ex l s t up a o s i t a ac c e n d i t u r
p a pp .

20 , n . 1 (p . F or se e ms t o be &c .
,
re ad i s B reve bre vi a
ri u m i m: . hi mi e
A rs a lc d uo
21 (p . A dd Co mmunale 2 3 2 (sec xv )
: Are zzo : Bi bl . .
,

f . Ve r burn A bbrer i a l u m ; i ne Rec i pe ac e t um .

‘

ff 7 7 '
. Ta bul a voca bul or um Rogeri i B aconi s t i nc .

Arge nt um vi v um c o nge la t um — Cam br ai 92 0 f 1 1 5 , ,

.

( se c . xv ) .

9 (p . A dd Ox fo rd Exe t e r Co ll 3 5 f 46 .
,
.
'
(se c . xi v

an on .

6 3 (p . A dd : Rom e V a t La t 4 0 9 1 f 42
. .
,
. i ne . Tale nt um
mihi c re d i t ur ( Alb Magn us )
. .

76 (p . Add : MS V at i c an Bo rgh 1 14 H 1 1 9 1 20 .
,
.
,
.
”— '

Al be rt us
Cf We iss P ri mord i a nova e bi bl iographi ae B A lberti
.
,
.

M ag n i n o 1 2 7 ( 2 nd e d p ,
. .
,
.

O f or d x : H or ac e H ar t M A P ri nt e r t o t h e U n i v e rs i ty
. .
 UNI V ERS IT Y O F C A LIFO R N I A L IB R A RY

T h i s bo o k is D U E o n th e l as t d a te m p e d be l o w
s ta .

MAR

AUG 5 19®B

Wfl NI ?
JA

For m L 9 —2 5 m ( 13 4 2 8 3 8 4 444