What do you think?
Rate this book
Magical Letter of Roger Bacon
An influential writing by the "Father" of experimental science and adherent to the alchemical way.
39 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1982
34 people want to read
About the author
Roger Bacon
181 books45 followersborn perhaps 1214
died 1292
Opus Majus (1267) of English friar and philosopher Roger Bacon, known as "Doctor Mirabilis," argued that Christian studies encompass the sciences.
This Franciscan, a member of Order of Friars Minor, whose scholastic accolade means "wonderful teacher," placed considerable emphasis on nature through empirical methods. The works of Aristotle and later pseudo-works like those of Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham of Egypt inspire the modern method, which he in Europe earliest advocated, as people, mainly starting in the 19th century, sometimes credit him. From books, he, essentially a medieval thinker, obtained much of his "experiment" in the scholastic tradition, as more recent reevaluations emphasize. Reception of work of Bacon often reflects the central concerns and controversies over centuries, according to as a survey.
died 1292
Opus Majus (1267) of English friar and philosopher Roger Bacon, known as "Doctor Mirabilis," argued that Christian studies encompass the sciences.
This Franciscan, a member of Order of Friars Minor, whose scholastic accolade means "wonderful teacher," placed considerable emphasis on nature through empirical methods. The works of Aristotle and later pseudo-works like those of Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham of Egypt inspire the modern method, which he in Europe earliest advocated, as people, mainly starting in the 19th century, sometimes credit him. From books, he, essentially a medieval thinker, obtained much of his "experiment" in the scholastic tradition, as more recent reevaluations emphasize. Reception of work of Bacon often reflects the central concerns and controversies over centuries, according to as a survey.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 18, 2015
How is one to rate this book, considering one literally does not believe a word it says? Or more accurately, considering one scarcely understands a word: "Another Secret I shall shew you, you must prepare Argentum vivum by mortifying it with the vapour of Tin for Pearls, and with the vapour of Lead for the Stone Iberus; then let it be ground with desiccating things, and Attramentis, and the like, as is said, and let there be an assation".
The parts that I do understand I know to be sheer nonsense. I do appreciate and find it downright impressive that the author never even doubts what he is saying. As a historical document this works both ways. On one hand, it sheds light on the enormous progress made by mankind in the pursuit of knowledge over the centuries. Man's unquenchable thirst is palpable on the pages of this book and it shows that man is desperate to find answers even at the risk of being dead wrong. On the other hand, it is instructive to see that these old sources do not necessarily contain some deeper wisdom, as one would be led to believe by reading theosophists like Helena Blavatsky, whose book I am also reading on the side. Or maybe I am just unable to see that wisdom. I mean, it is possible. In which case this book helps me to realize my own limitations, which is generally thought to be commendable.
The parts that I do understand I know to be sheer nonsense. I do appreciate and find it downright impressive that the author never even doubts what he is saying. As a historical document this works both ways. On one hand, it sheds light on the enormous progress made by mankind in the pursuit of knowledge over the centuries. Man's unquenchable thirst is palpable on the pages of this book and it shows that man is desperate to find answers even at the risk of being dead wrong. On the other hand, it is instructive to see that these old sources do not necessarily contain some deeper wisdom, as one would be led to believe by reading theosophists like Helena Blavatsky, whose book I am also reading on the side. Or maybe I am just unable to see that wisdom. I mean, it is possible. In which case this book helps me to realize my own limitations, which is generally thought to be commendable.
Displaying 1 of 1 review