Bacon's+The+New+Atlantis

//The New Atlantis// was created in 1623, by English philosopher Francis Bacon. It is strange why a philosopher wrote a book that focuses heavily on science. The times in when Bacon lived explains his focus. England during the 17th century was experiencing a scientific revolution. It was a time when scientists from all over the Europe were very active. Although he was not a scientist, Francis Bacon was a lover and supporter of science. Because of his love of science, he might have written //The New Atlantis// to express his enthusiasm for science and its role in human life.

The society of //The New Atlantis// as described by Francis Bacon is far more advanced that those of other utopian societies and has some unique characteristics compared to societies that are described in More's //Utopia// and Campanella's //The City of the Sun//. The island that is described in //The New Atlantis// is called Bensalem. The inhabitants of this island are advanced in field of science and have different values compared to other utopian societies. Although it is incomplete, //The New Atlantis// still informs the reader how advanced the citizens in Bensalme are in the field of science. The society in //The New Atlantis// focuses on science and humanity while the society in //Utopia// is more focused on government and politics. Because society in //Utopia// emphasizes the role of government and the equalities among the people, it does not accept the concept of private property, which therefore gives it a characteristic of a communist society. This applies to Campanella's //The City of the Sun// and most of other utopian works of the Renaissance. Additionally, the society in //Utopia// seems very ideal rather then being realistic. But //The New Atlantis,// on other hand, is different. The society in //The New Atlantis// is more realistic compared to those of other works. Realistically, the society in //The New Atlantis// does accept the concept of private property. Furthermore, the society in //The New Atlantis// is very optimistic compared to that of //Utopia.// Because of their accomplishments in science, Atlantians give the impression that they believe that their future will be bright. If More's //Utopia// is considered as moral utopia, Bacon's //The New Atlantis// is considered as scienctific utopia.

But even if the society in //The New Atlantis// is realistic compared that of More's //Utopia//, it is still characterized as ideal. The society in Bensalem is obviously advanced in science. Its knowledge of science is equal ot or advanced beyond that of ours. But the difference between our society and theirs is that they still have good morals. Although the knowledge of science enables us to live easily, at the same time, it causes some problems. Because we cannot always handle our knowledge of science, the rate of crime has increased and crimes have become sophisticated. Also some people have become materialistic, greedy, and prideful. Some people start to think that money is more important than people. But these problems cannot be seen in the society in Bensalem where people are both moral and well mannered.

//The New Atlantis// is one of the great utopian works. Futhermore, the society that is described in //The New Atlantis// is a society that we have to learn since it sets up a good example of how scienctific and civilized people are supposed to act.

Posted by Bensalem