New Atlantis
We discussed during class the pairing of Christianity with Science in the House of Solomon. At the time I felt these two clashed, and still feel so, but I think I may better understand now why the House of Solomon might have actually "introduced" Christianity to the society's people.
Foremost, the reason I think there is conflict is that one of the messages or ideals of this Utopian society seems to be that humans' desires and indulgences should not be resisted, but rather fulfilled, and such is allowed through science and progress. This contrasts what other philosophers in the past have supported, such as a higher moral or Divine state where we are free from greed and want. But Christianity, as I understand, pushes people to a more Divine understanding. Thus, here is where I saw conflict between the two, as the scientists in Bensalem desire to achieve the power of divinity (which is much more than simply a state of it).
However, this conflict can be appeased when one understands that Bacon is pairing religion with science to make it almost more acceptable and beautiful. The House of Solomon may have introduced Christianity in order to bring about the effect of a moral sense for the people, although the government here seems to be somewhat corrupt, which is apparent from people who rush quickly out, etc.
Thus, applying this to the real world, the only way for science to become accepted among humanity was to shield it with religion, so that people who may be opposed to the advancements of science would feel that religion is justifying the progress and new advancements.
Foremost, the reason I think there is conflict is that one of the messages or ideals of this Utopian society seems to be that humans' desires and indulgences should not be resisted, but rather fulfilled, and such is allowed through science and progress. This contrasts what other philosophers in the past have supported, such as a higher moral or Divine state where we are free from greed and want. But Christianity, as I understand, pushes people to a more Divine understanding. Thus, here is where I saw conflict between the two, as the scientists in Bensalem desire to achieve the power of divinity (which is much more than simply a state of it).
However, this conflict can be appeased when one understands that Bacon is pairing religion with science to make it almost more acceptable and beautiful. The House of Solomon may have introduced Christianity in order to bring about the effect of a moral sense for the people, although the government here seems to be somewhat corrupt, which is apparent from people who rush quickly out, etc.
Thus, applying this to the real world, the only way for science to become accepted among humanity was to shield it with religion, so that people who may be opposed to the advancements of science would feel that religion is justifying the progress and new advancements.
posted by Amit at 3:05 PM
4 Comments:
I found the connection of Christianity and science somewhat disconcerting aswell, and agree with your last paragraph on religion shielding science in New Atlantis, and eventually, in the Royal Society. Bacon's joining of the two seems almost sloppy, or at least unconvincing from our culture's current secular viewpoint. I kept waiting to find out the hidden evil of Bensalem (as would occur in modern Utopia tales, where nothing's ever as good as it seems) but none showed itself, even with all the secrecy and unexplained disapperances. I wonder why Bacon would include such things and have the character's mindlessly accept.
Katie--I'm interested that you use secular to describe the contemporary moment. I'm wondering, however, if we really are in a secular age, especially considering the state of religion in the U.S. and abroad right now (debates over Islam, powerful sects of fundamental Christianity in the U.S., the Palestine situation, etc...).
I'm also not convinced that religious concerns and debates do not still influence science. Just recently, a school banned the teaching of evolution (presumably for "religious" reasons)
oops one more thing---I wonder why, then, we so quickly deem this the secular age? What could be behind this?
I think I called it secular do to the popular throwing-around of the term that goes on. Religion and ethics continue to act as propulsive forces but even so, many mediums apply 'secular' to our culture, as a either a positive or negative development. I think that its a good debate going on right now, since we've been trying to convince ourselves of our neutrality but cases such as you mentioned keep popping up.
Another interesting thought: neutrality not only in religion but sex as well. Harvey Mansfield has written recently on the decline of 'manliness' happening concurrently with the rise of the 'gender-neutral society'. His book on the subject (Manliness) actaully speaks of science in disdain at times, claiming it tries to pinpoint aspects of sex that can't measured. "The fact that science cannot speak of manliness by its name tells us something about science as well as manliness: science wants to be exact and manliness wants to boast" (32 Manliness). Another thought: in the Chronicle article I cited earlier, scientists are referred to as robots. Perhaps this has something to do with supposed detachment from ethics some fear scientists to experience (they might hold biotechnology, stem cell research, cloning, as evidence).
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