Roger Bacon
Early advocate of scientific method
Medieval
influential
65 sayings
Sayings by Roger Bacon
The present state of philosophy is deplorable, and needs to be reformed.
c. 1267
— Opus Majus, Part II, Chapter I
Controversial
Unverifiable
The true knowledge is hidden from the common people, and is only revealed to a few.
c. 1267
— Opus Majus, Part I, Chapter I
Controversial
Unverifiable
Theories are of no use unless they can be verified by experiment.
1267
— Direct challenge to scholasticism
Controversial
Unverifiable
There are four chief obstacles to grasping truth: frail authority, custom, the opinion of the unlearned crowd, and the concealment of ignorance by ostentation.
1267
— From 'Opus Majus', attacking medieval education
Controversial
Unverifiable
Mathematics is the door and the key to the sciences.
1268
— Provocative prioritization of math over theology
Controversial
Unverifiable