ds of trying to understand the things around us. He called for the use of the "inductive method" of acquiring knowledge. This method relied on particular observations to arrive at generalizations. By studying particular trees, such as apple trees and peach trees, scholars could induce knowledge about trees in general. In 1620 Bacon wrote New Organon, which expressed his views on the new Scientific Method. He wrote, it is idle to expect any great advancement in science from the Super inducing and in a grafting of new things upon old. We must begin anew from the very foundations, unless we should result for ever a circle with mean progress..." , which means scientists should have used the new scientific method instead of the traditional methods of Aristotle and Plato. Bacon used a metaphor, using insects, to show the three types of scientific methods. The first was like the ant that piled up tons of data but did nothing with it. The second was like the spider that wove exquisite and complex webs. The webs were just ideas of the scientist without any observation behind them. The third, which Bacon preferred, was the honeybee that took things from nature and mixed it with the stuff of its own being to produce something sweet and useful to humankind. In other words the scientist using this type of method gathered information by observation and experimentation, which is followed by a rational interpretation of the results. This is called the empirical method. Bacon felt that through use of his empirical method of science and with the support of the government funds scientists, like the ones at Gresham College, could make great strives in improving the lives of the population and making the nation powerful and rich. Gresham College in London, England was an institution funded by Sir Thomas Gresham, which had close ties with the Royal Navy. Many instruments were developed there which aided in accurate time keeping and observation of the ...
