“Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted… but to weigh and consider.”
- January 22, 1561 – April 9, 1626
- Born in England
- Philosopher, theologian, jurist, politician, aristocrat
- Proposed the “inductive method” that laid the foundations of modern science, and influenced later generations as the founder of British empiricism
Quote
“Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted… but to weigh and consider.”
Explanation
In this quote, Francis Bacon advises a more thoughtful and critical approach to reading and engaging with ideas. Instead of reading with the goal of simply disputing what you disagree with (“contradict and confute”), or blindly accepting everything as truth (“believe and take for granted”), Bacon encourages readers to read in order to weigh and consider the information carefully. This means engaging with the material in a way that involves reflection, evaluation, and reasoned judgment. Bacon suggests that true wisdom comes from thoughtful analysis rather than superficial acceptance or knee-jerk rejection of ideas.
Bacon’s perspective aligns with his broader philosophical approach, which emphasized the importance of critical thinking and empirical reasoning. During the Renaissance, there was a growing recognition of the need to question received wisdom and approach knowledge with a more scientific and inquisitive mindset. Bacon, as an advocate of the scientific method, saw critical inquiry as essential for discovering truths about the world. Reading, in his view, should be an active process of engagement rather than passive consumption of information.
In modern times, this quote resonates with contemporary approaches to education, debate, and personal growth. With the abundance of information available today, particularly through the internet, Bacon’s advice is more relevant than ever. Critical thinking is a cornerstone of modern education, where students are taught not just to absorb facts but to question, analyze, and synthesize them. Whether in academic pursuits, professional settings, or even personal development, Bacon’s insight encourages us to approach reading and learning as a way to engage thoughtfully with ideas and to build a deeper understanding, rather than simply accepting or rejecting them outright.
