DISTRIBUTION OF THE WORK 



IN SIX PARTS 



1. Survey and Extension of the Sciences ; or, the Advancement of Learning. 



2. Novum Organum; or, Precepts for the Interpretation of Nature. 



3. Phenomena of the Universe ; or, Natural and Experimental History, on which 



to found Philosophy. 



4. Ladder of the Understanding. 



5. Precursors, or Anticipators, of the Second Philosophy. 



6. Second Philosophy ; or, Active Science. 



WE DIVIDE the whole of the work into six parts: the 

 first whereof gives the substance, or general description of 

 the knowledge which mankind at present possess; choosing 

 to dwell a little upon things already received, that we may 

 the easier perfect the old, and lead on to new ; being equally 

 inclined to cultivate the discoveries of antiquity, as to strike 

 out fresh paths of science. In classing the sciences, we 

 comprehend not only the things already invented and. 

 known, but also those omitted and wanted; for the intel 

 lectual globe, as well as the terrestrial, has both its frosts 

 and deserts. It is therefore no wonder if we sometimes 

 depart from the common divisions. For an addition, while 

 it alters the whole, must necessarily alter the parts and their 

 sections; whereas the received divisions are only fitted to 

 the received sum of the sciences, as it now stands. With 

 regard to the things we shall note as defective; it will be 

 our method to give more than the bare titles, or short heads 

 of what we desire to have done ; with particular care, where 

 the dignity or difficulty of the subject requires it, either 

 to lay down the rules for effecting the work, or make an 

 attempt of our own, by way of example, or pattern, of the 

 whole. For it concerns our own character, no less than 

 the advantage of others, to know that a mere capricious 

 idea has not presented the subject to our mind, and that 

 all we desire and aim at is a wish. For our designs are 

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