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Work #1742

Opus Majus

Roger Bacon
c. 1267 · Latin
Encyclopedic treatise in seven parts, addressed to Pope Clement IV · Franciscan natural philosophy / medieval Latin science

Mathematics is the gate and key of the sciences — and nothing can be known without experience

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute Opus Majus
Time · Extent Both
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Finite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature not engaged
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Finite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Mediated
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Partial
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Active
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency Personal
Observer · Moral Authority Reason
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Finite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Non-conserved
Information · Granularity not engaged

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

Opus Majus

Both eternal (divine) and created temporal order. Linear, uni-directional within nature.

Space

Opus Majus

Finite, local, three-dimensional. The optics studies light propagation through physical media.

Matter

Opus Majus

Substantival, conserved, local. The multiplication of species describes forms propagating through matter.

Observer

Opus Majus

Embodied, active empirical observer. Knowledge requires direct sensory experience and mathematical analysis.

Energy

Opus Majus

Finite, substantival. Species-multiplication is a theory of energetic propagation through media.

Information

Opus Majus

Preserved in texts but fragile; Bacon advocates language-learning and textual correction.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

Opus Majus

The Opus Majus advocates experimental science but was composed for the Pope as a programme for the reform of Christian learning. The tension between empirical method and ecclesiastical authority runs through the entire work.