Specialization of scientists by Francis Bacon — различия между версиями

Версия 13:01, 27 февраля 2021

Sir Francis Bacon was founder of the scientific method, which is described in the book "Novum Organum". And in another book, "New Atlantis", among the utopian discourse on the state system, he envisioned the ideal organisation of Salomon's House - a research university in both applied and pure sciences, not only as concept, but also with detail description of specialization of labour. Forty years later this pattern has been realized in the form of the Royal Society - the world's first research organization.

The construction seemed to me interesting and I decided to draw it on the diagram. I use ArchiMate, which describes the activities through business functions that are assigned to actors, thus describes the division of labor. The functions are combined in the process, with the organized transfer of the product in the form of a business object and its realization - an artifact. Part of the organization provides to the outside in the form of products that bring a certain value (value), the value of service defines the meaning of work. Compared with the description made me an additional functional group of actors represented both departments.

The ArchiMate notation was simplified and skipped some levels and elements, such as business role of business, through which busness function assign to actors, and business services that organize business function to create a product, but in general presentation is preserved.

But the main sence of diagram is not in notation, but in the concept. Try to compare it with your views on the current division of labor in science. I think, after Sir Francis Bacon this concept only envolved, but not reengineering.

Original description from New Atlantis

For the several employments and offices of our fellows; we have twelve that sail into foreign countries, under the names of other nations, (for our own we conceal); who bring us the books, and abstracts, and patterns of experiments of all other parts. These we call Merchants of Light.

We have three that collect the experiments which are in all books. These we call Depredators.

We have three that collect the experiments of all mechanical arts; and also of liberal sciences; and also of practices which are not brought into arts. These we call Mystery-men.

We have three that try new experiments, such as themselves think good. These we call Pioneers or Miners.

We have three that draw the experiments of the former four into titles and tables, to give the better light for the drawing of observations and axioms out of them. These we call Compilers.

We have three that bend themselves, looking into the experiments of their fellows, and cast about how to draw out of them things of use and practise for man's life, and knowledge, as well for works as for plain demonstration of causes, means of natural divinations, and the easy and clear discovery of the virtues and parts of bodies. These we call Dowry-men or Benefactors.

Then after divers meetings and consults of our whole number, to consider of the former labours and collections, we have three that take care, out of them, to direct new experiments, of a higher light, more penetrating into nature than the former. These we call Lamps.

We have three others that do execute the experiments so directed, and report them. These we call Inoculators.

Lastly, we have three that raise the former discoveries by experiments into greater observations, axioms, and aphorisms. These we call Interpreters of Nature.

I thank Peter Shchedrovitsky, from whom I heard about this work of Francis Bacon - he cited it as an example in his lectures on the division of labor and Maxim Osovsky, who prompted me to translate this article into English.