Virtues and Collaborative Research in Solomon’s House Virtułi Şi Cercetare Comună În Casa Lui Solomon

Francis Bacon’s New Atlantis seems to be the place where man regained dominion over nature and at the center of this island we find Solomon’s House, a scientific society, effecting ‘all possible things’. But this unfinished work tells us very little about the composition, structure and selection procedure Bacon had in mind for his ideal society. Equally unclear is the reason why the projected advancement of learning depended so much on the existence of such a ‘scientific’ community. My aim is to show, by reading the New Atlantis in conjunction with other writings, that the collaborative research among the members of this society is needed for the progress of human knowledge. And because it is impossible to separate moral and natural philosophy, the moral character is the criterion for the selection of those who can make natural philosophy.