In this blog post on “Of Studies”, I will discuss the following points:

Of Studies Summary

Studies here mean the collective studies that a person does. The main idea of “Of Studies” by Francis Bacon is the benefits of studies. Reading helps readers to cope with diverse situations.

Reading also enhances intellect and cures restraints on the minds of readers.

The essay provides the proper method for reading different subjects and discusses their benefits. For instance, history makes men wise; poetry witty; the mathematics subtle; philosophy deep, etc.

In short, the theme of “Of Studies” is how books benefit a reader tremendously in different ways. 

Line by Line Explanation

Three Important Uses of Studies

At the outset, Francis Bacon states the three beneficial purposes of studies: delight, ornament, and ability. 

The first utility is reading delights the reader. Reading in privateness and retiring is worthwhile, since it provides immense pleasure. 

For instance, if a reader enjoys fiction like Paulo Coelho’sThe Alchemist. Then the quest for treasure would entertain him. The journey of Santiago from Andalusia to the pyramid is quite delightful. Thus, studies not only compensate for boredom but also provide enormous pleasure to the reader.

The second purpose is it adds ornament to discourse. In a written or spoken discussion, studies help a well-read person to exhibit his knowledge more efficiently than an average person does .

For instance, in Of Truth, Of Love, and Of Friendship, Bacon heavily uses Latin phrases in these essays. It shows his excellence in Latin. Therefore, Bacon uses it for ornament in his writing. 

Studies also improve the judgment ability of a reader and the arrangement of things. One can be an expert without studies. However, there is a distinction between an expert and a learned man. An expert can execute his plan and even judge a situation, but a learned man can perform better by giving advice, making plans, and managing things. Therefore, a learned man is better than an expert. 

I have discussed an example in the video below. 

The Effect of Excessive Studies

In these three ways, studies serve a reader. However, too much study is dangerous. The reason is excessive readers lead a sedentary lifestyle. When a reader sits for long, the immobility makes the body sluggish.

Similarly, using decorated words and knowledge excessively in discourse does the opposite. Too much use of ornaments would show a learned man ostentatious. Bacon also states that making judgments based on bookish knowledge is the humor of a scholar.

Consideration and application of the learning without understanding the practical world are inaccurate. A reader must be able to distinguish between theory and practical application while judging.

In each situation, Bacon emphasizes excess of anything is unwelcome. Therefore, a learner must maintain an equilibrium between studying and other activities, ornament and argument, and theory and practical.

Bacon repeats his principal argument that studies hone human nature and experience perfects it. Bacon draws an analogy between natural plants and the natural abilities of a person.

We cut the plants, which could grow in any direction, for growth. 

Studies nurture the natural abilities of man. It enhances the comprehension of the reader. But that remains unfulfilled until the person gains experience related to the subject of study. It means knowledge and experience make reading complete.

Views of Studies

Studies benefit a reader in diverse ways. However, not all men admire it. For instance, crafty men contempt studies. They think it does not help individuals. They deal with different situations of life without studies. Therefore, for them, studies are of no use.

On the contrary, simple men admire studies. The simple men are aware of the benefits of studies and are amazed to see a knowledgeable man.

On the other hand, wise men take the best out of their studies by using theoretical knowledge practically. Books do not tell readers about their pragmatic aspects. One gains the ability to implement knowledge in learning through observation. Bacon emphasizes that having bookish knowledge is not enough. Our theoretical information is complete only when we use it in real life. 

Real Method of Studies

To get the most out of books, Francis Bacon suggests one method of study. One should not read to prove others wrong. The reader looks for points that he can use in an argument. While reading with this motive, the reader loses what the book offers. 

The reader must not also believe what the book says or take everything every word for granted. This approach is also problematic because instead of using his mind, the reader does nothing except imbibe the knowledge theoretically. 

A reader should not also read just for discourse. He will be concerned about the points that he can use in the discussion. As a result, learning becomes superficial. 

Contrary to these approaches, a reader should try to comprehend the message or argument/s of the writer. For example, while reading Essays (1597) by Francis Bacon, we should not read it to confuse someone, blindly follow it, and read it wholly for discourse. The best approach would be to consider what Bacon says on different subjects in Essays. 

I would like to add here that the best practice of reading is syntopical reading. Mortimer Adler states, in How to Read a Book, syntopical reading or comparative reading is analyzing a subject based on a man’s studies of books on the same topic.

Not Every Book is Same

However, Bacon reminds us we cannot follow this method everywhere. He says,

We need to read some books (for entertainment) partially. We can skim the parts of these books.

We need to read some other books plainly. They are necessary for memorization so that we can use them in real life.

There are only a few books that need our complete attention. We need to read the book with constant focus and effort. In these cases, analytical reading is critical.

Bacon also suggests that we can study abridged versions and summaries of unimportant books. These books are like distilled water, which has no significance for later use. Therefore, it is up to the reader to decide the correct method.

Benefits of Studies

Bacon also discusses the effects of reading, discussion, and writing. He says, 

“reading makes a full man; conference leads to a ready man while writing makes an exact man.” (Bacon 1)

Reading provides a reader with knowledge. When one reads books one after the other, knowledge expands. In this way, it fills the reader with wisdom.

Like reading, continuous engagement in the discussion makes a well-read person good at the discourse. In conferences, the practice of using knowledge instantly and constant practice makes one prepared for any topic to talk about.

Furthermore, if the reader notes down his thought or opinion on a book, he can revisit them later without pressuring the memory.

If one does not do any of them, he needs to pretend to know things if he reads little. Otherwise, his lack of knowledge will become apparent. Moreover, if one does not know the topic, he needs to have a presence of mind.

And if a person does not write much, he needs to have significant memory because he must rely on his memory for everything he thinks.

Benefits of studying different subjects

Francis Bacon restates the benefits of reading diverse fields of knowledge. Francis Bacon mentions,

For an explanation, watch the video below-

Video

Further, Bacon says that the way a particular physical exercise is appropriate for a distinct disease of the body, similarly proper studies can improve intelligence. 

For instance, for a distracted mind, mathematics would be fit to improve concentration. While doing mathematics, we need to focus. If the mind wanders at the moment, then it would spoil everything. Thus, it is a practice to do a particular task with focus.

If the mind finds it hard to differentiate between matters, then studying the philosophers and theologians of the Middle Ages would be beneficial as we consider them for their logical distinctions.

Studying lawyers’ cases would be the right thing to do if one wants to improve their reasoning skills. So, for such flaws of mind, reading has the solution.

Of Studies Theme

The theme of “Of Studies” is the benefits of reading. I have made a video where I have focused on the theme of the essay. You can watch the video below.

Conclusion

In the essay, Bacon mainly discusses the benefits of reading. He also discusses the benefits of reading different subjects. However, he does not support idle sitting. He makes his arguments balanced by focusing on the experience. For Bacon, we complete studies only with experience.

Bibliography

1. Adler, Mortimer J and Charles Van Doren. How to Read a Book. Simon & Schuster, 2014.
2. Bacon, Francis. “Of Truth.” Francis Bacon: The Essays, edited by John Pitcher, Penguin Books, 1985, pp. 209, 210.
3. Coelho, Paulo. The Alchemist. Harper Collins, 2012.