Francis Bacon's New Atlantis

Early Modern Essay: New Atlantis 1626

In the center of Francis Bacon’s New Atlantis is a quest for the truth of knowledge regarding all of God’s creations. An exclusive house of research founded on the even more exclusive island of Bensalem carries out this quest. Salomon’s House in Bacon’s utopia represents a society of a higher order which demonstrates the true nature of God’s creations as recognized through empirical observations and research, yet still in accordance with Bacon’s devout Christian beliefs.

Upon first arriving in Bensalem, it is interesting to observe that both parties, the inhabitants of Bensalem and Bacon’s crew, bring a sort of comfort to one another in the fact that they are of the Christian faith. It is as if by solely associating with Christianity the crew is declared permissible and allowed entrance and stay within Bensalem. It makes me wonder as to whether the crew would have been grated admission into Bensalem at all if they had not been Christians. However, knowing that the heart of institution in this “new Atlantis” is the research and discovery of the truth of knowledge, it seems unlikely that the citizens of Bensalem would hold such prejudice ideals. It seems that they would be welcoming to those considered “the other” (religiously) and in fact be intrigued to observe the ways in which people from elsewhere, holding various beliefs, think and feel in regard to the world and what they consider to be the truth of knowledge. With that being said, I can also see how given that Bensalem is a religiously centered land revolving around Christian ideals, they would not want to contaminate their pure and enlightened country by allowing those who do not share their beliefs to enter.

Shortly after Bacon’s arrival to Bensalem, he and is crew are approached by the Christian priest and assured that all of their wants will be accommodated during their stay. After discussing the religious affiliation of Bensalem, it occurs to Bacon to wonder...