Francis Bacon’s Essays explore the darker side of human nature. 400 years on, they still instruct and unnerve
- Written by Matthew Sharpe, Associate Professor in Philosophy, Australian Catholic University
In our guides to the classics, experts explain key literary works.
It’s 400 years since the publication of the complete edition of British philosopher Francis Bacon’s Essays. Not without pride, Bacon (1561-1626) muses in the preface that his little book’s Latin version might “last, as long as books last.” The Essays...