THE COMMON PRINCIPLES OF MATHEMATICS

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HERE begins the volume of true mathematics, consisting of six books. The first is concerning the Common Principles of Mathematics and contains three main parts. The first part contains certain common introductions to the inner workings of mathematics and has five distinctions. The first distinction compares mathematics to metaphysics. It separates mathematics from false mathematics Bacon uses "false mathematics" to refer to superstitious practices or magic that were often confused with scientific calculation. and provides its purpose. It defines the books of this entire science and eliminates the universal causes of human error in this science as in others. It also provides the praise and utility of mathematics in two ways, leaving the remaining matters regarding the praise and utility of mathematics to the second distinction and the others. This first distinction has seven chapters. In the first chapter, three things are accomplished which I listed at the beginning. First, I compare mathematics to metaphysics. Second, I compare it to magic. Third, I repeat the number and order of the books that make up the completeness of this science. Throughout this entire volume, as in my other volumes of philosophy, I wish to follow this rule: the parts, distinctions, and chapters should be prefaced with a brief description of their contents so the reader may more easily understand what is being discussed. For greater clarity, I wish that in each individual chapter, the main point being addressed should begin with capital letters and be marked with red ink original: "cum minio annotari". Minium is a red lead pigment used in medieval manuscripts to highlight headings and important sections. at the start of the lines.

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It is necessary for anyone treating any specific science to compare it frequently with the science common to all, which is called metaphysics. The proper role of metaphysics is to provide the division of all the great sciences along with their differences and origins. It assigns what is proper to each, defines their order, identifies who discovered them, and notes when and where they were found. It also verifies their principles. Every specific science assumes its principles exist and