Francis Bacon
Historical figure
English · 16th–17th century
English philosopher, statesman, and essayist, known for his essays and for advancing the scientific method.
Connection to Taylor Swift
Uncle Jerry quotes Bacon's essay line 'What is truth? Jesting, Pilate asked, and did not wait for an answer' while discussing the Pilate hand-washing allusion in Would've, Could've, Should've.
Notable Works
- Essays (including 'Of Truth'), The Advancement of Learning, Novum Organum
Appears in the Archive
Context within the Archive
Of Truth (essay)
Angela cites Bacon's essay alongside the Pontius Pilate / John 18:38 discussion in EP03. The Bacon line reframes Pilate's question as performative, Pilate asks the question without waiting for an answer, dramatising the evasion-of-accountability register that the Pilate motif carries in WCSCSS.
Podcast analysis