The Narrative of Technological Advancement
In today’s world, the narrative of technological advancement unfolds with an almost unwavering belief. Yet, we often overlook the fact that this story has a significant author. The Nobel Committee awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics to Joel Mokyr, who isn’t merely a historian. He highlights the influence of a 17th-century English statesman—Francis Bacon—whose ideas, though not tied to any inventions, managed to reshape the world profoundly. Mokyr suggests that our narrative of prosperity can be traced back to Bacon.
More specifically, it begins with an image from his 1620 engraving, “Novum Organum.” This piece shows a ship navigating past the Pillars of Hercules into unfamiliar territory, accompanied by the motto, “Many will travel, and knowledge will increase.” This wasn’t merely a prediction; it was a call to action. Before Bacon, knowledge was predominantly viewed through the lens of classical study. He contended that this approach led nowhere and posited that knowledge should result in tangible outputs, aiming not just for understanding but for gaining “control over creation” for the “salvation of human property.” In essence, Ipsi Scientia Potestas Est, or knowledge is power.
This sparked a feedback loop pivotal to modernity, where scientific ideas fueled new technologies, which in turn sparked further scientific inquiry.
Mokyr describes this as the “Baconian Program,” a philosophical shift that transformed humanity’s engagement with nature. Nature won’t simply be accepted; instead, it’s treated as a reservoir of secrets to be uncovered and harnessed. Bacon suggested “setting aside” nature to force it to reveal its laws. The aim was practicality, achieved by merging rational thought with empirical observation—connecting research and craftsmanship. In his “New Atlantis,” he envisioned a research institute called “Salomon’s House,” dedicated to invention. As Mokyr notes, Bacon was a “cultural entrepreneur,” selling visions of a future.
This vision caught on. From the mid-1600s to the 1700s, the Baconian framework became fundamental for Europe’s intellectual elite. The Royal Society of London, established in 1660, embraced Bacon as its guiding figure, prioritizing experimentation and measurement over mere belief. The network of intellectuals in the Republic of Letters disseminated practical knowledge throughout Europe, culminating in the French Encyclopedia, which aimed to catalog and distribute all human knowledge—from mining techniques to political thoughts. The belief that knowledge sharing could foster progress became widely accepted, leading to what’s termed the “industrial enlightenment,” a movement designed not just for improvement but for its active creation.
The Industrial Revolution, as Mokyr asserts, wasn’t merely a result of capital and coal; it was a profound intellectual milestone rooted in this cultural shift. Take James Watt, for instance; his enhancements to the steam engine were not mere happenstance. He emerged from a culture that interwove scientific theories of heat and pressure with practical mechanics. His innovation wasn’t solitary genius, but a fulfillment of Bacon’s vision to merge “know-how” with “know-how.” This continuous feedback loop—scientific theories inspiring new technologies—has led to a sustainable and exponentially growing economic landscape.
America took this engine and amplified it. Benjamin Franklin, the quintessential Baconian, exemplified practical ingenuity as an inventor and scientist. The founding spirit of the nation was steeped in promises of new geographic and scientific horizons. By the 20th century, this Baconian ethos was institutionalized. Vannevar Bush’s post-World War II advocacy for government-funded basic research painted science as an “infinite frontier,” akin to Bacon’s ship venturing into the unknown. The Manhattan Project, the moon landing, and the advent of microchips validated a 400-year-old idea. The smartphone you carry is, in a way, a compact Salomon’s House; it embodies centuries of gathered knowledge translated into practical utility.
However, we must also consider the implications of this narrative. While the Baconian Program has afforded us immense wealth, it has also conditioned us to perceive nature primarily as a resource for exploitation based on our own declared needs. The very principles that brought us advancements like vaccines and the internet have also led to a disconnection from the natural world. Bacon’s forward-thinking belief in progress was infectious, yet it often overshadowed alternative narratives that prioritize contentment and harmony over domination. Mokyr’s significant insight lies in revealing that modern economies aren’t just outcomes of natural forces but of historical choices. He reminds us that the contemporary world we experience was once merely a vision—effectively, we are living out a 17th-century dream.
