Francis Bacon's theory was that scientific knowledge must come from the careful observation of nature filtered through inductive reasoning. His philosophy of science was revolutionary for Bacon's time when the most widely accepted authority on truth and knowledge of the universe was the Bible and the Church.

The passage on superstition by Francis Bacon is a commentary on how superstition is a dangerous and irrational belief system that can lead to harm and manipulation. Bacon argues that superstition is a reproach to God because it is an unworthy opinion of the divine and can lead to the degradation of human society.

In 1621 he was arrested and charged with bribery. After pleading guilty, he was heavily fined and sentenced to a prison term in the Tower of London. Although the fine was later waived and Bacon spent only four days in the Tower, he was never allowed to sit in Parliament or hold political office again.