Francis Bacon (1561-1626) was an English philosopher and statesman who served as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England under King James I. Stuart. A great scholar and an initiate of many ancient schools of wisdom, Bacon argued for the importance of Natural Philosophy, guided by scientific method, and his works remained influential throughout the Scientific Revolution.
Francis Bacon's alleged connection to the Rosicrucians and Freemasonry has been widely discussed by authors and scholars in many books. Although there is no substantial evidence of Bacon's affiliation with Freemasonry, there are several elements that connect him with the Rosicrucian brotherhood and the highly secret Pythagorean Order.
In Of the Colours of Good and Evil, the Francis Bacon's essay which we propose to our readers today, written in 1597, the philosopher explores the nuanced ways in which goodness and evil manifest, arguing that they exist in degrees and can be understood through various "colors" or aspects. He suggests that while a thing may be generally considered good or bad, its individual components or "excellencies" can be evaluated differently.
In essence, Of the Colours of Good and Evil is a philosophical exploration of the complex and often paradoxical nature of good and evil, suggesting that a complete understanding requires considering the nuances and various "colors" through which they are manifested.