Once again, the need for a balance

It is interesting that Bacon attempts to extract metaphorical, scientific meaning from ancient Greek myths.  His description of these myths as amorphous and highly malleable was also intriguing in light of his own attempts at identifying a sort of objective meaning within them.  It seems that while he is convinced of the legitimacy of the scientific meanings he identifies, he is also aware that nothing is definitive or certain with regard to myth.

Meanwhile, I found it even more interesting that Bacon's interpretation of myth further illustrates the need for a balance between the scientific and literary communities that we've been discussing.  In fact, Bacon himself refers to the utility of myth in conveying scientific principles in his preface:  "And even now if one wish to let new light on any subject into men's minds, and that without offence or harshness, he must still go the same way and call in the aid of similitudes" (698).

In general, Bacon tends to use myth as a means of illustrating various limits and regulations that must be considered when pursuing scientific knowledge.  In this way, he uses a humanistic, literary perspective to temper and regulate its scientific counterpart.