Orpheus and 'second nature' in Francis Bacon

While Francis Bacon’s interpretations of mythological figures such as those of Prometheus, Proteus and Vulcan have received quite a bit of attention by scholars, the myth of Orpheus shows a wealth of meanings almost entirely still to be explored. In particular we argue that Aristotle’s ethical notion of “second nature” plays a role in how Bacon frames this myth. By parallel reading De Augmentis scientiarum, I, 41 and De Sapientia Veterum, 11, it becomes evident that Bacon 1) extends to animals the notion of “altera natura”, by 2) showing the civilizing effects of order and harmony and 3) assigns to moral and civil philosophy the political function of letting men’s second nature emerge as an attitude to be pacific and social. In doing so he 4) subscribes to a cyclical view of the motion of history, menaced by the recurring falls in barbarian times. Harmony set by philosophy seems therefore to possess a binding power (vinculum) that is both fragile, compelling and liberating: the underlying concept of “nature bound” helps explaining why in Orpheus’ principle of harmony Bacon can trace the activity of both natural and moral philosophy.