(CZ) Bacon Verulamský a Komenského didaktika
(EN) Bacon Verulamský a Komenského didaktika

In the comeniological literatuře there is a widespread view that it was not till after his Czech Didactic that Comenius became acquainted with Francis Bacon’s work. This thesis, which is still maintained by J. Hendrich in the Pedagogical Review III, originates from Kvacala’s views. The author analyses in detail all the major works that have dealt with the Bacon — Comenius relations since the appearance of Kvačala’s article in Pedagogium 1888, and then points out that Comenius’ letter to Raphael Lesczynsky, dated as early as the middle of 1630, proves on the contrary that Comenius studied Bacon together with other pedagogical writers he drew upon in his didactics. The author further points out two substantial parallels between the Novum Organum and the Great Didactic, which undoubtedly are not accidental (method as a machine multiplying the strength of man, and the endeavour to contribute to restoring to man the empire over world and nature — with Bacon by means of practically applied knowledge, with Comenius by means of education)-.