"Argument is conclusive, but it does not remove doubt, so that the mind may rest in the sure knowledge of the truth, unless it finds it by the method of experiment"

In this quote, Roger Bacon highlights the distinction between theoretical thinking and empirical proof in the pursuit of knowledge. Bacon, a prominent supporter for the clinical technique, underscores the limitations of argumentation alone in developing fact. Let's dissect the parts of this thought.

First of all, the declaration "Argument is definitive" acknowledges that rational thinking and structured argumentation can be effective tools in obtaining conclusions. Through deductive or inductive processes, one can develop an engaging case for a specific idea or theory. Logical arguments help us arrange information, obstacle inconsistencies, and develop meaningful stories about the world.

Nevertheless, Bacon immediately qualifies this concept by specifying, "but it does not get rid of doubt". Here, he voices an important insight: while arguments can be definitive within their own frameworks, they typically stop working to resolve suspicion completely. Arguments count on premises, which, if unexamined or incorrect, can result in false conclusions. Furthermore, arguments alone do not necessarily engage with the complexities and nuances of real-world phenomena, leaving space for doubt.

Bacon worries the need for certainty with the phrase "so that the mind might rest in the sure knowledge of the reality". He highlights the desire for conclusive answers and the convenience of knowing truth as it genuinely is. For Bacon, reaching this state of certainty requires more than just thinking or thinking-- one must engage straight with the material world.

This leads to his assertion, "unless it discovers it by the technique of experiment". According to Bacon, experiments function as essential arbiters of reality. By checking hypotheses in regulated environments and observing outcomes, one gains concrete, empirical proof that can validate or refute theoretical arguments. Experimentation lends reliability to arguments by grounding them in observable reality, consequently reducing doubt and moving closer to irrefutable understanding.

In summary, Roger Bacon's quote advocates for a balance between intellectual thinking and speculative recognition, recommending that real understanding develops just when theoretical principles are rigorously evaluated versus empirical proof.