Which English philosopher advocated for knowledge gained through scientific knowledge and experiment during the Renaissance?

The correct answer is Sir Francis Bacon, who is widely recognized for his development of the scientific method and his advocacy for empirical research and experimentation as the best means of gaining knowledge. During the Renaissance, Bacon argued that traditional methods of acquiring knowledge, which relied heavily on philosophy and abstract reasoning, were inadequate. Instead, he emphasized observation and experimentation, encouraging a systematic approach to scientific inquiry that laid the groundwork for modern science.

Bacon's works, particularly "Novum Organum," outlined his ideas about inductive reasoning and the importance of gathering data through experiments and observations to form conclusions. This marked a significant shift in the way knowledge was approached, steering away from reliance on authority and dogma.

Other figures, such as Isaac Newton, played pivotal roles in advancing scientific concepts but built upon the foundation laid by Bacon's earlier philosophical ideas. Thomas Hobbes and David Hume contributed to political philosophy and empiricism, respectively, but did not specifically advocate for the scientific method in the same way that Bacon did during the Renaissance period.