Editing Civics (section)

==== Bacon ====
English philosopher [[Francis Bacon]] was aware of the relevance of civic education to what he termed 'civil merit'.<ref>[[Francis Bacon]]. [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5500/5500-h/5500-h.htm ''The Advancement of Learning''], Book I, Section VII, Paragraph 10. Neither hath learning an influence and operation only upon civil merit and moral virtue, and the arts or temperature of peace and peaceable government; but likewise it hath no less power and efficacy in enablement towards martial and military virtue and prowess, as may be notably represented in the examples of Alexander the Great and Cæsar the Dictator (mentioned before, but now in fit place to be resumed), of whose virtues and acts in war there needs no note or recital, having been the wonders of time in that kind; but of their affections towards learning and perfections in learning it is pertinent to say somewhat. [[Project Gutenberg]].</ref> However, in his essay ''[[The Advancement of Learning]]'', Bacon also argues that civic education should be preceded by religious and moral education, so that those who judge policy will not be under the influence of [[moral relativism]].<ref>[[Francis Bacon]]. [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5500/5500-h/5500-h.htm ''The Advancement of Learning''], Book II, Section XXII, Paragraph 13. But is it not true also, that much less young men are fit auditors of matters of policy, till they have been thoroughly seasoned in religion and morality; lest their judgments be corrupted, and made apt to think that there are no true differences of things[?] [[Project Gutenberg]].</ref>