XXXIX. Four species of idols beset the human mind, to which (for distinction’s sake) we have assigned names, calling the first Idols of the Tribe, the second Idols of the Den, the third Idols of the Market, the fourth Idols of the Theatre.
XLI. The
idols of the tribe are inherent in human nature and the very tribe or
race of man; for man’s sense is falsely asserted to be the standard of things;
on the contrary, all the perceptions both of the senses and the mind bear
reference to man and not to the universe, and the human mind resembles those
uneven mirrors which impart their own properties to different objects,
from which rays are emitted and distort and disfigure them.
XLII. The
idols of the den are those of each individual; for everybody (in
addition to the errors common to the race of man) has his own individual den or
cavern, which intercepts and corrupts the light of nature, either from his own
peculiar and singular disposition, or from his education and intercourse with
others, or from his reading, and the authority acquired by those whom he
reverences and admires, or from the different impressions produced on the mind,
as it happens to be preoccupied and predisposed, or equable and tranquil, and
the like; so that the spirit of man (according to its several dispositions), is
variable, confused, and as it were actuated by chance; and Heraclitus said well
that men search for knowledge in lesser worlds, and not in the greater or
common world.
XLIII. There
are also idols formed by the reciprocal intercourse and society of man with
man, which we call idols of the market, from the commerce and
association of men with each other; for men converse by means of language, but
words are formed at the will of the generality, and there arises from a bad and
unapt formation of words a wonderful obstruction to the mind. Nor can the
definitions and explanations with which learned men are wont to guard and
protect themselves in some instances afford a complete remedy—words still
manifestly force the understanding, throw everything into confusion, and lead
mankind into vain and innumerable controversies and fallacies.
XLIV. Lastly,
there are idols which have crept into men’s minds from the various dogmas
of peculiar systems of philosophy, and also from the perverted rules of
demonstration, and these we denominate idols of the theatre: for we
regard all the systems of philosophy hitherto received or imagined, as so many
plays brought out and performed, creating fictious and theatrical worlds. Nor
do we speak only of the present systems, or of the philosophy and sects of the
ancients, since numerous other plays of a similar nature can be still composed
and made to agree with each other, the causes of the most opposite errors being
generally the same. Nor, again, do we allude merely to general systems, but
also to many elements and axioms of sciences which have become inveterate by
tradition, implicit credence, and neglect. We must, however, discuss each
species of idols more fully and distinctly in order to guard the human
understanding against them.
Sir Francis Bacon, Novum Organum (1620)[1]
[1] These
aphorisms appear in Book I of Novum Organum. Originally published in
Latin. Source: The Online Library of Liberty. Emphasis added.
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