Ilsley, John
English 1A
Professor Ogbara
7 September, 2015
Evaluating "The Four Idols"
In The New Organon Book I, Francis Bacon introduces “The Four Idols,” characteristic errors, natural tendencies, and defects that prevent the mind of man to obtain an accurate understanding of nature. Bacon stresses that recognizing and counteracting these “idols” is beneficial for an individual to understand reality. Bacon defines an “idol” as a source of deception that hinders one’s ability to truly perceive nature. The essay incorporates enumeration to segment and organize his writing, making it very clear for the reader to differentiate between concepts/ideas. Each “idol” is initially contained within its own paragraph, with the first sentence of each paragraph indicating that “this paragraph will explain this idol.” Bacon’s intent was to emphasize that there are multiple forces that hinder man’s ability to truly perceive reality, and that through gathering and organizing observations from nature, the truth will become apparent.
The first of “The Four Idols” is “The Idols of the Tribe.” This entails the first of Bacon’s obstacles to perception, and can be described as hindrances to understanding based on human nature. The Idols of the Tribe pertains to problems that exist in every individual, simply for the fact that we are human. Each individual possesses tendencies programmed into their being that shapes the outcome of every day occurrences. Based on how any human was nurtured during his or her upbringing in combination with external forces imprint predisposed notions that will impact our decisions in life. These illusions include “jumping to conclusion,” and wishful thinking.” Bacon recognizes these illusions as a problem that impedes our ability to understand clearly.
Bacon’s second concept, “The Idols of the Cave,” refers to hindrances based on individual shortcomings. Bacon recognized that all men are different. Each with his or her own upbringing, cultural background, education, or social class. Bacon infers that this individuality in man alter tastes, prejudices, and perceptions, and possess the power to hinder one’s ability to understand.
The third in Bacon’s “The Four Idols” is “The Idols of the Market Place.” This concept refers to hindrances to an individual based on language and communication. Confusion can be formed solely through the association of man with another. Bacon recognized that language, though an essential tool to life, also comes with many faults. Words can lead to confusion due to the fact that one’s choice of words has the ability to obstruct understanding. Words have two meanings in many situations, and is often ambiguous. Language possesses the power to cloud an individual’s understanding of nature.
The fourth and final is “The Idols of the Theater,” which pertains to the hindrance to understanding based on a system of philosophy and religion. Bacon believed this “idol” to be acquired through culture as opposed to natural acquisition. Bacon believed that people follow specific dogmas and fail to ask questions as to why they are followers. Due to the fact that these institutions have gained a mass of unquestionable reputation, people follow hand in hand with fear of deviation.
Francis Bacon infers that the combination of these four idols are present in every individual, and hinders our ability to interpret the truth. They tunnel one’s vision and create false perceptions of external reality. Bacon’s main objective when writing “The Four Idols” was to inform people to become aware that these four idols exist, to be aware that together they distort our daily perceptions, and that by combining direct observations with empirical data, the truth can be found.
English 1A
Professor Ogbara
7 September, 2015
Evaluating "The Four Idols"
In The New Organon Book I, Francis Bacon introduces “The Four Idols,” characteristic errors, natural tendencies, and defects that prevent the mind of man to obtain an accurate understanding of nature. Bacon stresses that recognizing and counteracting these “idols” is beneficial for an individual to understand reality. Bacon defines an “idol” as a source of deception that hinders one’s ability to truly perceive nature. The essay incorporates enumeration to segment and organize his writing, making it very clear for the reader to differentiate between concepts/ideas. Each “idol” is initially contained within its own paragraph, with the first sentence of each paragraph indicating that “this paragraph will explain this idol.” Bacon’s intent was to emphasize that there are multiple forces that hinder man’s ability to truly perceive reality, and that through gathering and organizing observations from nature, the truth will become apparent.
The first of “The Four Idols” is “The Idols of the Tribe.” This entails the first of Bacon’s obstacles to perception, and can be described as hindrances to understanding based on human nature. The Idols of the Tribe pertains to problems that exist in every individual, simply for the fact that we are human. Each individual possesses tendencies programmed into their being that shapes the outcome of every day occurrences. Based on how any human was nurtured during his or her upbringing in combination with external forces imprint predisposed notions that will impact our decisions in life. These illusions include “jumping to conclusion,” and wishful thinking.” Bacon recognizes these illusions as a problem that impedes our ability to understand clearly.
Bacon’s second concept, “The Idols of the Cave,” refers to hindrances based on individual shortcomings. Bacon recognized that all men are different. Each with his or her own upbringing, cultural background, education, or social class. Bacon infers that this individuality in man alter tastes, prejudices, and perceptions, and possess the power to hinder one’s ability to understand.
The third in Bacon’s “The Four Idols” is “The Idols of the Market Place.” This concept refers to hindrances to an individual based on language and communication. Confusion can be formed solely through the association of man with another. Bacon recognized that language, though an essential tool to life, also comes with many faults. Words can lead to confusion due to the fact that one’s choice of words has the ability to obstruct understanding. Words have two meanings in many situations, and is often ambiguous. Language possesses the power to cloud an individual’s understanding of nature.
The fourth and final is “The Idols of the Theater,” which pertains to the hindrance to understanding based on a system of philosophy and religion. Bacon believed this “idol” to be acquired through culture as opposed to natural acquisition. Bacon believed that people follow specific dogmas and fail to ask questions as to why they are followers. Due to the fact that these institutions have gained a mass of unquestionable reputation, people follow hand in hand with fear of deviation.
Francis Bacon infers that the combination of these four idols are present in every individual, and hinders our ability to interpret the truth. They tunnel one’s vision and create false perceptions of external reality. Bacon’s main objective when writing “The Four Idols” was to inform people to become aware that these four idols exist, to be aware that together they distort our daily perceptions, and that by combining direct observations with empirical data, the truth can be found.