Idols of the mind
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Bacon listed what he called the Idols of The Mind. He described these as things which obstructed the path of correct scientific reasoning.
- Idols of the Tribe: This is humans' tendency to perceive more order and regularity in systems than truly exists, and is due to people following their preconceived ideas about things.
- Idols of the Cave: This is due to individuals' personal weaknesses in reasoning due to particular personalities, likes and dislikes.
- Idols of the Marketplace: This is due to confusions in the use of language and taking some words in science to have a different meaning than their common usage.
- Idols of the Theatre: This is due to using philosophical systems which have incorporated mistaken methods. Here Bacon is referring to the influence of major philosophers (Aristotle) and major religions on science.
