One of the many interesting topics in chapter 1 is The Four
Idols presented by Francis Bacon. Francis believed that there are four idols
that prevent people from thinking clearly and therefore causing them to bring assumptions
and prejudices to scientific research:
The Idols of the Tribe
Bacon claims that our perceptions are not the truth and we can't trust it. He explains that our senses cannot measure things, since everyone senses things differently. Our senses work simultaneously and therefore trigger our imagination.
Bacon claims that our perceptions are not the truth and we can't trust it. He explains that our senses cannot measure things, since everyone senses things differently. Our senses work simultaneously and therefore trigger our imagination.
The Idols of the Cave
People thinks that their experiences make them wise, but Bacon thinks that our experience prevents us from thinking clearly. We collect information from school, books and events that happen in our life, which are constantly being reflected through our thinking.
People thinks that their experiences make them wise, but Bacon thinks that our experience prevents us from thinking clearly. We collect information from school, books and events that happen in our life, which are constantly being reflected through our thinking.
The Idols of the Market-place
People things that language and words make them more knowledgeable and superior, but Bacon argues that people use words, and understand words based on their purpose and abilities, and sometimes the use of a word or the misunderstanding of a word can give an idea a whole different meaning.
People things that language and words make them more knowledgeable and superior, but Bacon argues that people use words, and understand words based on their purpose and abilities, and sometimes the use of a word or the misunderstanding of a word can give an idea a whole different meaning.
The Idols of the Theatre
People tend to take scientific theories and philosophical assertions as facts and hardly challenge them. Bacon claims that coming into scientific research with these kinds of assumptions takes away a great part from the explorations.
People tend to take scientific theories and philosophical assertions as facts and hardly challenge them. Bacon claims that coming into scientific research with these kinds of assumptions takes away a great part from the explorations.
I found these four idols that Francis Bacon believed in interesting as well! The one that I relate to the most is the Idols of the Cave. So many people think that they can give so much insight or knowledge through their personal experiences. Yes, we do learn lessons in life or gained new knowledge from an experience, but that does not mean we are most knowledgeable on that subject. For example, I know too many people that think they’re Dr. Phil or relationship experts just because they have been in a similar situation. Sometimes it’s nice to gain a lesson, but that does not mean you’re the wisest or the next person needs your experience information.
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