Bacon’s theory of idols
E501172
Bacon’s theory of idols is Francis Bacon’s influential framework in early modern philosophy that categorizes the systematic errors and biases that distort human understanding and impede the pursuit of true scientific knowledge.
Observed surface forms (1)
| Surface form | Occurrences |
|---|---|
| Baconian theory of idols | 1 |
Statements (45)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
epistemological theory
ⓘ
philosophical framework ⓘ theory of error ⓘ |
| addresses |
obstacles to objective observation
ⓘ
obstacles to sound inference ⓘ |
| aim |
to identify systematic errors in human understanding
ⓘ
to improve the pursuit of scientific knowledge ⓘ |
| author | Francis Bacon NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| centralConcept | idols ⓘ |
| classificationPrinciple | source of cognitive distortion ⓘ |
| concerns |
cognitive bias
ⓘ
limits of human understanding ⓘ systematic error ⓘ |
| context | Baconian empiricism ⓘ |
| contributesTo | the development of modern scientific rationality ⓘ |
| defines |
Idols of the Cave
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
Idols of the Marketplace NERFINISHED ⓘ Idols of the Theatre NERFINISHED ⓘ Idols of the Tribe NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| epistemicFunction | diagnosis of bias prior to inquiry ⓘ |
| goal |
to purge the mind of prejudices
ⓘ
to secure objective knowledge of nature ⓘ |
| historicalPeriod | early modern philosophy ⓘ |
| IdolsOfTheCave_description | errors arising from individual temperament, education, and personal experience ⓘ |
| IdolsOfTheMarketplace_description | errors arising from the misuse and ambiguity of language ⓘ |
| IdolsOfTheTheatre_description | errors arising from received philosophical systems and dogmas ⓘ |
| IdolsOfTheTribe_description | errors arising from human nature shared by the whole human race ⓘ |
| influencedField |
epistemology
ⓘ
philosophy of science ⓘ scientific method ⓘ |
| languageOfOriginalFormulation | Latin ⓘ |
| mainWork | Novum Organum NERFINISHED ⓘ |
| methodologicalRole | precondition for true induction ⓘ |
| numberOfIdolTypes | 4 ⓘ |
| opposes |
traditional scholastic philosophy
ⓘ
uncritical reliance on sense perception ⓘ |
| philosophicalTheme |
critique of tradition
ⓘ
fallibility of human reason ⓘ reform of knowledge ⓘ |
| relatedConcept |
Baconian induction
NERFINISHED
ⓘ
experimental philosophy ⓘ |
| requires |
awareness of psychological bias
ⓘ
critical reflection on language ⓘ methodical doubt about inherited doctrines ⓘ |
| textualLocation | Book I of Novum Organum NERFINISHED ⓘ |
Referenced by (2)
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this entity surface form:
Baconian theory of idols