NAME: GLORY ITEOLUWAKISHI, FALEYE.

MATRIC NO: 220428

DEPARTMENT: PHILOSOPHY

COURSE CODE: PHI306

COURSE TITLE: EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY

LECTURER IN CHARGE: DR. TOLA LAYODE

PAPER DESCRIPTION:

DISCUSS FRANCIS BACON "Four Idols".

Wednesday 20TH March, 2024.

INTRODUCTION

The four idols that Francis Bacon refers to in his work "The New Organon" are the idols of the
tribe, the idols of the cave, the idols of the marketplace, and the idols of the theater. The idols
of the tribe are the preconceived notions and prejudices that are shared by all people. These
include ideas like "what everyone knows," "common sense," and "received wisdom." The idols
of the cave are the individual prejudices and biases that each person holds. These are the ideas
that we are blind to because they are part of our personal worldview. The idols of the
marketplace are the beliefs that are widely accepted by society, but may not be based on
evidence or reason. These include things like popular trends, fashionable ideas, and political
agendas. And finally, the idols of the theater are the empty and pompous words that are used
in rhetoric and debate. Bacon believed that these idols cloud our judgment and prevent us from
truly understanding the world around us.

OVERVIEW OF EACH OF THE IDOLS

The Idols Of The Tribe

The idols of the tribe are the most basic and fundamental of the four idols. They include things
like the belief in magic, the worship of ancient traditions, and the tendency to accept authority
without questioning it. Bacon believed that these were the idols that were most deeply rooted
in human nature, and that they were the most difficult to overcome. He argued that these idols
are the result of our tendency to rely on instinct and intuition rather than reason and evidence.

The Idols Of The Cave

Theb in idols of the cave are the biases and preconceptions that are unique to each individual.
These are things like our personal experiences, the way we were raised, and our own beliefs
and values. These idols can be even more difficult to overcome than the idols of the tribe,
because they are so deeply personal. They can also be very difficult to identify, because they
are often unconscious. One example of an idol of the cave is confirmation bias. This is the
tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs, while ignoring or dismissing
information that contradicts them. Another example is the bandwagon effect, which is the
tendency to adopt beliefs and behaviors that are popular or fashionable, even if they are not
necessarily true or beneficial. The backfire effect is the tendency to become even more
entrenched in our beliefs when we are presented with evidence that contradicts them. The
fundamental attribution error is the tendency to attribute other people's behavior to their
character, while attributing our own behavior to external factors. The self-serving bias is the
tendency to take credit for successes while blaming others or external factors for failures. These
are all examples of the idols of the cave, and they can all affect the way we think and behave.

The Idols Of The Marketplace

The idols of the marketplace are beliefs that are widely accepted by society, even though they
may not be based on evidence or reason. These beliefs are often the result of marketing and
propaganda, and they can have a powerful influence on our behavior. One example is the myth
of progress, which is the belief that technology and economic growth will inevitably lead to a
better future. Another example is the myth of consumerism, which suggests that happiness can
be found through the acquisition of material goods. One way to see the influence of the idols of
the marketplace is to consider the relationship between advertising and consumption.
Advertising often promotes the idea that our happiness depends on buying the latest products
or following the latest trends. This can lead to a never-ending cycle of consumption, in which
we are always chasing the next new thing. This not only has negative environmental
consequences, but it can also lead to a feeling of dissatisfaction and lack of fulfillment. In other
words, advertising and consumption can create a feedback loop in which we are constantly
chasing the next new thing, but never feeling truly satisfied. This can lead to a feeling of
emptiness and a sense that something is missing in our lives. It's important to be aware of this
dynamic and to consider whether our consumption is truly making us happy, or whether it's just
a temporary distraction from our deeper desires. The myth of celebrity is a good example of an
idol of the marketplace. This is the belief that famous people are somehow better or more
worthy of our attention than ordinary people. It's easy to see how this belief is perpetuated by
the media and advertising, which constantly promote celebrities and their lifestyles as
something to aspire to. This myth can be damaging because it creates unrealistic expectations
and can lead to feelings of inferiority and inadequacy. Another example is the myth of beauty,
which suggests that physical attractiveness is the key to happiness. The myth of beauty is
particularly harmful because it creates unrealistic and unhealthy standards of beauty. It also
ignores the fact that beauty is subjective and that there is no one "right" way to look. This myth
is often perpetuated by the beauty industry, which profits from people feeling insecure about
their appearance. The result is that many people feel pressure to conform to impossible
standards of beauty, leading to a cycle of insecurity and low self-esteem. When people buy into
these myths, they often end up feeling like they are not good enough. They may feel like they
need to buy certain products or change their appearance in order to be happy. But this is a
never-ending cycle, because even if they do change their appearance, they're likely to find that
they are still not satisfied. This can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair. Another way
these beliefs can be harmful is that they can prevent us from seeing the true value of ourselves
and others. Instead of focusing on our inner qualities, we may become obsessed with our
appearance or the appearance of others. Another example is the myth of success, which
suggests that our worth is determined by our professional or financial achievements. This myth
is particularly harmful because it creates a false sense of competition and a never-ending
pursuit of more money or status. It also ignores the fact that success is subjective and that
there are many different ways to define it. Another example is the myth of security, which
suggests that material possessions or money can protect us from harm. This myth ignores the
fact that security comes from within, not froom external factor. Another myth is the myth of
efficiency. This is the belief that our lives should be as efficient and productive as possible.
While efficiency can be useful in some situations, it can also lead to burnout and a lack of
fulfillment. It is important to remember that not all activities need to be efficient, and that
sometimes it is okay to just relax and enjoy life.

The Idols Of The Theater

The idols of the theater refer to our ideas about entertainment and leisure. For example, the
myth of distraction suggests that our lives should be filled with constant entertainment and
stimulation. This myth ignores the value of quiet reflection and contemplation. The myth of
fantasy suggests that we should escape from reality through entertainment. This myth ignores
the fact that true fulfillment comes from engaging with the world around us, not from escaping
from it. Another example is the myth of passive entertainment. This is the belief that we should
be entertained without having to actively engage with the entertainment. This myth ignores the
fact that active engagement is often more fulfilling than passive consumption. For example,
reading a book can be more enriching than watching a movie, because it requires more active
involvement from the reader. The last myth of the theater I want to talk about is the myth of
endless choice. This is the belief that having more options is always better. However, research
has shown that having too many choices can actually lead to indecision and dissatisfaction. This
is because we have a hard time making decisions when there are too many options to choose
from. We might worry about making the "wrong" choice, or we might become paralyzed by
indecision. This myth of endless choice can be especially harmful in the age of the internet,
when we have so many choices at our fingertips.

It is noteworthy to mention that these myths aren't always all bad. They can sometimes be
useful, but they can also lead to problems when they become too dominant in our lives. It's
important to be aware of these myths and to find a balance that works for us.

THE STRENGTH OF THE FOUR IDOLS

While the idols of the marketplace can lead to problems when taken to an extreme, they do
have some positive aspects. For example, the myth of efficiency can be useful in certain
situations, like when we need to be productive at work. The myth of distraction can be
enjoyable when we need to relax and take a break from our responsibilities. The myth of
endless choice can be useful when we are looking for something specific, like the perfect outfit
or the perfect restaurant. And the myth of fantasy can be a great escape from the stresses of
everyday life and can also be a source of creativity and imagination. It is all about finding the
right balance for our individual needs. The myth of distraction can be a positive when it comes
to relaxation and stress relief. Another important thing to remember is that these myths aren't
just about entertainment or leisure. They can also apply to other aspects of our lives, like our
relationships and our careers. I think it's important to question these myths and find what truly
makes us happy. That might look different for each person. Some people might find happiness
in efficiency and achievement, while others might find it in relationships or leisure. It is also
important to reflect on our values and figure out what's truly important to us, rather than
blindly following the cultural myths.

The Critiques Of The Four Idols

One of the main criticisms of the four idols is that they can lead to a shallow and unfulfilling life.
This is because they focus on the surface level of things, rather than the deeper meaning and
purpose behind them. For example, the myth of endless choice might lead us to constantly
shop for new things, but we might never be satisfied with what we have. The myth of
distraction might keep us from truly engaging with the world around us. And the myth of
fantasy might cause us to ignore the real world in favor of a fantasy world. Another criticism of
the four idols is that they can lead to a lack of authenticity. This is because they often
encourage us to conform to societal norms, rather than staying true to ourselves. The myth of
endless choice might tell us that we should always be looking for the "best" option, but that can
lead to constant comparison and a lack of contentment. The myth of distraction might keep us
from being present and authentic in our relationships. And the myth of fantasy might lead us to
pretend to be someone we are not. One final criticism of the four idols is that they can lead to
a sense of entitlement. This is because they often encourage us to focus on what we "deserve"
or what we are "entitled" to. This can lead to a sense of selfishness and a lack of gratitude. I
think this is an important criticism, because it's important to be grateful for what we have and
to focus on the positive aspects of our lives.

CONCLUSION

I think the four idols of Francis Bacon are complex and multifaceted. They can be both positive
and negative, depending on how we view them. On the one hand, they can lead to entitlement,
shallowness, and a lack of authenticity. On the other hand, they can also lead to creativity,
imagination, and a sense of gratitude. I think the key thing hete is to be aware of the potential
pitfalls of the idols, while also finding ways to use them for positive purposes. In light of all
this, I think it is important to remember that the four idols are not the only things that shape
our lives. We are also influenced by our experiences, relationships, and personal values. These
other factors can help to balance out the potential negatives of the four idols. For example,
strong relationships can help to counter the entitlement that might come from the myth of
endless choice. And personal values can help to ground us in authenticity, even when we are
faced with distractions and fantasies.

REFERENCE

Academia.edu.https://www.academia.edu/24194679/THE_FOUR_IDOLS_OF_FRANCIS_BACON
accessed 21/03/24.

African Journals Online https://www.ajol.info › viewPDF PHILOSOPHY accessed 21/03/24

ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227166185_Francis_Bacon_Human_Bias_and_the_
Four_Idols accessed 21/03/24.