idol

philosophy

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June 29, 2026

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In philosophy, an "idol" refers to a prejudice or false notion that obstructs clear thinking. Sir Francis Bacon identified four types of idols:
* Idols of the tribe: Universal human prejudices, like oversimplification or overemphasizing striking events.
* Idols of the cave: Individual prejudices based on personal experiences and perspectives.
* Idols of the marketplace: Prejudices arising from language and social interaction, where words can lead to confusion or meaningless discussions.
* Idols of the theatre: False beliefs or flawed philosophical systems taught by various schools of thought.

These "idols" hinder objective understanding and the pursuit of knowledge. The term "idol" also literally means an image used as an object of worship in religion.123

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Francis Bacon
The idols of the mind
…invented the metaphor of “idol” to refer to such causes of human error.
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…invented the metaphor of “idol” to refer to such causes of human error.
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idol
In philosophy, the word can mean a prejudice of some kind that hinders clear thought. It was used in this sense by Giordano Bruno and adopted from him by Sir Francis Bacon, who in a celebrated passage of his Novum Organum distinguished four kinds of idol, namely: (1)…
Read More
In philosophy, the word can mean a prejudice of some kind that hinders clear thought. It was used in this sense by Giordano Bruno and adopted from him by Sir Francis Bacon, who in a celebrated passage of his Novum Organum distinguished four kinds of idol, namely: (1)…
Read More