The Four Idols

             This week we talked a lot about Francis Bacon. He is known for using the inductive method of thinking.  That is looking at a bunch of facts and then coming to a conclusion based on those facts. But before beginning this the person must clear his mind of certain biases. Bacon also came up with four different types of biases that people experience. The first one is idols of the tribe. That is doing stuff according to your race and culture. The second one is idols of the marketplace. This involves language, since we have to know what it means to understand it. So a scientist must be careful when he is using language so that everyone can understand what he is saying. The third one is idols of the theatre. This one involves whatever religious or philosophical view that you are influenced by. The fourth and final one is idols of the cave. This one involves our own attitudes toward something. So in order to be a true scientist one must be able to put aside all of these biases and think logically.