Idola specus
Encyclopedia
Idola specus is a Latin
term, normally translated as "Idols of the Cave" (or "Idols of the Den"), coined by Sir Francis Bacon
and used in his Novum Organum
, one of the earliest treatises arguing the case for the logic and method of modern science.
It is a form of prejudice
, by which someone inappropriately extends norms or tenets that apply to his or her own culture and social group, or to his own preferences. Racism
, sexism
and, more generally chauvinism
are examples of idola specus, but the concept goes beyond them to the criticism of all forms of irreflexive subjectivity
or individual predisposition.
The term is one of four such "idols" which represent "idols and false notions which are now in possession of the human understanding, and have taken deep root therein, not only so beset men's minds that truth can hardly find entrance, but even after entrance is obtained, they will again in the very instauration of the sciences meet and trouble us, unless men being forewarned of the danger fortify themselves as far as may be against their assaults".
Besides idola specus, there are also idola tribus
(Idols of the Tribe, caused by human nature), idola fori
, (Idols of the Market Place, caused by language) and idola theatri
(Idols of the Theatre, which are caused by the influence of philosophers).
In more detail, Bacon enumerated several specific such barriers to science which result from the specific traits of individuals, coming into this category:
Bacon said that the Idols of the Cave "grow for the most part either out of the predominance of a favorite subject, or out of an excessive tendency to compare or to distinguish, or out of partiality for particular ages, or out of the largeness or minuteness of the objects contemplated. And generally let every student of nature take this as a rule: that whatever his mind seizes and dwells upon with peculiar satisfaction is to be held in suspicion, and that so much the more care is to be taken in dealing with such questions to keep the understanding even and clear."
Critical Theory
, for example, claims that positivist
insistence in theoretical consistence, regardless of the possible lack thereof in the thing itself — such as in the analysis of society
, which may very well be inconsistent or even irrational in its workings — is derived of a purely conventional
impulse towards coherence and uniformity, making it an idolon specus.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
term, normally translated as "Idols of the Cave" (or "Idols of the Den"), coined by Sir Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans, KC was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the scientific method. He served both as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England...
and used in his Novum Organum
Novum Organum
The Novum Organum, full original title Novum Organum Scientiarum, is a philosophical work by Francis Bacon, written in Latin and published in 1620. The title translates as new instrument, i.e. new instrument of science. This is a reference to Aristotle's work Organon, which was his treatise on...
, one of the earliest treatises arguing the case for the logic and method of modern science.
It is a form of prejudice
Prejudice
Prejudice is making a judgment or assumption about someone or something before having enough knowledge to be able to do so with guaranteed accuracy, or "judging a book by its cover"...
, by which someone inappropriately extends norms or tenets that apply to his or her own culture and social group, or to his own preferences. Racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, sexism
Sexism
Sexism, also known as gender discrimination or sex discrimination, is the application of the belief or attitude that there are characteristics implicit to one's gender that indirectly affect one's abilities in unrelated areas...
and, more generally chauvinism
Chauvinism
Chauvinism, in its original and primary meaning, is an exaggerated, bellicose patriotism and a belief in national superiority and glory. It is an eponym of a possibly fictional French soldier Nicolas Chauvin who was credited with many superhuman feats in the Napoleonic wars.By extension it has come...
are examples of idola specus, but the concept goes beyond them to the criticism of all forms of irreflexive subjectivity
Subjectivity
Subjectivity refers to the subject and his or her perspective, feelings, beliefs, and desires. In philosophy, the term is usually contrasted with objectivity.-Qualia:...
or individual predisposition.
The term is one of four such "idols" which represent "idols and false notions which are now in possession of the human understanding, and have taken deep root therein, not only so beset men's minds that truth can hardly find entrance, but even after entrance is obtained, they will again in the very instauration of the sciences meet and trouble us, unless men being forewarned of the danger fortify themselves as far as may be against their assaults".
Besides idola specus, there are also idola tribus
Idola tribus
Idola tribus is a Latin term, normally translated as "Idols of the Tribe", coined by Sir Francis Bacon and used in his Novum Organum, one of the earliest treatises arguing the case for the logic and method of modern science....
(Idols of the Tribe, caused by human nature), idola fori
Idola fori
Idola fori is a Latin term, normally translated as "Idols of the Market Place", coined by Sir Francis Bacon and used in his Novum Organum, one of the earliest treatises arguing the case for the logic and method of modern science....
, (Idols of the Market Place, caused by language) and idola theatri
Idola theatri
Idola theatri is a Latin term that Sir Francis Bacon coined in his Novum Organum—one of the earliest treatises arguing the case for the logic and method of modern science...
(Idols of the Theatre, which are caused by the influence of philosophers).
In more detail, Bacon enumerated several specific such barriers to science which result from the specific traits of individuals, coming into this category:
- "Men become attached to certain particular sciences and speculations, either because they fancy themselves the authors and inventors thereof, or because they have bestowed the greatest pains upon them and become most habituated to them."
- "There is one principal and as it were radical distinction between different minds, in respect of philosophy and the sciences, which is this: that some minds are stronger and apter to mark the differences of things, others to mark their resemblances. The steady and acute mind can fix its contemplations and dwell and fasten on the subtlest distinctions; the lofty and discursive mind recognizes and puts together the finest and most general resemblances. Both kinds, however, easily err in excess, by catching the one at gradations, the other at shadows."
- "There are found some minds given to an extreme admiration of antiquity, others to an extreme love and appetite for novelty; but few so duly tempered that they can hold the mean, neither carping at what has been well laid down by the ancients, nor despising what is well introduced by the moderns. "
Bacon said that the Idols of the Cave "grow for the most part either out of the predominance of a favorite subject, or out of an excessive tendency to compare or to distinguish, or out of partiality for particular ages, or out of the largeness or minuteness of the objects contemplated. And generally let every student of nature take this as a rule: that whatever his mind seizes and dwells upon with peculiar satisfaction is to be held in suspicion, and that so much the more care is to be taken in dealing with such questions to keep the understanding even and clear."
Critical Theory
Critical theory
Critical theory is an examination and critique of society and culture, drawing from knowledge across the social sciences and humanities. The term has two different meanings with different origins and histories: one originating in sociology and the other in literary criticism...
, for example, claims that positivist
Positivism
Positivism is a a view of scientific methods and a philosophical approach, theory, or system based on the view that, in the social as well as natural sciences, sensory experiences and their logical and mathematical treatment are together the exclusive source of all worthwhile information....
insistence in theoretical consistence, regardless of the possible lack thereof in the thing itself — such as in the analysis of society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
, which may very well be inconsistent or even irrational in its workings — is derived of a purely conventional
Convention (norm)
A convention is a set of agreed, stipulated or generally accepted standards, norms, social norms or criteria, often taking the form of a custom....
impulse towards coherence and uniformity, making it an idolon specus.
External links
- Novum Organum (in LatinLatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
) - New Organon (1863 EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
translation)