Novum Organum Summary

In The Humanistic Tradition by Gloria Fiero, Francis Bacon is presented as an English philosopher who is best known for his work Novum Organum. Within this work, Francis Bacon presents his four unique classes of Idols which are Idols of the Tribe, Cave, Marketplace, and Theater. According to Francis Bacon, these four different classes of Idols are ones that beset men’s minds of every culture and every age. Hence Fiero proceeds to explain the first Idol which is Idols of the Tribe which she explains as humans inclination to believe what better benefits them. The second idol known as Idols of the Cave is interpreted as individual biases leading them to mistaken beliefs or errors. Idols of the Marketplace is the third Idol which results from the misuse
The Idols of the Marketplace is clearly portrayed through the films social groups found within the campus as they all seem to be categorized into a specifically named group. Hence this results in people generalizing individuals within a group to the term that is assigned to the group they belong to. Thus demonstrating the Idol of the Marketplace as they misuse the word to describe someone simply due to their associations. The last Idol demonstrated is the Idols of the Theatre which can be seen in the political leanings of some of the characters. For example, this can be seen throughout the elections for the head of the house between Sam and Troy Fairbanks. Majority of the school wants Troy Fairbanks to win as he tends to keep all social groups happy within the housing on campus. However, when Sam wins everyone is shocked as it seems like the prejudice towards Troy has been destroyed. Consequently, Gloria Fiero states that in order “ to purge the mind of prejudice and false thinking, one must, argued Bacon, destroy the Idols” (Pg. 116). Accordingly, this scenario ultimately demonstrates Sam destroying the Idols of the