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for equivocations and wrong acceptations of words, espe 

 cially of this kind, are the sophisms of sophisms; 9 wherefore 

 it is better to treat of them separate than either to receive 

 them into primary philosophy or metaphysics, or again, to 

 make them a part of analytics, as Aristotle has confusedly 

 done. We give this doctrine a name from its use, because 

 its true use is indeed redargution and caution about the 

 employing of words. So, likewise, that part concerning 

 predicaments, if rightly treated, as to the cautions against 

 confounding or transposing the terms of definitions and 

 divisions, is of principal use, and belongs to the present 

 article. And thus much for the confutation of interpre 

 tation. ! , 



As to the confutation of images, or idols, we observe 

 that idols are the deepest fallacies of the human mind; for 

 they do not deceive in particulars, as the rest, by clouding 

 and insnaring the judgment; but from a corrupt predispo 

 sition, or bad complexion of the mind, which distorts and 

 infects all the anticipations of the understanding. For the 

 mind, darkened by its covering the body, is far from being 

 a flat, equal, and clear mirror that receives and reflects the 

 rays without mixture, but rather a magical glass, full of 

 superstitions and apparitions. Idols are imposed upon the 

 understanding, either, 1, by the general nature of mankind; 

 2, the nature of each particular man ; or 3, by words, or com 

 municative nature. The first kind we call idols of the tribe ; 

 the second kind, idols of the den ; and the third kind, idols 

 of the market. There is also a fourth kind, which we call 

 idols of the theatre, being superinduced by false theories, 

 or philosophies, and the perverted laws of demonstration. 

 This last kind we are not at present concerned with, as it 

 may be rejected and laid aside; but the others seize the 

 mind strongly, and cannot be totally eradicated. Therefore 

 no art of analytics can be expected here, but the doctrine 

 of the confutation of idols is the primary doctrine of idols. 



9 Rather, vulgarisms; since sophisms imply a use of the intellect, though 

 a perverted use; but the wrong acceptations of words imply no use at all. Ed. 



