NOVUM ORGANUM 319 



regular series and order, and they must for a while renounce 

 their notions, and begin to form an acquaintance with things. 



37. Our method and that of the sceptics agree in some re- 

 spects at first setting out, but differ most widely, and are com- 

 pletely opposed to each other in their conclusion; for they 

 roundly assert that nothing can be known ; we, that but a small 

 part of nature can be known, by the present method ; their next 

 step, however, is to destroy the authority of the senses and un- 

 derstanding, whilst we invent and supply them with assistance. 



38. The idols and false notions which have already preoccu- 

 pied the human understanding, and are deeply rooted in it, not 

 only so beset men's minds that they become difficult of access, 

 but even when access is obtained will again meet and trouble 

 us in the instauration of the sciences, unless mankind when 

 forewarned guard themselves with all possible care against 

 them. 



39. Four species of idols beset the human mind, to which 

 (for distinction's sake) we have assigned names, calling the 

 first Idols of the Tribe, the second Idols of the Den, the third 

 Idols of the Market, the fourth Idols of the Theatre. 



40. The formation of notions and axioms on the foundation 

 of true induction is the only fitting remedy by which we can 

 ward off and expel these idols. It is, however, of great service 

 to point them out ; for the doctrine of idols bears the same rela- 

 tion to the interpretation of nature as that of the confutation of 

 sophisms does to common logic. 



41. The idols of the tribe are inherent in human nature and 

 the very tribe or race of man ; for man's sense is falsely asserted 

 to be the standard of things ; on the contrary, all the perceptions 

 both of the senses and the mind bear reference to man and not 

 to the universe, and the human rnihd resembles those uneven 

 mirrors which impart thir own properties to different objects, 

 from which rays are emitted and distort and disfigure them. 



42. The idols of the den are those of each individual ; for 

 everybody (in addition to the errors common to the race of 

 man) has his own individual den or cavern, which intercepts 

 and corrupts the light of nature, either from his own peculiar 

 and singular disposition, or from his education and intercourse 

 with others, or from his reading, and the authority acquired by 

 those whom he reverences and admires, or from the different 

 impressions produced on the mind, as it happens to be pre- 

 occupied and predisposed, or equable and tranquil, and the 

 like ; so that the spirit of man (according to its several disposi- 

 tions), is variable, confused, and, as it were, actuated by chance ; 

 and Heraclitus said well that men search for knowledge in les- 

 ser worlds, and not in the greater or common world. 



43. There are also idols formed by the reciprocal intercourse 



