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Untitled Article
much by authority in their opinions ; reasoning from too slight analogy , thus attempting to measure things less known by the standard of others more familiar ; the endeavour to apply invention to purposes to which it is unequal ; falling into one
extreme when avoiding the other ; the perversion of judgment by affection and passion ; in fine the intermixture of self with the nature of things perceived . By the second class , or , idola specus , are signified those prejudices which arise from the peculiarities of individuals , not the constitution of human nature in general . The human mind is supposed to be like a cave , refracting , according to its formation , the rays of light , and imparting to objects colours and forms different from reality . Therefore , to prejudices arising from education , partiality for a certain profession , course of reading , or from the peculiar character of the individual , and his manner of receiving impressions , Lord Bacon gives the name of idola species . * The third division , the idola fori , consists of prejudices arising from the imperfections and abuse of language . They receive their name " idols of the market" on account of the commerce or dealings men have with each other and their association by discourse . ^ The fourth , the idola theatri , signifies the prejudices which have got into the human mind from the different tenets of philosophers , and the perverted laws of demonstration . " These , "
says Lord Bacon , " we denominate idols of the theatre ; because all the philosophies that have been hitherto invented or received are but as so many stage plays , written or acted , as having shown nothing but fictitious and theatrical worlds . Nor is this said only of the ancient or present sects or
philosophies , for numberless other fables of the like kind may be still invented and dressed up , since quite different errors will proceed from almost the same common causes . Nor again do we mean it only of general philosophies , but likewise of numerous principles and axioms of the sciences , which have prevailed through tradition , belief , and neglect . "
History , and daily commerce with mankind , present to us innumerable illustrations of prejudices as classified by the great Philosopher of Facts . Not only the turbulent sea of
• " A certain complexion of understanding may dispose a man to one system of opinions more than to another , and , on the other hand , a system of opinions fixed in the mind b y education , or otherwise gives the complexion to the understanding which is suited to them . ''—Reid—On the Intellectual Powers— YjSsay VI . t The words of Lord IJacon in the original are these , " Credunt enim homines rationem suam verhis imperare . Sed . fit etiam vt verha vim suam super Intellectuin retorqueant et Teflectant . " ( Nov . Org . Aphm . JAX . )—The reader is also referred to gome observations on this subject by Dr . Heid , in tho > fourth of his Kssayg on the Intellectual Powers , chap . I ., in which h « calls attention to the fuct that , " in innumerable disputes , men do not really differ in their opinions , but in the way of expressing theiu . " It ia almost unnecessary to mention Locke on the abuse of words .
Untitled Article
Cursory Remarks on Prejudice . S 7 S
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1836, page 373, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2658/page/45/
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