Analysis of the "Four Idols": Insights on Truth- and Knowledge-Seeking from Novum Organum by Francis Bacon
             In the philosophical discourse entitled "Novum Organum," scientific philosopher Francis Bacon elucidated on the importance of experience as the primary and ultimate source of knowledge and truth in humanity. Introducing this idea through his discourse, Bacon furthered his explanation by providing, in explicit terms, categorizations on how human knowledge become clouded as a result of the presence of many versions of truth and knowledge, developed by different "idols" extant in human society.
             These "idols," specifically termed as "Four Idols" by Bacon, are the main causes that "beset men's minds": Idols of the Tribe, Idols of the Cave, Idols of the Marketplace, and Idols of the Theatre. These are identified as idols because in a state of nature wherein human society constantly seeks the truth and knowledge, these idols exist to cloud humanity's judgment in discerning which is the truth and what is authentic knowledge, especially when people have acquired higher levels of learning as society develops and progresses.
             This paper discusses in detail the Four Idols that Bacon has identified, with special focus on the Idol of the Theatre. In discussing this particular Idol for analysis, this research centers on the issue of the implementation of the Modernist Project as America's response to the threat of Communism, which prompted the emergence and eventual declaration of the Cold War. This paper posits that the Modernist Project can be likened to the Idols of the Theatre, wherein its implementation created the political propaganda that modernism and democracy is the ideal system for all societies, whatever cultural environments they have. This ideology debunks the idea of Communism, or any other alternative politico-economic system, as being equally or...