podcast 221 – Thomas Reid on human prejudices and common causes of error

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In this podcast, we hear the end of Essay VI of Thomas Reid’s Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man (1785): Chapter 8 “Of Prejudices, the Causes of Error.”

Following a scheme concocted by Francis Bacon (1561–1626), Reid divides prejudices into four classes of “idols”: idola tribus, idola specus, idola fori, and idola theatri. But don’t worry – he explains each group without recourse to any more Latin, and he gives examples where needed.

The Trinity is only mentioned once here, in a illustration of misguided speculation about music – but it is plausible that Reid had Trinity theories and other theological matters at several points in this chapter. Do you agree? And do you think that this scheme is relevant to critical thinking about competing Trinity and Incarnation theories?

Links for this episode:

• Reid’s books with language slightly updated by Dr. Jonathan Bennett
• Thomas Reid @SEP, @Wikipedia
• Francis Bacon
• This week’s thinking music is “Zest” by Basematic.
• Key & Peele – Substitute Teacher