Blog 13

Bacon:

1. Define the word idols in the sense that Bacon seems to use it. Is the word idol a good term to use for the idea that lies behind it?

Bacon defines each idol as being an aspect of life, and how everyone has their own of these four idols in life. Because everyone thinks and believes different this could cause problems in society. Idol is used as a positive term, usually trying to be like something of good. 

2. Compare the importance of one idol with that of another. Is it possible to determine which is more likely to prevent the acquisition of true knowledge?

Each idol in Bacon rhetoric represents an error, the Idol of the tribe is errors we humans make together, idol of the cave is our own errors, and idol of the marketplace is errors of others, and idols of theatre are learned from people who are wrong.  The least serve is the idol of the tribe because everyone makes a mistake together, while the most serve is the idol of the cave because it's an error you made and everyone makes mistakes but it's something only you have to deal with. 

3. Which of the idols are the results of social intercourse, and which are the results of individual reflection? Would a person be more likely to be free of the tyranny of the idols if he/she were restricted in society? Is it possible that a hermit would be completely free of the idols? Or would he become more free the more he socialized?

Idols of social intercourse is the ideal of the marketplace. Idols of the tribe is the result of individual reflection. If someone was restricted in society they would more likely to be confined in the idols. No he wouldn't completely be free from the idols and would be more into the idol of the cave into his own error. The more someone socializes the more knowledge they gain. 

Darwin:

1. Define the phrase the survival of the fittest (the title of this chapter in a later edition of On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection). Look for ways in which its implications can be fully understood. Look, also, for examples by which it can be illustrated.

The survival of the fittest is the strongest have a better chance of living. An example is a bird laid eggs only a couple survived due to lack of food for all. 

2. Compare the breeding of animals with natural selection. Which is more directed? Which is more dominated by chance? Which is more efficient? Which is more important?

Breeding of animals is taking the breeds you want and breeding them together. The outcome is somewhat in terms of the traits you wanted. You're taking pre-existing traits and trying to make the best one. Natural selection is the random selection of traits, and it could come out just as good or better as breeding something. I think are very important, but natural selection is more important in my opinion.

3. How does cloning affect Darwin’s views? Is cloning likely to undo the beneficial work of natural selection?

Cloning would be cool as if you had something that was very strong in its particular environment you wouldn't need natural selection to try and make the strongest of the fittest when everyone could be the strongest. Yes cloning would undo the beneficial work of natural selection, and what happens when those clones don't fit the changing environment. 

4. How does human social policy affect the survival of the fittest? Are modern medicine and modern social welfare agencies causing humans to be less fit? 

I don't think medicine is causing humans to be less fit, more so helping humans become stronger.