society of man with man, which we call idols of the market, from
the commerce and association of men with each other; for men
converse by means of language, but words are formed at the will of
the generality, and there arises from a bad and unapt formation of
words a wonderful obstruction to the mind. Nor can the definitions
and explanations with which learned men are wont to guard and
protect themselves in some instances afford a complete
remedy--words still manifestly force the understanding, throw
everything into confusion, and lead mankind into vain and
innumerable controversies and fallacies.

44. "Lastly, there are idols which have crept into men's minds
from the various dogmas of peculiar systems of philosophy, and
also from the perverted rules of demonstration, and these we
denominate idols of the theatre: for we regard all the systems of
philosophy hitherto received or imagined, as so many plays brought
out and performed, creating fictitious and theatrical worlds. Nor
do we speak only of the present systems, or of the philosophy and
sects of the ancients, since numerous other plays of a similar
nature can be still composed and made to agree with each other,
the causes of the most opposite errors being generally the same.
Nor, again, do we allude merely to general systems, but also to
many elements and axioms of sciences which have become inveterate
by tradition, implicit credence, and neglect."(8)

Metaphysical speculation and its swarming progeny of blind and selfish
political philosophies, private opinions, private "truths," and private
doctrines, sectarian opinions, sectarian "truths" and sectarian doctrines,
querulous, confused and blind--such is characteristic of the _childhood_ of
humanity. The period of humanity's _manhood_ will, I doubt not, be a
scientific period--a period that will witness the gradual extension of
scientific method to all the interests of mankind--a period in which man
will discover the essential nature of man and establish, at length, the
science and art of directing human energies and human capacities to the
advancement of human weal in accordance with the laws of human nature.

Chapter III. Classes of Life

The problems to be dealt with in this chapter are not easy, but they are
exceedingly important. To classify phenomena correctly, they must be
correctly analysed and clearly de