Errors of thought in Francis Bacon and Maulānā's Perspectives

This inquiry aims at comparing opinions of Francis Bacon and Maulānā Jalāl al-Din on ‘errors of thought’. This term refers to false thoughts that according to ancient and contemporary philosophers, and many poets of Islamic world should be identified to avoid wrong judgments. Firstly, the definition of these errors according to the philosopher Francis Bacon will be provided. He coined the term ‘idols of the mind’ to refer to these errors. Then, the obstacles created by these errors in the way of genuine research and true judgment will be explained. Finally, Francis Bacon’s ideas on these errors will be compared to the ideas of Maulānā in Mathnavī, and the similarities and differences between them will be examined.