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Such a group of ideas is what Bacon would have called a scientific fetich or idolum theatri.

A scientific idolum is a traditional belief or dogma as to principles, values, and methods, which has so thoroughly pervaded the minds of those engaged in a branch of inquiry, that they no longer recognise its hypothetical character,—its relation of means to the main end of their function.

Footnote 78: The title runs thus: "Idolum Principium, that is, the rulers' idol, which they worship in these days and call Ratio Status, described in a not fabulous fable, after the manner of history."

It begins thus— "O admirabile veneris idolum"— and continues in this strain, upon the same rhythm, blending reminiscences of classical mythology and medieval metaphysic, and winding up with a reference to the Horatian Vitas hinnuleo me similis Chloe.

Even Lord James, he says to Calvin, though the Abdiel of godliness, “is afraid to overthrow that idol by violence”—idolum illud missalicum.