"Francis Bacon felt there were certain false appearances, which he called "idols of knowledge," and that these were a hindrance to reason. Which of these "idols" is our desire to believe in ideas that are supported merely by pretty rhetoric rather than by logical, empirical reasoning?"

A) Idols of the tribe
B) Idols of the cave
C) Idols of the marketplace
D) Idols of the theatre
E) Idols of acting

D.

Explanation:

Francis Bacon was one of the earliest thinkers of Britain. He categorized intellectual fallacies into four types of idols, which he named 'Idols of Knowledge.' They are idols of Tribe, Cave, Marketplace, and Theatre.

The idol that supports that our ideas are filled with rhetoric reasoning than logical and empirical is Idol of Theatre. According to the idol of Theatre, there is certain knowledge that has been stored long ago and needs to be emptied before entering new logical and empirical ideas.

So, the correct answer is option D.

for many centuries, the catholic church has been a patron of the arts. the church has used various scientific methods to maintain its power.

not 100% sure though!