Idol
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The term idol (derived from Greek eid-, videre, to see. Also related to eidos, a figure and eidea, an idea or imagination) Greek eidolon: Something visible but without substance, a hollow form. Idol is used in various contexts:
- In religion, originally not used in Holy Scripture, Josephus the Jewish historian later used the term to mean man-made worshipped articles; their worship is called idolatry the worship of hollow forms. In the New Testament it is used to refer to heathen gods and their images and only found in Luke-Acts and certain Pauline epistles.
- In English expression to idolize persons, objects or qualities is to hold them in very high regard. "I idolize your work", "I idolize him because..." .
- In philosophy, Aristotle used the term in this context the idols in the water: as reflections or shadows, in Plato it can also mean shades or apparitions or copies, indeed even inhabitants of the underworld are called eidola, distinctly as copies of real living beings. Francis Bacon introduced the term "idol" to describe various obstacles humans face when trying to truly understand nature. Friedrich Nietzsche in Twilight of the Idols sees idols as abstract unchanging philosophical concepts that need to be swept away to allow for true life to emerge.
- Popular celebrities are commonly known as idols, especially when "worshipped" by teenagers. See teen idol.
- Pop Idol and American Idol etc. are television series that give formerly unknown persons an opportunity to become stars.
- In Japan, idols are highly promoted singing and acting artists, posing draws large fan audiences, satisfied by numerous merchandise articles. See Japanese idol. This is essentially the same thing as the popular celebrities listing above.
- Billy Idol, rock star.