"Again, both literature and philosophy work by appealing to certain reigning idols"

This quote by Morris Raphael Cohen suggests that literature and philosophy both rely on the very same techniques to make their points. By interesting particular "ruling idols," both literature and viewpoint effort to influence the beliefs and viewpoints of their readers. This might refer to making use of popular figures, signs, or concepts to make a point. For example, literature might utilize a popular figure to represent a specific concept, while philosophy might use a symbol to represent a principle. By interesting these "ruling idols," literature and philosophy can make their points more effectively and reach a larger audience. Eventually, this quote suggests that literature and approach are both powerful tools for influencing people's beliefs and opinions.