Bøger af Bertrand Russell

Available for the first time in many years, Commonsense and Nuclear Warfare presents Russell's keen insights into the threat of nuclear conflict, and his argument that the only way to end this threat is to end war itself. Written at the height of the Cold War, this volume is crucial for understanding Russell's involvement in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and his passionate campaigning for peace. It remains an extremely important book in today's uncertain nuclear world, and is essential reading for all those interested in Russell and postwar history. Includes a new introduction by Ken Coates, Chairman of The Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation.

Logical Atomism is a philosophy that sought to account for the world in all its various aspects by relating it to the structure of the language in which we articulate information. In The Philosophy of Logical Atomism, Bertrand Russell, with input from his young student Ludwig Wittgenstein, developed the concept and argues for a reformed language based on pure logic. Despite Russell's own future doubts surrounding the concept, this founding and definitive work in analytical philosophy by one of the world's most significant philosophers is a remarkable attempt to establish a novel way of thinking.

"Proposed Roads to Freedom" is a book by the British philosopher Bertrand Russell. The book presents a comprehensive critique of the existing social, political, and economic systems, and proposes new ways to achieve individual freedom and social justice. Russell argues that the current capitalist economic system is inherently flawed, leading to inequality and exploitation of the working class. In addition to economic reform, Russell also proposes changes in education, religion, and gender relations to create a more equitable and just society. He advocates for an education system that encourages free inquiry and critical thinking, rather than rote memorization. He also critiques organized religion and calls for a separation of church and state. Moreover, "Proposed Roads to Freedom" is a thought-provoking and radical critique of the status quo, offering a vision for a more just and equal society.

The attempt to conceive imaginatively a better ordering of human society than the destructive and cruel chaos in which mankind has hitherto existed is by no means modern: it is at least as old as Plato, whose "Republic" set the model for the Utopias of subsequent philosophers. Whoever contemplates the world in the light of an ideal, whether what he seeks be intellect, or art, or love, or simple happiness, or all together, must feel a great sorrow in the evils that men needlessly allow to continue, and, if he be a man of force and vital energy, an urgent desire to lead men to the realization of the good which inspires his creative vision.It is this desire which has been the primary force moving the pioneers of Socialism and Anarchism, as it moved the inventors of ideal commonwealths in the past. In this there is nothing new. What is new in Socialism and Anarchism, is that close relation of the ideal to the present sufferings of men, which has enabled powerful political movements to grow out of the hopes of solitary thinkers. It is this that makes Socialism and Anarchism important, and it is this that makes them dangerous to those who batten, consciously or unconsciously upon the evils of our present order of society.

The Proposed Roads to Freedom is a treatise by the philosopher Bertrand Russell, which contemplates a society in which anarcho-communism is coupled with worker syndicalism.Russell discusses various aspects of socialist-communist and syndicalist thought, and applies them to the various portions of civil society. Beginning with an examination of the history of the political theories and their potential for success, Russell proposes a sort of 'guild socialism' whereby workers are organized into different groupings and specialisms, as opposed to the centralized, bureaucratic system advocated by state socialism. Although Russell believes that the socialist system would be the closest to perfection, he does not believe that it would be entirely lacking of flaws. Furthermore, Russell attributes many problems of the theory as solvable over time; a fine-tuning of the technical implementation of socialist economics would, so the author proposes, iron out the problems and inefficiencies in the system.

British philosopher, logician, and political activist Bertrand Russell had a broad spectrum of political views. His dedication to human liberty, social fairness, and international collaboration influenced his worldview. Russell upheld the importance of one's own independence, free expression, and individual liberty. He believed that liberalism was the philosophy of politics that best promoted individual liberty. Russell was a socialist who saw wealth redistribution and economic equality as necessary. He believed that socialism will help to create a society that is more fair and equitable. Russell thought that nationalism and war were evil forces that needed to be defeated. He pushed for the establishment of a global government that would endeavor to stop conflicts and promote intergovernmental harmony. Russell was a staunch pacifist who thought that no circumstance ever called for going to war. He considered the use of force to be a failure of diplomacy and thought that international conflicts might be settled amicably. Russell felt that every person has intrinsic value and dignity. He believed that humanism may help people thrive and be happy. Russell's political beliefs were primarily motivated by the desire to build a fairer, peaceful, and equitable society that upholds individual freedom, fosters economic equality, and values international cooperation.

Bertrand Russell released a collection of articles titled "Mysticism and Logic and Other Essays" in 1917. The pieces discuss a variety of subjects, including the essence of truth, the boundaries of knowledge, and the interaction between science and religion. In the first article, "Mysticism and Logic," the distinctions between mystical and scientific modes of thought are explored. Russell contends that science is supported by logic and factual data, while mysticism is based on faith and intuition. Russell argues in "The Role of Science in a Liberal Education" that science is crucial to a well-rounded education because it fosters skepticism and critical thinking. The writings "The Study of Mathematics," "On Scientific Method in Philosophy," and "The Ultimate Constituents of Matter" are among the others in the book. These writings examine issues including the nature of reality, the philosophy of mathematics, and the connection between science and philosophy. "Mysticism and Logic and Other Essays" is a tough and thought-provoking collection of articles that explores some of the most important issues surrounding human life. Russell writes in a straightforward, succinct manner, and his points are well substantiated. The writings continue to be a helpful resource for anybody interested in philosophy, science, or the nature of knowing and are still read and debated extensively today.

An Essay on the Foundations of Geometry was first published in 1897, and is based on Russell's Cambridge dissertation as well as lectures given during a journey through the USA. Bertrand Russell's Preface from the book:The present work is based on a dissertation submitted at the Fellowship Examination of Trinity College, Cambridge, in the year 1895. Section B of the third chapter is in the main a reprint, with some serious alterations, of an article in Mind (New Series, No. 17). The substance of the book has been given in the form of lectures at the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania.My chief obligation is to Professor Klein. Throughout the first chapter, I have found his "Lectures on non-Euclidean Geometry" an invaluable guide; I have accepted from him the division of Metageometry into three periods, and have found my historical work much lightened by his references to previous writers. In Logic, I have learnt most from Mr Bradley, and next to him, from Sigwart and Dr Bosanquet. On several important points, I have derived useful suggestions from Professor James's "Principles of Psychology."

Free Thought and Official Propaganda is a speech delivered in 1922 by Bertrand Russell on the importance of unrestricted freedom of expression in society, and the problem of the state and political class interfering in this through control of education, fines, economic leverage, and distortion of evidence. Russell starts out by describing the more common use of the term "free thought" to mean that one does not accept unquestioning belief in the popular religion of a region, or ideally of any religion at all. He notes that this is not allowed in any country at all, with the possible exception of China at that time. One could not, for example, immigrate to the US without swearing they are not an anarchist or polygamous, and once inside must not be communist. In Great Britain he must not express disbelief in Christianity, in Japan of Shinto. Russell notes that countries like these may think of themselves as having freedom of expression, but that some ideas are so obviously "monstrous and immoral" that such tolerance does not apply to them. But, he points out, this is exactly the same view that allowed torture during the Inquisition, that all ideas must be allowed to be expressed, no matter how obviously bad. This repression by the political class, Russell notes, is not limited to religion. Believers in free love or communism are treated even worse.

In The Analysis of Mind, one of his most influential and exciting books, Russell presents an intriguing reconciliation of the materialism of psychology with the antimaterialism of physics.Bertrand Russell unfolds his ideas on consciousness, instinct and habit, desire and feeling, introspection, perception, sensations and images, memory, words and meaning, belief, and characteristics of mental phenomenon. Throughout, he explores the mystery of the mind, and proposes that there exists a fundamental material of which both mind and matter exist. "The stuff of which the world of our experience is composed is, in my belief, neither mind nor matter, but something more primitive than either." He wrote. "Both mind and matter seem to be composite, and the stuff of which they are compounded lies in a sense between the two, in a sense above them both, like a common ancestor." It remains one of the most important works on the philosophy of the mind.

In The Problems of Philosophy, Bertrand Russell attempts to create a brief and accessible guide to the problems of philosophy. He introduces philosophy as a repeating series of (failed) attempts to answer the same questions: Can we prove that there is an external world? Can we prove cause and effect? Can we validate any of our generalizations? Can we objectively justify morality? He asserts that philosophy cannot answer any of these questions and that any value of philosophy must lie elsewhere than in offering proofs to these questions.Focusing on problems he believes will provoke positive and constructive discussion, Russell concentrates on knowledge rather than metaphysics: If it is uncertain that external objects exist, how can we then have knowledge of them but by probability. There is no reason to doubt the existence of external objects simply because of sense data.A lively and still one of the best introductions to philosophy, this book is a closer reading for students, specialists and casual reading for the general public.

Political Ideals was written during the upheaval of World War I. It is, in many ways, a statement of Russell's beliefs, a declaration of the ideas that influenced his thinking on the major events of the 20th century. In this sense, it is essential reading for every student of this great philosopher.Russell criticizes both capitalism and socialism based on his strong conviction that everything of value comes ultimately from the individual. The only true aim of politics, he says, is to give free play, as far as possible, to every person's natural creativity. This means that political systems should be designed to curb the deadening forces of acquisition, power, and convention, all of which tend to stifle individual creative impulses. Russell suggests that in an ideal system there would be autonomy within each politically important group and the principle of employee-ownership and self-governance within businesses would be the norm. Government would serve only as a neutral authority to decide questions between the various self-governing groups.

Written in response to the devastation of World War I, Why Men Fight lays out Bertrand Russell's ideas on war, pacifism, reason, impulse, and personal liberty. Russell argues that when individuals live passionately, they will have no desire for war or killing. Conversely, excessive restraint or reason causes us to live unnaturally and with hostility toward those who are unlike ourselves.In this book Russell talks about the reasons for wars. He talks about institutions that shape the life of an individual such as schools, state, marriage, churches, etc. and how they contribute to wars. And he concludes how to change the state of affairs so that wars can be prevented.This book is a must read for all with an intent to make this world peaceful and a better place.

Bertrand Russell, a philosopher, published The Problems of Philosophy in 1912. In this book, he makes an effort to produce a short and accessible overview of the issues with philosophy. He describes philosophy as a series of ongoing (failed) attempts to address the same issues. Philosophy cannot provide value by providing answers to these issues through proof.According to Bertrand Russell, the existence of external things cannot be questioned based solely on sensory evidence. Russell explains his well-known distinction between information gained by acquaintance and knowledge gained via description made in 1910. Aristotle, Descartes, David Hume, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and other thinkers are among those whose views he introduces.A summary of significant philosophical contributions is given in The Problems of Philosophy. Russell evaluates earlier arguments critically and reacts to them using his own set of distinctions and tools. However, the context in which problems develop is universal, as is what interests us about reality and our perception of it.