Bücher von Bertrand Russell

Why I am not a Christian is considered one of the most blasphemous philosophical documents ever written, and at a time when we have faith schools and wars over religious beliefs, its message today couldn't be more relevant.

Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell OM FRS (18 May 1872 - 2 February 1970) was a British polymath, philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, writer, social critic, political activist, and Nobel laureate. Throughout his life, Russell considered himself a liberal, a socialist and a pacifist, although he sometimes suggested that his sceptical nature had led him to feel that he had "never been any of these things, in any profound sense". Russell was born in Monmouthshire into one of the most prominent aristocratic families in the United Kingdom. In the early 20th century, Russell led the British "revolt against idealism". He is considered one of the founders of analytic philosophy along with his predecessor Gottlob Frege, colleague G. E. Moore and protégé Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Previously published: New York: Simon and Schuster, 1953.

How do we know what we 'know'? How did we - as individuals and as a society - come to accept certain knowledge as fact? This title questions the reliability of our assumptions on knowledge. It investigates the relationship between 'individual' and 'scientific' knowledge.

The author 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 know of them but by probability? There is no reason to doubt the existence of external objects simply because of sensory data.The book also looks at the question of mathematical truths and philosophy within mathematics, particularly the question of how pure mathematics is possible.Russell guides the reader through his famous 1910 distinction between knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description and introduces important theories of Plato, Aristotle, René Descartes, David Hume, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and others to lay the foundation for philosophical inquiry by general readers and scholars alike.

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.

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."

¿Existe algún conocimiento en el mundo que pueda ser tan cierto que ningún hombre razonable pueda dudar de él? Esta pregunta, que a primera vista puede no parecer difícil, es realmente una de las más complicadas que se pueden hacer. Cuando nos damos cuenta de los obstáculos que hay para dar una respuesta directa y confiable a esta pregunta, estamos ya en el camino del estudio de la filosofía ¿ porque la filosofía es, simplemente, el intento de dar respuesta a ese tipo de preguntas, sin premura y sin dogmatismos, tal como se hace en la vida común e inclusive en las ciencias, sino críticamente, después de explorar todo lo que hace de esas preguntas un verdadero rompecabezas y después que nos hayamos percatado de toda la vaguedad y la confusión en las que se basan nuestras ideas comunes.

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.