Rational Agnostic
Well-Known Member
Concise, eloquent, and brilliant words of wisdom from Bertrand Russell:
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Bertrand Russell's Advice for Future Generations
- Thread starter Rational Agnostic
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Kangaroo Feathers
Yea, it is written in the Book of Cyril...
The guy who didn't believe in God but believed in space teapots? Please.
Spideymon77
A Smiling Empty Soul
Personally, I feel that, no matter what he believed, these words spoken in the video are quite amazing. Sure, the words spoken may be common sense, but sometimes, we lose track of common sense. It's up to us as individuals to not put our feelings above everything else, and look to the truth.
Rational Agnostic
Well-Known Member
What are you talking about? He used an analogy of a tiny space teapot to illustrate the absurdity of un-falsifiable beliefs, but of course he didn't believe in it. BTW, in case you aren't aware, Russell was one of the smartest people who ever lived, certainly much smarter than you or I. His contributions to mathematics and philosophy are extensive, and he was also a very kindhearted man who had great concern about humanity's future.
Kangaroo Feathers
Yea, it is written in the Book of Cyril...
The dude spent half his career trying to prove that one plus one is two. Yeah, let's rush to take advice from THAT guy.
Rational Agnostic
Well-Known Member
Mathematical proofs, even of what seem to be self-evident facts (like 1+1 = 2), are very rigorous and formal, and require careful, logical thinking and patience (I've had some personal experience in this area, though obviously I'm not even close to the level of Russell's intellect). Most people such as yourself aren't cut out for rigorous mathematics, and that's okay, but it's not a good reason to insult those who are.
Hatred is foolish and love is wise are words to live by
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
He used the teapots to illustrate the folly of religious beliefs. If you laugh at the teapots you are laughing at your own religion.
Kangaroo Feathers
Yea, it is written in the Book of Cyril...
Such as myself? I'll take my criticism from people with a working sense of irony, thanks.
Kangaroo Feathers
Yea, it is written in the Book of Cyril...
You might want to get your irony detector recalibrated too
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
You might want to get your irony detector recalibrated too
Sorry, I OD'd on creationists and Trump supporters. It is all out of whack as a result.
Kangaroo Feathers
Yea, it is written in the Book of Cyril...
I feel your pain.
Rational Agnostic
Well-Known Member
Maybe I shouldn't have said that, but I don't think it's fair for you to take shots at Bertrand Russell, who was a very brilliant, wise, and kindhearted man. It's possible that you are more intelligent than I am. However, I'd wager that Russell was significantly smarter than both you and I, or anyone on RF, and it's unfortunate that you seem to want to insult him. At the very least, you should appreciate what he said in this video even if you disagree with him on other issues.
GoodbyeDave
Well-Known Member
I can't be bothered to watch videos: what's wrong with text?
Was Russell brilliant? Well, I suppose it was bad luck that his attempt to base mathematics on logic was demolished by Gödel. But I can't say I was impressed by those of his philosophical books I read.
Then there's the question of kindness and wisdom. This was the man who advocated a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union in 1946 and who described Kennedy as "worse than Hitler".
Was Russell brilliant? Well, I suppose it was bad luck that his attempt to base mathematics on logic was demolished by Gödel. But I can't say I was impressed by those of his philosophical books I read.
Then there's the question of kindness and wisdom. This was the man who advocated a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union in 1946 and who described Kennedy as "worse than Hitler".
Rational Agnostic
Well-Known Member
It's a two-minute video........