Bertrand Russell was a Welsh philosopher, historian, and logician renowned for his rationalist outlook and advocacy for social reform. His extensive and significant writings earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature for championing humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought. Russell's work explored logic, mathematics, and societal issues, leaving a lasting intellectual legacy.
An anthology of essays written by British philosopher Bertrand Russell between 1903 and 1959, including his thoughts on language, epistemology, metaphysics, politics, education, and other topics.
Written at a time when China was largely regarded by the West as backward, The Problem of China sees Russell rise above the prejudices of his era and assess China's past, present and future. This Routledge Classics edition includes a new introduction by Bernard Linsky.
An Essay on the Foundations of Geometry was first published in 1897 and marks Bertrand Russell's first foray into analytic philosophy, a movement in which Russell is one of the founding members and figurehead. This Routledge Classics edition includes a new Foreword by Michael Potter.
This volume is one of the most significant documents on the thought of the giant of the twentieth-century philosophy. Russell's 'Reply to Criticisms,' supplemented by a 1971 'Addendum,' displays his unrivalled clarity, perceptiveness, and scalpel-like wit, on topics ranging from mathematical logic to political philosophy, from epistemology to philosophy of history.
Traces major trends in the history of Western thought as well as narrating the intellectual achievements of individual civilizations and philosophers
This collection of essays explores the absurdities of conventional wisdom through sharp wit and insightful commentary. The author, renowned for their mastery of the essay form, challenges societal norms and expectations, inviting readers to reconsider accepted beliefs. Each piece combines humor with critical analysis, making the exploration of these themes both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Previously published: New York: Simon and Schuster, 1953.
In this volume of essays Bertrand Russell is concerned to combat, in one way or another, the growth of dogmatism, whether of the Right or of the Left, which has hitherto characterised our tragic century. This serious purpose inspires them even if, at times, they seem flippant; for those who are solemn and pontifical. In subject they range from Philosophy for the Layman, The Functions of a Teacher, and The Future of Mankind to an Outline of Intellectual Rubbish, Ideas that have helped Mankind and Ideas that have Harmed Mankind.
Exploring the philosophical desire for omnipotence, the book delves into the human inclination to seek god-like control and the struggle to accept its unattainability. It examines the implications of this yearning on personal identity and societal structures, drawing on insights from Bertrand Russell. Through thought-provoking analysis, it challenges readers to reflect on their aspirations and the nature of power, ultimately confronting the limits of human capability and the search for meaning in a complex world.
The Analysis of Matter is the product of thirty years of thinking by one of the twentieth century's best-known philosophers. This Routledge Classics edition includes the 1992 Introduction by John G. Slater.