Bertrand Russell Philosophical Quotes — Page 32

Philosopher, Mathematician

Philosophical

“As for earthquakes, though they were still formidable, they were so interesting that men of science could hardly regret them.”

Men Regret Earthquakes

♥ 5

Bertrand Russell

Philosopher, Mathematician

Philosophical

“... mathematical knowledge ... is, in fact, merely verbal knowledge. "3" means "2+1", and "4" means "3+1". Hence it follows (though the proof is long) that "4" means the same as "2+2". Thus mathematical knowledge ceases to be mysterious.”

Mean Long Numbers

♥ 5

Philosophical

“As men begin to grow civilized, they cease to be satisfied with mere taboos.”

Men Grows

♥ 5

Philosophical

“Orthodoxy is the grave of intelligence, no matter what orthodoxy it may be.”

May Matter

♥ 5

Philosophical

“Philosophy, though unable to tell us with certainty what is the true answer to the doubts which it raises, is able to suggest many possibilities which enlarge our thoughts and free them from the tyranny of custom.”

Philosophy Doubt Answers

♥ 5

Philosophical

“Boys and young men acquire readily the moral sentiments of their social milieu, whatever these sentiments may be.”

Men May Boys

♥ 5

Philosophical

“I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is mass psychology.... Its importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda. Of these the most influential is what is called 'education.' Religion plays a part, though a diminishing one; the press, the cinema, and the radio play an increasing part.... It may be hoped that in time anybody will be able to persuade anybody of anything if he can catch the patient young and is provided by the State with money and equipment.”

Thinking Play Psychology

♥ 5

Philosophical

“Even if we could be certain that one of the world's religions were perfectly true, given the sheer number of conflicting faiths on offer, every believer should expect damnation purely as a matter of probability.”

World Numbers Religion

♥ 5

Philosophical

“No satisfaction based upon self-deception is solid, and however unpleasant the truth may be, it is better to face it once and for all, to get used to it, and to proceed to build your life in accordance with it.”

Self May Deception

♥ 4

Philosophical

“Religion may in most of its forms be defined as the belief that the gods are on the side of the government.”

Government May Sides

♥ 4

Philosophical

“Who ever heard a theologian preface his creed, or a politician conclude his speech with an estimate of the probable error of his opinion?”

Errors Opinion Speech

♥ 4

Philosophical

“The opposition of instinct and reason is mainly illusory. Instinct, intuition, or insight is what first leads to the beliefs which subsequent reason confirms or confutes; but the confirmation, where it is possible, consists, in the last analysis, of agreement with other beliefs no less instinctive. Reason is a harmonizing, controlling force rather than a creative one. Even in the most purely logical realms, it is insight that first arrives at what is new.”

Creative Agreement Intuition

♥ 4

Bertrand Russell — Philosophical Quotes

Bertrand Russell Quotes