Bertrand Russell - Mankind's Future & Philosophy
Summary
TLDRIn this insightful dialogue, Russell explores the essence of philosophy, distinguishing it from science by its speculative nature on matters beyond current exact knowledge. He articulates philosophy's dual purpose: to stimulate speculation in areas not yet accessible to scientific inquiry and to foster a humble recognition of our intellectual limits. Russell highlights philosophy's historical evolution, noting its shift from speculative hypotheses, like Democritus's atomic theory, to established scientific facts. He also discusses the diverse roles and perspectives of philosophers, advocating for philosophy's role in understanding the world rather than merely altering it. Through examples, Russell underscores the importance of philosophy in encouraging thoughtful action amidst uncertainty and fostering intellectual modesty.
Takeaways
- 🤔 Philosophy involves speculation about matters where exact knowledge is not yet possible.
- 📊 Science represents what we know, whereas philosophy covers what we don't know, highlighting a dynamic transition of concepts from philosophy to science as knowledge advances.
- 💭 Philosophy serves to keep alive speculation about things not yet amenable to scientific knowledge, expanding the imaginative purview of the world.
- 🔍 Philosophy also plays a critical role in revealing the limits of our knowledge, urging a modest awareness of the vast unknown.
- 💡 Historical examples, like the atomic hypothesis by Democritus, showcase philosophy's role in seeding ideas that later become scientific truths.
- 🌎 Philosophy and science are distinct but interconnected, with philosophy addressing questions beyond the scope of current scientific understanding, including values and ethics.
- 📖 Philosophical schools and trends vary by region and historical period, reflecting diverse focuses from understanding the world to moral and ethical considerations.
- 🌱 The role of philosophy in society includes both supporting and challenging the status quo, as exemplified by different philosophical figures and movements.
- 🔬 Bertrand Russell identifies himself with 'logical atomism', emphasizing the importance of analysis to reach foundational logical elements of understanding.
- 🚩 Modern philosophy, especially in English-speaking countries, has evolved towards linguistic analysis to clarify the meanings of questions rather than directly answering them.
- 📚 Philosophy's practical utility lies in enabling action with vigor in the face of uncertainty, encouraging a balance between doubt and decisiveness.
Q & A
What is Russell's definition of philosophy?
-Russell says philosophy consists of speculations about matters where exact knowledge is not yet possible.
What is the difference between philosophy and science according to Russell?
-Russell says science is what we know, while philosophy is what we don't know. As knowledge advances, things cease to be philosophy and become science.
What are the two main uses of philosophy according to Russell?
-Russell says the two main uses of philosophy are 1) to keep alive speculation about things not yet amenable to scientific knowledge, and 2) to show that there are things we thought we knew but actually do not know.
Why does Russell think Democritus was ahead of his time?
-Russell says Democritus invented the atomic theory, which turned out to be the right scientific view over 2000 years later. But in his day it was just a suggestion that could not be tested.
What does Russell see as the purpose of philosophy regarding changing versus understanding the world?
-Russell believes the purpose of philosophy should not be to change the world, but rather to understand it. This is the opposite view of Marx.
What does Russell mean by 'logical atomism' in defining his personal philosophy?
-By logical atomism, Russell means analyzing a subject matter down to things that cannot be analyzed further. These would be the logical building blocks out of which the thing is constructed.
What does Russell see as the main trend in English-speaking philosophy today?
-Russell observes a trend toward linguistic philosophy - focusing on getting the meanings of questions clear rather than actually answering them.
How does Russell suggest philosophy can help guide practical action?
-Russell believes philosophy can help people act vigorously even when uncertain, by instilling every belief with some doubt and avoiding false certainty.
Why does Russell think science diminishes the importance of philosophy?
-As science advances and provides more knowledge, Russell believes it inevitably reduces the scope and importance of speculative philosophy.
What does Russell see as philosophy's continuing value?
-Russell says philosophy retains value by addressing questions beyond science, and by promoting intellectual modesty about the limits of human knowledge.
Outlines
🤔 The Nature and Value of Philosophy
This segment delves into the controversial nature of defining philosophy, distinguishing it from science based on what is currently known versus what is not. It presents philosophy as a domain of speculation in areas where exact knowledge is unattainable, emphasizing its dynamic nature as it evolves with the growth of scientific understanding. The conversation highlights philosophy's role in fostering speculation beyond the confines of current scientific knowledge, encouraging a broadening of imagination and maintaining a critical stance towards assumed knowledge. It underscores the historical progression from philosophical speculation to scientific verification, illustrated by the atomic hypothesis from Greek philosophy, and discusses philosophy's enduring purpose in expanding our understanding and challenging our convictions.
🔄 Philosophy's Role in Society and Individual Thought
This paragraph explores the divergent roles and perceptions of philosophy through history, focusing on its shift from understanding the world to influencing moral conduct. It critically examines the contrasting purposes of philosophers, either to uphold or challenge societal norms, with a reflection on Karl Marx's impact. The discussion extends to the personal identity of a philosopher, touching on the avoidance of labels and the significance of analytical methodology. Furthermore, it delves into contemporary philosophical trends, differentiating between English-speaking regions and Continental Europe, and critiques the focus on linguistic analysis over substantive answers. Lastly, it addresses the practical utility of philosophy in aiding individuals to navigate life with conviction amidst uncertainty, highlighting the value of doubt and the importance of acting on probabilities.
🌱 The Future and Practical Impact of Philosophy
This concluding segment reflects on the diminishing significance of philosophy due to the advancements in science, while still acknowledging its critical role in addressing questions beyond the scope of scientific inquiry. It emphasizes philosophy's contribution to fostering intellectual humility and the recognition of the complexity and uncertainty inherent in understanding the world. The discussion underscores the ongoing need for philosophy to challenge assumptions and stimulate modesty in knowledge claims, pointing out the absence of shortcuts to true understanding. The segment concludes with an optimistic yet realistic view of philosophy's enduring relevance in enriching our intellectual and practical engagement with the world.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Philosophy
💡Science
💡Speculation
💡Knowledge
💡Atomic Hypothesis
💡Imagination
💡Values
💡Linguistic Philosophy
💡Certainty
💡Continental Philosophy
Highlights
Philosophy involves speculations about matters where exact knowledge is not yet possible.
The difference between philosophy and science is that science is what we know and philosophy is what we don't know.
As knowledge advances, certain topics move from philosophy to science.
Philosophy has two main uses: to keep alive speculation on not yet scientifically understood matters and to expand our imagination beyond current scientific knowledge.
Philosophy also serves to make us aware of our limitations in knowledge and to foster a modest intellectual attitude.
Examples of philosophical speculation leading to scientific discovery include the atomic hypothesis by Democritus.
Philosophy is not just a precursor to science but also addresses questions of values that science cannot answer.
The attitude towards philosophy has evolved, with early emphasis on understanding the world and later focus on morality.
Philosophers are divided into those who uphold the status quo and those who challenge it, with Marx as an example of the latter.
The main trend in English-speaking philosophy is linguistic, focusing on clarifying the meaning of questions rather than answering them.
Continental philosophy is more broad and includes various schools of thought, such as existentialism and apologetics for traditional religion.
The philosophy advocated by Russell aims to enable action with vigor despite uncertainty and to foster a culture of questioning and doubt.
Philosophy encourages acting on probabilities and emphasizes the importance of doubt in fostering intellectual modesty.
The future role of philosophy may be diminished by the advancements of science, but it remains crucial in addressing questions beyond the scope of current scientific understanding.
Philosophy's value lies in its ability to make people more intellectually modest and to remind us of the complexity and uncertainty inherent in understanding the world.
Transcripts
well Russell what is philosopher
well that's very controversial question
I think new to philosophers will give
you the same answer
my own view would be that philosophy
consists of speculations about matters
where exact knowledge is not yet
possible but that will never be my
answer not anybody else's
what's the difference between philosophy
and science yeah we're ruff you say the
science is what we know and philosophy
is what we don't know that's a simple
definition and for that reason the
Christians are perpetually passing over
from philosophy into science has
knowledge advances when something is
established and discovered it ceases to
be philosophy and becomes from yes and
also changes it used to be labeled
philosophy and around the so labeled
what good is an officer I think it also
he has two uses really one of them is to
keep alive speculation about things that
are not yet amenable to scientific
knowledge utter all scientific knowledge
covers a very small part of the things
that interest mankind and ought to
introduce them there are great many
things remains interest about which
science at present veterinary as I say
and I don't want people's imaginations
to be limited and enclosed within what
can be now known and I think to enlarge
your imaginative the purview of the
world into the hypothetical realm is one
of the uses of philosophy but there's
another use which i think is equally
important with
is to show that there are things we
thought we knew and don't know on the
one hand to keep us thinking about
things that we may come to know and on
the other hand to keep us modestly aware
of how much that seemed like knowledge
isn't knowledge could you give some
illustrations of the sorts of subs if it
have been speculated about and then
produced on matera without later yes
it's quite easy to do so especially from
Greek philosophy the Greeks invented the
hood lot of hypotheses which turned out
valuable later but which in their day
couldn't be tested take for example the
atomic hypothesis Democritus invented
the atomic hypothesis that matter
consists of little atoms and after about
two thousand years rather more than that
it turned out that this was the right
scientific view but in his day it was
merely a suggestion but didn't take I
think that Democritus is fairly about
Athens with a lot of noms
pretos horrified by him said only spoke
shortly bread because Plato didn't like
science he liked mathematics but he
didn't like anything else that was
scientific now in this way philosophy is
a sense become the kind of person design
wherein it's perfect
committed of course it didn't only a
servant of science because there are a
number of things that science can't do
with all questions of values for example
science won't tell you what is good what
is bad tell you what is good or bad as
an end not just as a means what changes
are being over the heirs in the attitude
of philosophers and the public to
philosophy with who they're well it
depends upon the school of philosophy
that you're thinking of in Peter and in
Aristotle in those
there was the main thing was an attempt
to understand the world and that I
should say personally is what philosophy
ought to be doing but there then you
come on to the Stoics and their emphasis
was mainly on on morality that you ought
to be sterically want to endure
misfortunes patiently and that came to
be the popular use of a philosopher
would you say that Marx of the
Philosopher's really he was in the
Sidney inoffensive philosopher but now
there you have an important division
among philosophers there are some
philosophers who exist to uphold the
status quo and others who exist to upset
it and marks across belongs to the
second block for my part I should get
both those as being not the true
business or a philosopher and I should
say the be nice or philosophers now to
change the world but to understand it
which is the exact opposite of what
Martha said what kind of a philosopher
would you say you are well the only
label diverges logical a tourist with
very keen on the label I rather avoided
labels I mean a lot of laughter it means
in my mind that the way to get at the
nature of any subject matter you're
looking at is analysis and that you can
analyze until you get to things that
can't be analysed any further and those
would be logical atoms I call them
logical atoms because they're not little
bits of matter there the search speak I
dia out of which the thing is built up
what is the main trend of philosophy
today wherever not have to distinguish
there between english-speaking countries
and cut it into European countries the
trends a much more separate than they
used to be very much more in
english-speaking countries especially in
there is a new philosophy rich as a
reason I think through the desire to
find a separate field for philosophy in
what I was saying a moment ago it would
appear that philosophy is merely
incomplete science and there are people
who don't like that you they want to
have science hemisphere philosophy
hemisphere to itself that has led them
into what you may call linguistic
philosophy that the important thing for
the philosopher is not to answer
questions but to get the meaning of the
questions quite clear
I can't myself agreed to that view would
do I could give an illustration I was
once bicycling to Winchester and I lost
my way and I went to a village shop and
I said can you tell me the shortest way
to Winchester and the man I asked called
to a man in a back region whom I
couldn't see gentleman wants to know the
shortest way to Winchester and the voice
to met Winchester I way to Winchester i
shortest way I don't know so I had to go
on without getting an answer well that
is what upset Joseph II thinks one
should do we get the question right
never mind about the arm
yes it's somebody else's business to
give the answer how does this differ
from the Continental opposed the
Continental approach he said well it's
more for bloodied I don't agree with it
anymore but in a sense it's much more
bloodied and much more like philosophies
of earlier times there are various kinds
as the philosophy comes from killer
guard
realism and then the the philosophies
they designed to provide apologetics for
traditional religion various things that
thought I don't think myself that
there's anything very important in all
that what practical you is your sort of
philosophy to a man who wants to know
how to conduct himself I think many
people write to me saying they're now
completely puzzled as to how they ought
to conduct themselves because they have
ceased to accept the traditional
signpost to right action and don't know
what others to adopt and I think that
the sort of philosophy I believe in is
useful in this way that it enables
people to act with vigor when they're
not absolutely certain that is the right
action
I think nobody should be certain of
anything if you're certain you're
certainly wrong because nothing is a
certainty and so I know who held all
one's beliefs with a certain element of
doubt and when all to be able to act
vigorously in spite of the doubt at all
this is what a general does when he's
planning a battle he doesn't quite know
what the enemy will do but if he's a
good general ekc thread he's a bad
generally is he's wrong
but one has in practical life to act
upon probabilities and what I should
look to philosophy to do is to encourage
people to act with vigor without
complete certainty yes not how about
this business there are from making
people spell uncertain about things
they'd believe and have faith in doesn't
that rather disturb them really it does
for time of course and I think a certain
amount of despair
she's an essential part of mental
training but then if they have any
knowledge of science they get a ballast
which enables them to avoid being
completely upset by the doubts that they
ought to feel what do you think is the
future philosopher
I don't think philosophy can in the
future have anything likely importance
that it had either to the Greeks or in
the Middle Ages patting clear eyes of
science inevitably diminishes the
importance of philosophy well would you
follow the value of philosopher first
because as I say it keeps you realizing
that there are very big very important
questions that science generated present
can't deal with and that a scientific
attitude by itself is not adequate and
the second thing it does is to make
people a little more modest
intellectually and aware little great
many things which have been thought
certain turned out to be untrue and
there's no shortcut to knowledge and
that the understanding of the world
which to my mind is the underlying
purpose that every philosopher should
have that that is a very long and
difficult business about which we ought
not to be dogmatic thank you Laura
تصفح المزيد من مقاطع الفيديو ذات الصلة
The History of Atomic Chemistry: Crash Course Chemistry #37
Part 2: Philosophy as SCIENCE
THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY ¿WHAT IS PHILOSPHY?
The most ASKED philosophical QUESTION | Still UNANSWERED
The Importance of Philosophy
Sejarah Filsafat barat (kata pengantar) - Bertrand Russell | Audiobook Bahasa Indonesia
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)