Difference between revisions of "Bertrand Russell"
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| − | Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) was a 20th century atheist<ref>His own characterization: "I never know whether I should say 'Agnostic' or whether I should say 'Atheist'.... As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic, because I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one [can] prove that there is not a God. On the other hand, if I am to convey the right impression to the ordinary man in the street I think I ought to say that I am an Atheist, because when I say that I cannot prove that there is not a God, I ought to add equally that I cannot prove that there are not the Homeric gods." Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.</ref> championed by liberals and awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 for his pacifist writings. | + | Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) was a 20th century philosopher, mathematician and atheist<ref>His own characterization: "I never know whether I should say 'Agnostic' or whether I should say 'Atheist'.... As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic, because I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one [can] prove that there is not a God. On the other hand, if I am to convey the right impression to the ordinary man in the street I think I ought to say that I am an Atheist, because when I say that I cannot prove that there is not a God, I ought to add equally that I cannot prove that there are not the Homeric gods." Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.</ref> championed by liberals and awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 for his pacifist writings. |
| − | + | His biggest work was a three-volume attempt to derive all mathematical principles from a well-defined set of axioms and inference rules in symbolic logic, entitled ''Principia Mathematica'' (1910-1913). He published this work with [[Alfred North Whitehead]]. | |
Russell failed in his effort. In fact, [[Kurt Godel]] proved in 1931 that what Russell attempted to do is mathematically impossible. | Russell failed in his effort. In fact, [[Kurt Godel]] proved in 1931 that what Russell attempted to do is mathematically impossible. | ||
Revision as of 19:40, March 26, 2007
Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) was a 20th century philosopher, mathematician and atheist[1] championed by liberals and awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 for his pacifist writings.
His biggest work was a three-volume attempt to derive all mathematical principles from a well-defined set of axioms and inference rules in symbolic logic, entitled Principia Mathematica (1910-1913). He published this work with Alfred North Whitehead.
Russell failed in his effort. In fact, Kurt Godel proved in 1931 that what Russell attempted to do is mathematically impossible.
During the Cold War he advocated nuclear disarmament, provoking controversy with the phrase "better Red than dead."
A member of British nobility with the title of "Earl", Russell remained a hero to those on the political left, particularly in the English-speaking world, throughout his life.
Notes and references
- ↑ His own characterization: "I never know whether I should say 'Agnostic' or whether I should say 'Atheist'.... As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic, because I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one [can] prove that there is not a God. On the other hand, if I am to convey the right impression to the ordinary man in the street I think I ought to say that I am an Atheist, because when I say that I cannot prove that there is not a God, I ought to add equally that I cannot prove that there are not the Homeric gods." Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[1] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.