A History of Western Philosophy is an excellent book, and one that will teach you not only about philosophy, but about history and politics. And Bertrand Russell is not an impartial commentator, but one of the most respected philosophers in history – which makes this introduction to the best philosophers of the last two millennia … Read more
John Dewey is another proponent of American Pragmatism. He had a profound influence on education and political theory. Russell agrees with much that he has to say. Like William James, Dewey was a New Englander, and he carries on the tradition of New England liberalism. Dewey was influenced positively by his visit to China, and … Read more
William James was a psychologist who made important contributions to philosophy. He invented “radical empiricism” and was one of the three protagonists of the theory called “pragmatism” or “instrumentalism.” He came to be known as the leader of American philosophy. In The Will to Believe, James argues that we are compelled to make decisions even … Read more
Without getting into the economic or political side of Karl Marx, I will mention an important contribution he made to philosophy, which was to emphasize the importance of action. He said, “Philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways, but the real task is to alter it.” His idea was that the truth of a thought must be … Read more
There are generally three types of philosophies. There are philosophies of feeling, inspired by the love of happiness; theoretical philosophies, inspired by the love of knowledge; and practical philosophies, inspired by the love of action. Among philosophies of feeling, there are those that are optimistic and those that are pessimistic, those that offer salvation and … Read more
Karl Marx claimed to have made Socialism scientific, and did more to create the powerful movement that has dominated the recent history of Europe. Russell does not discuss his economic or political work, but only his philosophical work. In one way, he a rationalist, an opponent of the romantics. And he is also a materialist, … Read more
Nietzsche was the successor of Schopenhauer, but was superior to him in many ways, especially in the consistency and coherence of his doctrine. Schopenhauer’s oriental ethic of renunciation does not match his metaphysic of the omnipotence of the will. In Nietzsche, the will has both metaphysical and ethical primacy. Nietzsche was a professor, but he … Read more
Morals stave off chaos. Social order needs discipline, and often is reinforced through religious belief.
There is no growth or security without rules based on morals. Moral codes are not the same, one may conclude, after a provisional reading of history, but more knowledge of history suggests the opposite – that moral codes are universal and necessary.
The vices that exist today were probably virtues in the past – relics of his rise. Sin has flourished in every age. Dishonesty and corruption have always existed, even more so in the past than today. Man has never really followed the Ten Commandments.