Bertrand Russell Philosophy: Peace and Logic

In 1950 Bertrand Russell won the Nobel Prize for Literature; They recognized his varied and significant writings on freedom of thought and humanitarian ideals, topics addressed in this article.

Bertrand Russell represents one of the most influential approaches in the history of modern philosophy. He is a British scholar and logician, whose work It impacted epistemology, metaphysics, the theory of knowledge and the philosophy of science.

The thought of this intellectual was marked by the two world wars, from which he stimulated reflections on armed conflicts and their effects on humanity. This article explores Russell’s philosophical current, as well as the issues related to ethics and coexistence in society that he also addressed.

Bertrand Russell: figure and intellectual significance

Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher, mathematician, logician and pacifist.. He was born in 1872 in Trellech, a town in Wales. Since he was little he was involved in political issues, following family tradition. He was imprisoned several times, due to his ideology and his fierce defense of freedom of expression.

His intellectual life was fruitful. Within the Vienna Circle, Russell was one of the initiators of logical analysis, maintaining that language and knowledge are composed of linguistic atoms: basic units of meaning combined according to logical rules, to form complex linguistic expressions.

In the same way, made valuable contributions to modern mathematical logic; The UNAM Mathematics Institute highlights the following:

Russell’s paradox. First-order calculus. Introduction to type theory. Defense of logicism or formal logic of mathematics.

What is behind the philosophy for Bertrand Russell?

Russell defended freedom of speech, arguing that power should not come from coercion.

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Russell’s conception of philosophy was revolutionary, because he considered that this was a middle ground between theology and science: the first cannot aspire to exact knowledge; The second appeals to human reason to know.

Science is what we know; philosophy, what we don’t know.

-Bertrand Russell-

In this sense, it attempts to develop a clarifying philosophy regarding the metaphysical speculations made so far. His method focuses on the logical analysis of language. Hence, the philosophical movement to which Russell adheres is logical atomism, highlights an article in tribute to this thinker, published in the National University Magazine.

This atomism considers that the world is made up of simple facts that are expressed through language and can be studied from their logical form.

The same way, Atomic facts have the peculiarity of referring to a single object and its property at a particular moment.. An example of this would be the sentence “the apple is red right now.”

Based on such facts, more complex semantic or meaning structures are created. In this way, they will be able to cover a broader range of reality. Even so, it must be noted that For Russell, atomic facts are the basic construction of the world.

The role of language in the philosophy of Bertrand Russell

The analysis of language is fundamental to Russell’s philosophy. What does it consist of? In analyzing the meaning of words, because they refer to objects and properties in the real world.

Therefore, the analysis of language begins with sentences understood as propositions. This means that they are considered as linguistic expressions that have truth values: true and false. At the same time, every sentence or proposition expresses facts from the real world and abstractions from it. For example: the sky is blue or the triangle has a right angle.

Russell’s ethics

Bertrand Russell not only wrote about the problems related to the philosophy of knowledge, he was also interested in the ethics. In it he established a relationship between happiness and goodness. According to the philosopher, the good and kind individual will necessarily be happy.

So, developed an ethic of benevolence, due to its moralizing character and its contemporizing and liberal style, outline a job General Study. This dimension of ethics is contrary to that founded on the universality of duty and norms, and also proposes a pseudo-subjectivism.

What does it mean? It means that Each subject adopts some values as a guide and that this choice is personal.. Furthermore, each person writes their own definition of what a good life is; an activity stimulated by personal feelings and emotions.

It seems at first glance that Russell worked on the principle of ethical individualism or morality where everyone is governed by their own rules. But the reality is that he took into account that kindness or a good action has social repercussions.

The good life, as I conceive it, is a happy life. I don’t mean that if you are good, you will be happy, but that if you are happy, you will be good.

– Bertrand Russell –

Russell and freedom of speech

Very much in keeping with the spirit of the post-world war era, Russell argued that Freedom is the highest aspiration that a human being can reach.. Maintaining this position caused problems for the philosopher, who was imprisoned several times.

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And according to the above, proposed freedom of thought or expression, claiming that power should not come through force and much less coercion or restriction of freedoms. On the contrary, he exalted the freedom to say and do what one thinks, regardless of all authority.

This British philosopher promoted the ethics of benevolence and moralizing character.

A message for the future in the philosophy of Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell stood out for his pacifist side, focused on the defense of social coexistence. In relation to knowledge, he raised the importance of referring to the facts when studying or considering any philosophy. That is, ask about its real happening and question the veracity of the stories; From this position it will be more complicated for desires to set the criteria.

Continuing with his moral legacy, Bertrand Russell urged to bet on harmony between humans, in addition to learning to tolerate despite the differences you have with others. In this way, the philosopher promoted tolerance and compassion to live in society.