betrand Russell
:When he talks about things like "prejudice" and "common sense", what do you suppose he means?
"what do you suppose" = this assignment calls for YOUR thinking, YOUR opinion.
You write it up, and someone here may be able to check your work for you.
Bertrand Russell was a renowned philosopher, mathematician, and logician who had a lot to say about various topics, including prejudice and common sense. To understand what Russell may have meant when discussing these concepts, we can examine his writings and ideas.
1. Prejudice: In general, prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or attitudes held without proper justification or evidence. Russell often criticized prejudice as a barrier to rational thinking and open-mindedness. He believed that it hinders our ability to make fair judgments about people, ideas, or situations, as it is based on biased assumptions rather than rational consideration.
To delve deeper into Russell's views on prejudice, it would be helpful to read his works such as "The Problems of Philosophy" or "The Conquest of Happiness," where he addresses the topic explicitly or indirectly. By examining his arguments and exploring real-life examples, we can gain a better understanding of his perspective on the harmful consequences of prejudice.
2. Common sense: Common sense can be understood as the basic ability to perceive and understand the world around us without relying solely on specialized knowledge or intellectual analysis. Russell discussed common sense in the context of differentiating it from abstract reasoning or philosophical principles.
Russell often challenged the idea of relying solely on common sense as a guide to truth or accurate understanding. He argued that common sense is not always reliable because it is influenced by cultural, historical, or personal biases. Instead, he advocated for critical thinking and rigorous analysis as a means to uncover deeper truths and overcome the limitations of common sense.
To grasp Russell's thoughts on common sense, you may want to engage with his influential works like "The Problems of Philosophy" or "Human Knowledge: Its Scope and Limits." By studying his writings, you can explore his arguments and gain insights into why he questioned the reliance on common sense alone and encouraged a more rigorous approach to understanding the world.
Remember, to fully comprehend the nuances of any philosopher's ideas, reading their works directly will provide the most accurate understanding of their thoughts and theories.