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Name:
Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Arthur William Russell
Dates:
Born: May 18, 1872 in Ravenscroft, Wales
Died: February 2, 1970 in Penrhyndeudraeth, Wales
Appointment at City College New York revoked: 1940
Nobel Prize for Literature: 1950
Biography:
Bertrand Russell was a British mathematician and philosopher who, along
with A.N. Whitehead, wrote Principia Mathematica in 1903. This work was an
important landmark in the development of logic and the philosophy of mathematics in
the 20th century. In it, Russell and Whitehead demonstrated that mathematics can be
expressed via a few terms of general logic and that numbers can be defined as classes.
In the process, they also developed concepts which allowed symbolic logic to become an important specialization in philosophy. These concepts raised the hopes among many philosophers that they might eventually be able to achieve the sort of certitude in their field which was traditionally the province of the natural sciences.
Other important contributions to philosophy include his influence on the development of Logical Positivism. One of his early students was Ludwig Wittgenstein, who was impressed by Russell's concept of logical atomism. Russell was also an important leader in the effort to revive empiricism in the field of epistemology.
Russell also became well known for his principled stand on pacifism and his pointed critiques of religion and dogmatic beliefs generally. He was imprisoned and fined, and he lost his teaching post at Cambridge, when he equally condemned both sides during World War I. His critiques of religion and his advocacy of sexual freedom caused him to lose his appointment to the City College of New York.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
Biographies of Philosophers
This index of biographical index of famous philosophers throughout history includes many others who have contributed to our understanding of human nature and life - including sociologists, psychologists, scientists, and more.What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
Further Reading:
Russell, Religion and Science
Back in 1940, Bertrand Russell's appointment as professor at City College in New York City raised a firestorm of protest. Religious leaders rallied people against the idea that an atheist who questioned tradition and religion should teach in that city. Find out about Thom Weidlich's fantastic book on the topic, Appointment Denied, and how Russell's experiences are still echoed today by others. Read Review | Compare Prices
