Bertrand Russell: Very short advice on two points

 

Bertrand Russell:  Very short advice on two points 

(From 1959)

Bertrand Russell (1957)(1976)

Intellectual: Russell mentions that in any matter or philosophy, a person should only seek facts and truth. Do not be diverted by what could be socially effective, at the expense of facts and truth. In other words, within any life study, practical, academic, etcetera, objectivity should be pursued. For Russell, the pursuit of objectivity takes priority over ideas that are socially popular and even might be effective to a point. These are things that might socially work regardless, if whether they really contain much objective fact and truth.

I have noted on this website that British philosopher, Simon Blackburn explains that philosophically postmodernism, as the listed example, implies a mistrust in the views of modernity. Blackburn (1996: 294). Post-structuralists deny fixed meanings or correspondences between language and reality and fixed objective truth and fact. Blackburn (1996: 295). Truth is not so much objective, but there can be more or less accuracy. Blackburn (1996: 295).

Philosophically, I would reason for the finite mind there is no such thing as complete objectivity and there are always subjective aspects to reasoning. I reason the infinite, eternal, omniscient, God can see things perfectly and fully objectively and also sees the subjective. 

However, the Scripture does appear to make certain largely and primarily objective claims. For example, in John 14:6 where Jesus claims (from the NASB) that he is the way, the truth and the life, and that no one comes to the Father but through him. This appears to be an objective truth claim in regard to the nature of God and the nature of human salvation, when applied to persons.

Objective reasoning and thinking being views and/or approaches primarily based on the object, facts not feelings. This opposed to subjective thinking, which is subjective thoughts rather than objective thoughts on the issue in question. Subjective thinking and approach would therefore be more influenced by feelings than facts. Again, no one finite, is totally (infinitely) objective, but, there is a fixed meaning between the language of a text and reality. There can be claims of truth and fact. 

Moral: Russell explains that love is wise. Hatred is foolish. In other words, in western democracy, in particular, I can agree there should be toleration for various worldviews and ideas and overall a love for others within society. This within reasonable, law and order.

John 13 from the Gospel of John: John 13:34-35 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I John 4:20 the Epistle 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Jesus Christ within the great commandment (Mathew 22, Mark 12, Luke 10, Paul-Galatians 5), mentions that the second commandment is to love all persons as neighbours as one loves self. The first commandment to love of God with the fullness in mind and spirit. This is the God of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.  

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford, University, Press. 

COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville. 

ELLIS, DAVID J. (1986) 'John' in F.F. Bruce (gen.ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Marshall Pickering/ Zondervan.

ELWELL, WALTER AND YARBROUGH, ROBERT W., Third Edition (2013) Encountering The New Testament, Grand Rapids, Baker Academic. 

GUNDRY, ROBERT (1981) A Survey of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

RUSSELL, BERTRAND (1957)(1976) Why I am not a Christian, Simon and Schuster Inc., in John R. Burr and Milton Goldinger (eds.), Philosophy and Contemporary Issues, London, Collier Macmillan Publishers. 

The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy,Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.

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This week...

Thursday, September 24, 2015 Bertrand Russell On Utopia (PhD Edit)