The Spinozistic Ethics of Bertrand Russell

The Spinozistic Ethics of Bertrand Russell PDF Author: Kenneth Blackwell
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135107114
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 282

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Book Description
Bertrand Russell’s professional philosophical reputation rests mainly on his mathematical logic and theory of knowledge. In this study, first published in 1985, however, Kenneth Blackwell considers Russell’s writings on ethics and metaethics and uncovers the conceptual unity in Russell’s normative ethic. He traces that unity to the influence of Spinoza’s central ethical concept, the ‘intellectual love of God’, and then evaluates the ethic which he terms ‘impersonal self-enlargement’. The introduction discusses the metaethical background to Russell’s ethic and the difficulties inherent in Russell’s view that ethical knowledge is not possible. The first section then examines Russell’s writings on Spinoza from 1894 to 1964, dividing them into three periods, the second part analyzes Russell’s two interpretations of the main concept, traces 'impersonal self-enlargement' in Russell’s own ethical writings, and evaluates the ethic in relation to other ethical theories and on its own merits as a ‘way of living’. This book provides a foundation for a positive re-evaluation of Russell’s status in the major philosophical field of ethics and will be welcomed by students of moral philosophy as well as those interested in Bertrand Russell’s works.

Russell on Ethics

Russell on Ethics PDF Author: Bertrand Russell
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317835492
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
Russell on Ethics presents a coherent and comprehensive collection of Russell's ethical writings, drawing on a wide range of his publications on ethical concerns, many of which have been difficult to access by students and general readers. Charles Pigden provides an accessible introduction to the papers, situating them within the field of ethics as a whole and detailed annotations on the papers themselves, analysing their arguments and exploring their relevance to current concerns. Russell on Ethics represents a valuable insight into Russell as an ethicist, which will be useful to both specialist and non-specialist alike.

Bertrand Russell's Ethics

Bertrand Russell's Ethics PDF Author: Michael K. Potter
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1847144098
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 199

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Book Description
Bertrand Russell was not only one of the greatest philosophers of the twentieth century; he was also a humanitarian and activist who fought for many moral, social, and political causes. During his lifetime, the general public knew him for his activism and popular works, in which he tackled such diverse topics as sexual ethics, religion, war, and nuclear disarmament. Besides the great achievements in mathematical logic on which his reputation rests, Russell was a pioneer in moral philosophy, and his work in this area informed and guided his activism. Russell created one of the first versions of a meta-ethical theory known as emotivism (sometimes also called the 'boo-hooray' theory, later popularized by A.J. Ayer and C.L. Stevenson) which maintains that ethical statements cannot be true or false - they are simply expressions of emotional attitudes. That Russell could hold such a theory while being at the same time an ardent activist is one feat. That his version was superior to more popular versions of emotivism is another. Yet, despite the fact that Russell held on to some form of emotivism for most of his professional life, and despite the fact that the theory is present in some of his best-known books, it was virtually ignored until the late 1990s. Michael K. Potter's book brings an important new dimension to our understanding of Russell's life, his activism, and his contribution to moral philosophy.

Bertrand Russell on Ethics, Sex, and Marriage

Bertrand Russell on Ethics, Sex, and Marriage PDF Author: Bertrand Russell
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 364

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Book Description
During his long life (1872-1970) Bertrand Russell was one of a handful of social thinkers, let alone internationally recognized philosophers, whose views on contemporary issues won for him a devoted and supportive audience on the one hand and a host of vituperative critics on the other. Russell's revolutionary writings frequently placed him in the center of controversy with conservatives and all those who were unwilling to consider moral questions from a rational rather than an emotional stance. Al Seckel has compiled an exhaustive collection of Russell's very best and most thought-provoking essays on ethics, social morality, happiness, sex, adultery, marriage, and divorce. Often hidden in obscure journals, pamphlets, out-of-print periodicals, and hard-to-find books, the works assembled here comprise a comprehensive volume that is augmented by valuable section introductions and editor's comments. This volume also includes "Morality and Instinct," which is published here for the first time.

Bertrand Russell's Philosophy of Morals

Bertrand Russell's Philosophy of Morals PDF Author: Lillian Woodworth Aiken
Publisher: New York : Humanities Press
ISBN:
Category : Ethics
Languages : en
Pages : 200

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Book Description


Human Society in Ethics and Politics

Human Society in Ethics and Politics PDF Author: Bertrand Russell
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134523904
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
In this book Russell gives a logical analysis of ethical concepts and principles. He goes on to relate his ethical conclusions to politics and religion. It is his only extended statement of his later views on ethics.

The Development of Bertrand Russell's Philosophy

The Development of Bertrand Russell's Philosophy PDF Author: Jager, Ronald
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 131785330X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 528

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Book Description
This is Volume XI of twenty-two in a collection on 20th Century Philosophy. Originally published in 1994, this volume of the Muirhead library of philosophy in the author’s words attempts not what is difficult but what is impossible. What it attempts is a critical account of Russell's philosophy-just that-without supposing that every reader is himself a philosopher at the beginning, though he may be at the end. It is written for those who know of Russell's philosophy and wish to know about it, for those who know about it, and wish to know it.

Routledge Library Editions: Russell

Routledge Library Editions: Russell PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780415657808
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Bertrand Russell's professional philosophical reputation rests mainly on his mathematical logic and theory of knowledge. In this study, first published in 1985, however, Kenneth Blackwell considers Russell's writings on ethics and metaethics and uncovers the conceptual unity in Russell's normative ethic. He traces that unity to the influence of Spinoza's central ethical concept, the 'intellectual love of God', and then evaluates the ethic which he terms 'impersonal self-enlargement'. The introduction discusses the metaethical background to Russell's ethic and the difficulties inheren.

The Ethical Philosophy of Bertrand Russell

The Ethical Philosophy of Bertrand Russell PDF Author: Ramendra Nath
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780533094240
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 109

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Book Description


Bertrand Russell's Dictionary of Mind, Matter and Morals

Bertrand Russell's Dictionary of Mind, Matter and Morals PDF Author: Bertrand Russell
Publisher: Open Road Media
ISBN: 1497675707
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 416

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Book Description
This dictionary contains more than 1000 selections from over 100 of Russell’s books and articles. It serves as an introduction to Russell’s brilliance in analysis, argument, and exposition which develops a clear notion of his method of approach, his fundamental principles and many of his leading ideas. Found here are definitions and terms reflected in the topics of mind, matter and morals.