We see everyone around us talking about freedom, but where does freedom actually begin? The first stage of freedom, which is a very important touchstone in the development of a society, always passes through education. A well-educated society is also free. How many of you know the British philosopher Bertrand Arthur William Russell, who always followed in the footsteps of education, mathematics and logic?
You’ve probably heard at least one word he said at some point in your life. Considered one of the most valuable thinkers of his time, Bertrand Russell presented one of the most unique works of his field by explaining mathematics, which is considered confusing for many, with a few logic principles, with his book “Principia Mathematica (Principles of Mathematics)”, which he co-wrote with Alfred North Whitedead. Russell, who is a philosopher, also has a mini manifesto of 10. However, before we move on to this manifesto, we need to briefly talk about Bertrand Russell.
Who is Bertrand Russell, the son of a noble family in love with mathematics?
Bertrand Russell, who was born in 1872 and died in 1970 at the age of 98, comes from a noble and wealthy English family. His grandfather is Lord John Russell, who served as Prime Minister twice. Although he came from a wealthy family, Russell lost his mother and sister at the age of 2 and his father when he was four years old, and was raised by his grandmother and aunts.
Learning the French and German language and literature, as well as the classics, Russell became interested in mathematics after learning Euclidean geometry with the help of his brother. Having studied mathematics and philosophy at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1890, Russell started his philosophy career as a result of this education.
Russell was known for his activist rather than his work in logic and mathematics.
Russell has always been an anti-imperialist anti-war. He was even sentenced to 6 months in prison for humiliating the British and American armies during the First World War. Russell, who was a university professor at this time, was stripped of his rights and reinstated when he was released from prison, but this time Russell made expulsion from the university a matter of honor and refused to return.
The philosopher, who visited Russia and lived in China for a while, suggested that the development of China in the next two centuries would affect the whole world, for better or for worse. Russell, who published his book “History of Western Philosophy” in 1945, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950 with this book.
He was arrested at the age of 89.
Russell, who also led the UK campaign of the Nuclear Disarmament Committee, had carried out various actions for many years. The famous philosopher, who enabled 4,000 demonstrators to hold a sit-in in front of the British Ministry of Defense in February 1961, was arrested along with 1300 people in a demonstration held in September of the same year.
Bertrand Russell, who was always an outspoken person throughout his life, is also known for his advice, “Don’t go to long words where the short word can.” Russell, who lived a full life, had a 10-point manifesto emphasizing free thought under the heading “Ten ideas I would like to proclaim as a teacher” at the end of the article “Best Answer to Fanaticism: Liberalism” published in The New York Times Magazine on December 16, 1951. published.
Bertnard Russell’s 10-point manifesto:
- Never be sure of anything.
- Do not think that you can move forward by hiding the truth, because the truth will come out.
- Never try to get in the way of thinking in order to be successful.
- When confronted with different ideas, try to overcome them with arguments, not authority, even if they come from your spouse or children, because victory over authority is unreal and misleading.
- Do not respect the authorities that others are trying to establish, because there are always opposing authorities.
- Do not use force to suppress ideas that you consider harmful, because if you do, the ideas will suppress you.
- Do not be afraid to be extraordinary in your views, because all the views accepted today were once extraordinary.
- Value intellectual thought over passive discussion, because when you value thought, you get along easier and better when you argue with thoughts.
- Even if the truth is not to your advantage, try to be honest because it does more harm when you try to hide the truth.
- Do not envy the happiness of those who live in a fool’s paradise, because only fools believe that it is happiness.
With this manifesto, Bertnard Russell actually emphasizes the importance of critical thinking. Critical thinking, which is one of the cornerstones of science, can pave the way for a generation that can build a better future while seeking perfection, especially if it is instilled in children during the education stage.
36899
