Bertrand Russell: “Love is wise and Hatred is Foolish”

Bertrand Russell in 1957

Bertrand Russell (18 May 1872–2 Feb 1970) was interviewed by John Freeman from BBC, where he was asked few questions. Russell brilliantly putted his thoughts on Love & Hatred and how they function together. And, why the human have placed together in such way embroiled with each other. And according to him, it has to be function that way. This interview happened on his 87th birthday. He was a political activist and logical philosopher. Russell founded the analytic philosophy. It mostly used in the western world and particularly Anglosphere (native English speakers). As well as, he was a co-author of Principia Mathematica.

The book has three volumes based on the foundations of mathematicians, Alfred North Whitehead and Bertrand Russell. Both used logics in mathematics. Apart from that, he had also produced the book, “The history of Western Philosophy” a complete western culture thoughts that narrate the beginning of ancient Greek philosophy to the 20th century in the book successfully.

Bertrand Russell, Philosophy of Love & Hatred.

“Love is wise, hatred is foolish. In this world which is getting more and more closely, interconnected. We have to learn to tolerate each other. We have to put up with the fact that some people say things that we don't like. Likewise, we can only live together in that way and if we are to live together and not die together. Not only that, but we must learn the kind of charity and kind of tolerance which is absolutely vital to the continuation of human life on this planet.”

Education and Interest of Bertrand Russell

Trinity College, Cambridge where Bertrand Russell completed his graduation iin 1894
Trinity College, Cambridge where Bertrand Russell completed his graduation iin 1894

Russell studied mathematics and philosophy at Trinity college in Cambridge. In 1894, he graduated. During those years he met George Edward Moore, a philosopher who was also assisted together with Russell and Alfred Whitehead who was also a mathematician and philosopher. These two were inspiration factors in his life. He blessed with commercial success of his book, Principia Mathematica, Russell became the world-famous mathematician and philosopher.

There are two motives for reading a book; one, that you enjoy it; the other, that you can boast about it.

Bertrand Russell

Unsuccessful in Getting Fellowship

Therefore, the student became professor of mathematics and philosophy at the same college, Trinity, in 1910. However, no one is perfect and this is the nature’s law. Russell was unable to obtain fellowship at the Trinity and due to lack of job security. He was dismissed in 1916 after four days. It had happened due to being convicted under the defence of the realm act (the act passed on 8th Aug 1914 in the UK), speaking against world war one.

The philosopher’s condition was very down financially, he couldn’t pay the fine of 100 quid and went to jail. Russell could pay his fine upon books sold at the auction. Later that incident, due to his personal problems, he resigned in 1920. However, he had also given almost a year before his resignation to sort the issues of his life. Therefore, he failed to solve. He thought that his resignation would be a fair decision and proceeded. Russell has also received Nobel Prize for literature in 1950

Quote

Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.

Bertrand Russell

However, he lived a proactive and complexed life but one year he found his true love when he got married to his fourth wife Edith Finch, a 52-year-old American and Russell was 80. He left with all the satisfaction afterward. He was considered the Voltaire of his time. Russell almost spent his life from beginning to end searching for knowledge and love. He donated himself full-time, zest in great issues of the day.

In his life, he addressed and studied issues like trial marriage, pacifism, rights for women, nuclear wars and peace, etc. At 97, he died at his home, Wales.

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