A European lately arrived in China, if he is of a receptive and reflective disposition, finds himself confronted with a number of very puzzling questions, for many of which the problems of Western Europe will not have prepared him. Russian problems, it is true, have important affinities with those of China, but they have also important differences; moreover they are decidedly less complex.

description

Bertrand Russell, a Welsh atheist, wore many hats including philosopher, historical, logician, mathematician, and social reformist. In 1950 he won a Nobel Prize in literature for his humanitarianism and freedom of thought. In this volume Russell outlines the basic tenets of his political code. He shows that to think, speak and act without interference is our most cherished freedom, and that political ideals must be based upon the ideals of the individual.

Das Buch hat nicht nur "Glück" zu seinem Thema, sondern ist selber ein Glücksfall. Russell war einer der Begründer des "logischen Positivismus", einer deren die maßgeblich daran beteiligt waren, Philosophie zum ersten Mal auf den neuesten Stand von Wissenschaft und Logik zu bringen. Aber er hat sich nicht gescheut, über die allzu eng gezogenen Grenzen von Wissenschaftlichkeit hinweg an eine alte Tradition der Philosophie anzuknüpfen: daß sie den Menschen in den praktischen Belangen ihres Lebens etwas zu sagen habe.

In diesem Buch, einer der frühen Schriften des englischen Philosophen, wird der Versuch unternommen, die unmittelbare Erfahrung mit dem Weltbild der Physik zu vereinen. Für Russell sind Substanz, Materie und die Gegenstände keine Realitäten, sondern logische Konstruktionen. Dieser Gesichtspunkt bestimmt seine Erkenntnistheorie wie seine Kritik an den traditionellen philosophischen Fragestellungen. Wichtig geworden sind die in den Probleme der Philosophie vorgetragenen Gedanken für die Entwicklung des logischen Positivismus; der Autor fragt nach den Möglichkeiten des Philosophierens in...

Ludwig Wittgenstein wrote Tractatus Logico Philosophicus (Logical-Philosophical Treatise) whilst a soldier and latterly a Prisoner of War during WW1. Despite the chaos and horrors of his surroundings, Wittgenstein created one of the purest and most insightful works of philosophical reason of his time, and arguably since. Whilst concentrating on the ability of language to accurately portray the world of reason, Wittgenstein applies his notoriously uncompromising logic to wider philosophical issues of ethics, physics and even mystical thought. A 13-page preface and overview by Bertrand Russell...

There must be in the world many parents who, like the present author, have young children whom they are anxious to educate as well as possible, but reluctant to expose to the evils of most existing educational institutions. Thus from love for our own children we are driven, step by step, into the wider sphere of politics and philosophy. Contents: Postulates of Modern Educational Theory; Aims of Education; Education of Character; Fear; Play and Fancy; Constructiveness; Selfishness and Property; Truthfulness; Punishment; Importance of Other Children; Affection and Sympathy; Sex Education;...