Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell is a very adamant philosopher and he feels strongly about how philosophy relates to people and everyday life. He is a strong believer in philosophical thinking and casting doubt upon everyday questions and actions. Russell believes that philosophy can enlarge our intellect by asking questions to various things which can be analyzed to a greater extent. Not to find exact answers to these questions, but to further our knowledge and to, “Enlarge our conception of what is possible.” In the reading on the value of philosophy, Russell makes a distinct difference between science and philosophy. He says that philosophy is s

eparate from science because philosophy does not present any definite answers to its questions. Those questions that have definite answers are placed in the sciences. If all "practical" men would change their views and their way of thinking, who knows what society could accomplish. He thinks that the more people to do so, the better. Russell thinks that people need to feed their minds with knowledge to better the person and all of mankind. He thinks all people should do so that are serious about philosophy, but not the people who are closed-minded individuals who stick to concrete beliefs and are not open to interpretation and questioning of issues. While taking this philosophy class this semester, I hope to further my knowledge in different ways of thinking and trying to analyze questions and problems, more in depth. Russell believes that people should study philosophy to increase their knowledge and step out of what they know is real and true. I have always been concerned with what is real and true. I compare myself to Russell"tms "practical" man in the sense that I have always wanted what I need physically, but not mentally. He wants people to practice philosophical thinking, more so than studying the subject. He mentions the "practical" man in his writing as a person who is only concerned with what they need to survive physically. He states that as soon as definite knowledge concerning any subject becomes possible, that subject ceases to be called philosophy, and becomes a separate science. I feel that if I do so, many of my beliefs and prejudices would go away and I will become less ignorant and wiser.