I revisited History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell the other day and was deeply influenced by it yet again. Without going into the complexity of the content of the book, I would like to press upon just two quotes from the book, their relevance to our understanding of our society and our individuality, is startling.
Philosopher defined:
" Philosophers are both effects and causes: effects of their social circumstances and of the politics and institutions of their time; causes (if they are fortunate) of beliefs which mould the politics and institutions of later ages."... "an outcome of his milieu, a man in whom were crystallized and concentrated thoughts and feelings which, in a vague and diffused form, were common to the community of which he was a part."
(Russell: 1946, pg 5)
Philosophy defined:
"All definite knowledge - so I should contend - belongs to science; all dogma as to what surpasses definite knowledge belongs to theology. But between theology and science there is a No Man's Land, exposed to attack from both sides; this No Man's Land is philosophy."
(Russell: 1946, pg 10)
No man is an island and even an island is what it is, because it is sounded by water from all sides. If you get my drift...The point that I am trying to make is that we need to be patient and compassionate in understanding other people and their actions. Their rights and wrongs are governed by their own belief systems which are a direct outcome of their environment or in Russel's words - milieu. On an extremist viewpoint 'one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter'. Even though humanity and fundamental rights are the only two markers, which cannot be compromised and the oppression of one sect, culture, race or nation by the other is eternally inappropriate but still the understanding of how individuals are developing these extremist viewpoints because of their closer and wider economic, social and political circle, is important to analyse.
Keeping this in mind, I want people to be a little more understanding of each other - parents and children, husbands and wives, girlfriends and boyfriends, teachers and pupils, employers and employees, India and Pakistan, US and Iraq, black and white, uppercast and lowercast, coaches and players, government and citizens.....
As you would realise that Russell defines the philosopher as a direct result of his / her environment, in a similar light, philosophy is defined as a delicate balance between dogma and science.... So let us embrace and open our arms to world religions, beliefs, faiths and ideologies as well as individuals. Those erring on the extemist and fundamental viewpoint need our help and are begging to be educated in a more liberal mindset.
Let us help each other, smile more, travel, explore and be intrigured by other's actions rather than consider them to be insults. We should never forget that - our life cycles come full circle. With time the opressors will become opressed, the poweful weak and the the rich poor...
If we cant create a romantacised idealist world, we can still always try to make an honest effort.... Think about it.
with the passage of time, we collect certain generalised principles of life. but only those continue to live beyond age and time which appeal to all rationalities and sensibilities.
ReplyDeletewe need to make a difference between "habits turning into traditions" without passing the test of logic and "conscious behaviour becoming a normal practice" gradually becoming the source of human progress.
an intelligent person needs to continuously sieve between the two to understand the meaning of philosophy and to recognize the value of a philosopher.
just saw this piece. well said. I think an honest effort goes a long way in reaching the idealistic effort. How many of us just give up half way through because its too difficult.
ReplyDeletevery well written.