Level: B.A/ B.B.S || Lesson 39 Keeping Errors At Bay (Bertrand Russell, England 1872-1970)
Words Meaning
Errors = wrong doing
Avoid = to remove
Proned = habituate
Keep at bay = keep an enemy at a distance
Genius = extraordinary
Device = mean
Fatal = harmful
Cautious = alert
Passionate = filed with keen desire
Evidence = proof
Undo = destroy
Conviction =belief
Prejudice = bias
Beneficial = profitable
Conviction = judgement
Savage = wild
Persecution = punishment
On guard = alert
Diminish = disappear
Insular = narrow minded
Conquer = win
Shook off = got rid of
Cosmos = universe
Deplored = hated
Prevail = be wide spread
Refutation = certain
Self-esteem = self-respect
Abundant = enough
Insoluble = that can’t be solved
Persuade = convince
Trivial = mean
Pursuit = search
Episode = a part of event
Savage = barbaric
Conceal = hide
Endeavor = great effort
Vague = unclear
Terror = fear
Refutation = refusal
Summary
Here, Bertrand Russell describes a few rules for avoiding errors or foolish opinions from our mind. There is no need to dispute if we can observe the things, we should observe the things, rather than arguing over the problem. He gives an example of Aristotle who said that women have fewer teeth. If he had observed the teeth of his own wife, there wouldn’t be dispute. So Russell says that we should make observation ourselves. Dispute can be solved by observation.
Secondly he says that if there is no possibility of observation, we should compare our ideas with opponents. If same opinions make us angry, it means we have no reasons to support our own ideas. In such case, be alert you are weak or you have weaknesses. If you are certain that two and two makes four, you would feel pity on the person who opposes you. That is why persecution is used in theology because there isn’t any good evidence unlike in arithmetic.
Similarly, Russelll says that we can remove wrong beliefs or prejudice form our mind by traveling, meeting and talking with many people. We can also read the opposite party’s papers. This helps us to remove wrong beliefs from our mind. It will refine our beliefs. But we shouldn’t copy the foreigner’s foolish customs.
Imaginary conversation can take place with someone who is far from us in terms of time and space. We can talk to our imaginary opponents in our own mind. Then we can become less dogmatic by changing our minds.
Similarly, he says that we should keep free form fear which is the common source of error. Fear doesn’t allow us to think about many important things. According to the writer, to conquer fear is beginning of wisdom in the pursuit of truth. Fear generates superstitions.
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Four Levels of Interpretation
Literal Comprehension
This text was written by Bertrand Russell who was awarded Nobel Prize for literature. Here, Bertrand Russell describes a few rules for avoiding errors or foolish opinions from our mind. There is no need to dispute if we can observe the things, we should observe the things, rather than arguing over the problem. He gives an example of Aristotle who said that women have fewer teeth. If he had observed the teeth of his own wife, there wouldn’t be dispute. So Russell says that we should make observation ourselves. Dispute can be solved by observation.
Secondly he says that if there is no possibility of observation, we should compare our ideas with opponents. If same opinions make us angry, it means we have no reasons to support our own ideas. In such case, be alert you are weak or you have weaknesses. If you are certain that two and two makes four, you would feel pity on the person who opposes you. That is why persecution is used in theology because there isn’t any good evidence unlike in arithmetic.
Similarly, Russell says that we can remove wrong beliefs or prejudice form our mind by traveling, meeting and talking with many people. We can also read the opposite party’s papers. This helps us to remove wrong beliefs from our mind. It will refine our beliefs. But we shouldn’t copy the foreigner’s foolish customs.
Imaginary conversation can take place with someone who is far from us in terms of time and space. We can talk to our imaginary opponents in our own mind. Then we can become less dogmatic by changing our minds.
Similarly, he says that we should keep free form fear which is the common source of error. Fear doesn’t allow us to think about many important things. According to the writer, to conquer fear is beginning of wisdom in the pursuit of truth. Fear generates superstitions.
Interpretation
Russell wants to show our weaknesses. He wants to convey some rules of avoiding our wrong beliefs from our mind. He says that we must know the truth facts or surrounding. We shouldn’t have over high opinion of ourselves. If we consider ourselves great not listening others’ opinions, we are not good. We should listen to those people who oppose our idea. Similarly, he says that one becomes angry, when he/ she doesn’t have reasons to support his ideas.
Critical Thinking
The writer says that one should observe the things; one should visit or meet different people to know the truth and one should make imaginary conversation but these all are not possible for common people. To some extent Russell’s ideas are good to broaden our mind.
Assimilation
After reading this text I learnt that we can avoid our dogmatic beliefs by travelling and meeting different people and places. Similarly, there shouldn’t be fear in one’s mind to make our mind creative. Fear forces people say wrong things. I also learnt that I should observe the things and listen to others to know the truth.
Possible Question
- What valuable suggestion are fronted by B. Russell to avoid common errors in thinking?