Gert Scholtz

6 years ago · 2 min. reading time · ~100 ·

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Bertrand Russell on Uncertainty

Bertrand Russell on Uncertainty

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Is there virtue in uncertainty?

Bertrand Russell was a British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, writer, social critic, political activist and Nobel laureate. He campaigned against the wars of his time, and he was an eccentric and rebellious person (as many great thinkers often are). During a long, productive, and often turbulent life, he published more than 70 books and about 2,000 articles, married four times and became involved in many public controversies.  

Russel was  jailed in 1918 for anti-war views and then again at the age of eighty-nine, he was sent to Brixton Prison for seven days for breach of peace after taking part in an anti-nuclear demonstration in London. The magistrate offered to exempt him from jail if he pledged himself to "good behavior", to which Russell replied: "No, I won't." 

His independent thought and insight is often contained in a wry comment or pithy paradox. Russell left many. While a grouping of quotes of a person might be without important nuance and context, I am fond of this form of distilled expression as a prompt for my broader awareness. Here are some of Russell's sayings, for a quick read on life, thinking, and perhaps for a call to the importance of uncertainty.


ON THINKING

Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.
 Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.
 If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are subconsciously aware of having no good reason for thinking as you do.
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
Whoever wishes to become a philosopher must learn not to be frightened by absurdities.
 I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.


ON LIFE

The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.
War does not determine who is right - only who is left.
 One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important.
The main things which seem to me important on their own account, and not merely as means to other things, are knowledge, art, instinctive happiness, and relations of friendship or affection.
Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool’s paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.
I believe four ingredients are necessary for happiness: health, warm personal relations, sufficient means to keep you from want, and successful work.


ON UNCERTAINTY

It is said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this.
There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge.
The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it.
 In all affairs, it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.
Is there any knowledge in the world which is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it?
Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality.


I see uncertainty as that state of mind in which alternatives and different possibilities permeate as viable alternatives. It is a valuable precursor to resolute determination and committed action. It is the awareness that "fact" may not be so, and perception might be temporary and contingent. Perhaps it is an intuitive and tacit acknowledgment that others might think differently. Maybe uncertainty is the seedbed of renewal and creativity.  

Is there virtue in uncertainty? 

I think so. But I am not certain.



#Nobel #Uncertainty #Russell #Russel #Bertrand Russell
Comments

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #47

Harvey Lloyd You highlight an important element in choice and uncertainty, namely time: "Choice becomes a timeline. When does the choice need to be made, immediately, or this something i can ponder." Thanks for your thoughtful comments Harvey.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #46

#55
Sara Jacobovici I appreciate your comment Sara and highlighting some of my description on uncertainty. Thank you for joining the comment thread.

Harvey Lloyd

6 years ago #45

I enjoy philosophy and have read a little Bertrand Russell, this was a great thought on uncertainty. Late but would add that uncertainty implies choice. There is more than one. If you take away choice then uncertainty can't survive. Choice becomes a timeline. When does the choice need to be made, immediately, or this something i can ponder. Giving uncertainty a chance to breath within us is crucial. The reason for choice is that many things hinge off of the choice that others maybe relying on or the choice was gratuitous within the scope but undecided from the start. Uncertainty and its outcome can only be proven in the future. Great thoughts i am glad Milos Djukic brought it forward.

Sara Jacobovici

6 years ago #44

Thanks to @Yogesh Sukal for bringing my attention to your buzz Gert Scholtz. My apologies for the late response. You can sure package a great idea Gert. This buzz is no exception. Your closing paragraph says it all: "I see uncertainty as that state of mind in which alternatives and different possibilities permeate as viable alternatives. It is a valuable precursor to resolute determination and committed action. It is the awareness that "fact" may not be so, and perception might be temporary and contingent. Perhaps it is an intuitive and tacit acknowledgment that others might think differently. Maybe uncertainty is the seedbed of renewal and creativity."

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #43

#51
Lada \ud83c\udfe1 Prkic Your gracious comment shows how you live what Russell said: "The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge." Thanks for reading and commenting on the post, Lada - I certainly welcome you stopping by.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #42

Lada \ud83c\udfe1 Prkic You expand beautifully on the short line of Russell: "The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge". Thank you reading and commenting Lada. Of one thing I am certain: I value your contribution!

Lada 🏡 Prkic

6 years ago #41

Many great thinkers and scientists married more than once. According to Russell's words, his yearning for love was fully satisfied when he was 80 and married his fourth wife. He also said that knowledge and love are closely intertwined and together produce a good life. If there is no certainty in knowledge, is there a love that is so certain and without a doubt? I think there is, nay I am certain. Thank you for stimulating post, Gert.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #40

Phil Friedman "The only certainty is that we live constantly and inescapably with uncertainty. And we are better for it. " I agree. Thanks Phil, for the comments on the post, and especially for your list of top 10 Western philosophers.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #39

Milos Djukic Thank you for your comment Franci.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #38

#41
Ian Weinberg Thank you for reading Ian - and I appreciate your comments. I sincerely hope wisdom becomes (even of only a little) more over time - you will know as well as I do we need it in our environment.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #37

#40
Robert Cormack That is a stand out line and I look forward to your article Robert.

Phil Friedman

6 years ago #36

I believe, Gert Scholtz, that uncertainty is an existential state that does not preclude action. In that state, we recognize that action carries with it the risk of being wrong, but that we can see the need to act on the best of the alternatives as we perceive them... I think. The only certainty is that we live constantly and inescapably with uncertainty. And we are better for it. Cheers!

Milos Djukic

6 years ago #35

A great testimony about uncertainty. Luke: “I don’t believe it.” Yoda: “That is why you fail.” Thanks Gert Scholtz.

Phil Friedman

6 years ago #34

#31
Gert Scholtz, the following is my list of top ten. It is purely idiosyncratic, but based on what I deem to be level of original insight, lack of obscurity (save, perhaps for Wittgenstein), and contribution to reason and rationality. Plato, Aristotle, John Locke, David Hume, A.J. Ayer, Bertrand Russell, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Karl Popper, Noam Chomsky, Ian Hacking. Cheers!

Ian Weinberg

6 years ago #33

Howsit Gert Scholtz Just flew in from Knysna. Scanned current posts and happpened upon your refreshing and inspirational contribution. I was beginning to get a little despondent with current posts - either just can't get my head around them or can't join the dots. But this is a great piece about a remarkable chap with IQ and EQ to boot! Just unfortunate that as a species we don't really get wiser with time - those Russel pearls apply more now to us than ever before. Mooi bly and have a great Jozie week!

Robert Cormack

6 years ago #32

Thanks, Gert Scholtz. I'm already thinking of an article around "I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #31

#37
Savvy Raj I think you strike at the heart of it Savvy, when you refer to "spaces in between of what is, was and the might be." A short and accurate description of uncertainty. Many thanks for reading and adding your good prose to the comments.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #30

#36
Edward Lewellen What you highlight is the necessary tension between certainty of our core and adaptation to our roles. Once the dynamic tension is lost, adaptability reduces. Thanks reading and for a great comment Lewellen - one that made me think again.

Ken Boddie

6 years ago #29

I guess it all falls back on death and taxes, Gert 🤗

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #28

Nick Mlatchkov I didn't notice Nick - but I will watch for the honey on the "Espinoza guy". Thanks.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #27

#16
Lisa Vanderburg Very happy to see that you enjoyed the post Lisa! And what is better than once in a while, to laugh at the uncertainty, truths and half-truths around us - whatever we perceive them to be. Special thanks for reading, sharing and commenting.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #26

#11
Phil Friedman I guess that is part of what makes the man such a great thinker - as you say his writing is completely free of obscurity and pretension. I would be very interested to know who is on your list of ten greatest philosophers and social commentators in Western history. Glad to see it might have brought back some remembrances of your days studying and teaching philosophy. Thank you for commenting and reading Phil - most appreciated.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #25

#17
Randall Burns I am very, very sure - in fact absolutely certain that "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts" :) Thanks Randall - appreciate your reading the post.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #24

#15
Debasish Majumder Why am I not surprised that you have read Russell's writing. Thank you for your kind comment Debasish, and for sharing the post.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #23

#12
Zacharias \ud83d\udc1d Voulgaris I am not 100% certain - but I really like your comment :) Thanks Zacharias.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #22

#10
Yogesh Sukal Absolute truth is a tricky subject - at least to me it is. I did read your post on singularity and absolutism - and I am still trying to fully understand it :) Thank you for commenting Yogesh.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #21

#9
Deb \ud83d\udc1d Helfrich "Truly innovative thought pierces deep into the complexities of the things about the world that frighten our sensible & sensical minds" - you do have a way with words Deb - and with thought - thanks for the extensive comment and telling about your (rebellious) reading of Russell at a young age.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #20

#8
Pamela \ud83d\udc1d Williams Having known you for a while on beBee - that is exactly you, Pam - a believer in knowledge for knowledge sake. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #19

#6
Very nice alliteration Mohammed! Thanks - and for sharing the post.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #18

#5
Laurent Boscherini The quote by John Allen Paulos is great Laurent - thank you for that, and for sharing the post.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #17

#3
Pascal Derrien Somehow when it comes to original thought - Russell and Derrien sounds similar to me. Thank you Pascal - good to have you reading and commenting.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #16

#4
VDS Brink Baie goed om jou hier op beBee te sien VDS. Dankie!

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #15

#2
Paul Walters Thank you Paul.

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #14

Bill Stankiewicz, \ud83d\udc1d Brand Ambassador Bill - thanks for dropping by and for sharing the post. Much appreciated.

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #13

#17
haha....like I'll remember that; memory of a peeled parsnip :)

Randall Burns

6 years ago #12

Great post Gert Scholtz Some wonderful philosophies that's for sure, I quite like; "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts" probably why "fools and fanatics" are running the world.

Lisa Vanderburg

6 years ago #11

WOW. Gert Scholtz, I cannot thank you enough for this buzz; for teaching me about a vaguely-remembered 'name' and adding your own unique touch! I am laughing, pointing fingers (in my head...mainly at me), and nodding in reminded wisdom. This is priceless and SHALL be read :)

Debasish Majumder

6 years ago #10

i cannot restrain from liking this post as sir BERTRAND RUSSELL is one of my most favorite author. lovely buzz Gert Scholtz! enjoyed read and shared. thank you for the buzz.

Jerry Fletcher

6 years ago #9

Thanks Gert. This glimpse inside a fascinating mind was a great read as I begin my day.

Debesh Choudhury

6 years ago #8

A very special post Gert Scholtz . Russell's wisdom is essential for the human society. Thanks for spreading Russell's teachings

Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris

6 years ago #7

I'm not 100% sure either, but I believe this is an awesome article!

Phil Friedman

6 years ago #6

Gert Scholtz, Bertrand Russell was, to my mind, one of the 10 greatest philosophers and social commentators in Western history. His compelling thought and writings are completely free of obscurity and pretension. He was one of the major influences during my own undergrad and graduate studies in philosophy, and I thank you for this concise reminder. As usual, you struck right to the heart of the matter. Cheers!

Mohammed Abdul Jawad

6 years ago #5

Prized precepts to polish one's perception!

Laurent Boscherini

6 years ago #4

Thank you Gert Scholtz for sharing your excellent post so relevant as usual. "Uncertainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security." - John Allen Paulos

Pascal Derrien

6 years ago #3

Within any doubt a witty and well written insight in Russell mind to be honest did not know the chap but I like the way he thought 💭 I will dig in Gert Scholtz

Paul Walters

6 years ago #2

Gert Scholtz . Another gem...thanks Gert

Bill Stankiewicz

6 years ago #1

Great buzz here

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