Ignore fact and reason, live entirely in the world of your own fantastic and myth-producing passions; do this whole-heartedly and with conviction, and you will become one of the prophets of your age.
If you read the rest of the text (click on his name for the link), you'll see he's actually denouncing people who make arguments without a shred of logic or intelligence. At the same time, he recognizes a trend in society to be easily fooled by those who present themselves as authorities without having any credentials to back it up, and are able to rise to power because of the willingness of the general public to be fooled by bullshit.
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7 comments:
what an awesome quote.
although he should finish it w/ a warning-- being a prophet will usually get you killed in the end, or banished at the very least.
in almost any age, those in power will usually seek to cover or blur the truth.
prophets, with their plain-talk, look good in posterity, but it's usually not an easy life.
Academically knowing Russel a miniscule amount, I have a feeling that this quote came with a very dry humour.
Russel was an ardent atheist and mortified by religion regardless of its anthropological primacy, no?
In effect, he's saying: Be ridiculous and you will be treated as such.
Boooo for Bertrand then!
Although I agree, it is wonderful advice for anyone with passion.
Yet imminent death is a kicker.
:)
oh, right. russell the great, crusty old athiest. puts a different spin on that, for sure.
If you read the rest of the text (click on his name for the link), you'll see he's actually denouncing people who make arguments without a shred of logic or intelligence. At the same time, he recognizes a trend in society to be easily fooled by those who present themselves as authorities without having any credentials to back it up, and are able to rise to power because of the willingness of the general public to be fooled by bullshit.
George Bush, anyone?
or paris hilton.
....anybody watch "Carnivale"??, I`m not much for tv, but wow.
the whole God vs Devil thing
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