The Problems of PhilosophyOne of his great works, and a must-read for any student of philosophy, The Problems of Philosophy was written in 1912 as an introduction to Russell's thought. As an empiricist, Russell starts at the beginning with this question: Is there any knowledge in the world that is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it? This, according to Russell, is where the work of philosophy begins. He covers topics such as reality, the nature of matter, inductive reasoning, truth, and the limits of philosophical knowledge. As one of the greatest minds in Western philosophy, Russell's thoughts are profoundly informative and provocative and suitable for anyone wishing to expand his mind. British philosopher and mathematician BERTRAND ARTHUR WILLIAM RUSSELL (1872-1970) won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. Among his many works are Why I Am Not a Christian (1927), Power: A New Social Analysis (1938), and My Philosophical Development (1959). |
Contents
1 | |
The Existence of Matter | 9 |
The Nature of Matter | 17 |
Idealism | 24 |
Knowledge by Acquaintance and Knowledge | 30 |
by Description | 31 |
On Induction | 41 |
On Our Knowledge of General Principles | 49 |
On Our Knowledge of Universals | 73 |
On Intuitive Knowledge | 80 |
Truth and Falsehood | 86 |
Knowledge Error and Probable Opinion | 95 |
The Limits of Philosophical Knowledge | 103 |
The Value of Philosophy | 111 |
Bibliographical Note | 118 |
119 | |
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Common terms and phrases
actual answer appears argument assert become belief is true Berkeley Bismarck called certainty chapter coherence colour connexion consider constitute correspondence deduced definite degree of self-evidence derivative knowledge Descartes Desdemona loves Cassio difficult doubt example exist experience fact false German Empire Hence ical ideas immediately inductive principle inference instance intuitive knowledge involved iron mask judge judgement Julius Caesar Kant kind knowl knowledge by acquaintance knowledge by description knowledge of things knowledge of truths known law of contradiction law of thought Leibniz less logical principles love for Cassio matter means men are mortal mental methodical doubt mind mortal nature never Othello believes ourselves particular perceive physical objects physical space possible premisses priori knowledge probable opinion proposition prove question real table reason regard relation seems sensations sense sense-data shape so-and-so Socrates sort suppose thought tion universals value of philosophy wave-motion whiteness word