Let the People Think

by Bertrand Russell

As a stylist, as well as a philosopher, Bertrand Russell has a permanent place in English literature. In this selection of his essays, first published in 1941 and long out of print, sparkling wit and crystal clarity combine with a profundity and deep humanity that single him out as one of the world's most formative thinkers. Among diverse subjects, Let the People Think includes Russell's thoughts on the value of scepticism, free thought and propaganda, mental health, fascism, insects and comets.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Education, Essays

116 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1941

About the author

Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, OM, FRS, was a Welsh philosopher, historian, logician, mathematician, advocate for social reform, pacifist, and prominent rationalist. Although he was usually regarded as English, as he spent the majority of his life in England, he was born in Wales, where he also died.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 "in recognition of his varied and significant writings in which he champions humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought."

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The essay in this book entitled "Useless Knowledge" is essential read for educators and for Education Ministers. Here is an excerpt:

"Curious learning not only makes unpleasant things less pleasant, but also makes pleasant things more pleasant. I have enjoyed peaches and apricots more since I have known that they were first cultivated in China in the early days of the Han dynasty; that Chinese hostages held by the great King Kanisaka introduced them into India, whence they spread to Persia, reaching the Roman Empire in the first century of our era; that the word "apricot" is derived from the same Latin source as the word "precocious" because the apricot ripens early; and that the A as the beginning was added by mistake , owing to a false etymology. All this makes the fruit taste much sweeter"

In these days of pragmatism and people studying only to obtain a job to earn money, the importance of education as a means of enriching our lives is lost. This is a dangerous cancer and a backward step which makes the 2006 American comedy film "Idiocracy" much more likely future for our peoples.

[Mathijs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deze essays geven blijk van een oneindige nieuwsgierigheid. En waar vindt men dat nou nog?

Nou, hier dus.

[Liedzeit Liedzeit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful essays of the Grand Master. The fathers of National Socialism should be required reading for Everyone.

[Dan Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good collection of essays from the 20's and 30's, with the core theme of rationality. I found each of them something of a curate's egg, with some dense passages interspersed with excellent lucid and witty passages. On the whole, I'm sympathetic to the views expressed, although some of the essays (for example, on education) seem to make a lot of assertions without much to back them up.

[Atta Rehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Undoubtedly This will make you think Again About The ABC of Pedagogy , Child Psychology And the Maddest Side of Current Political and Nationalism Theories . Interestingly this Book Teaches Common Sense .And Last, Russell's Point of View about Religion is nothing But hate without evidences .

[Pruthvi Bharadwaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small book is a collection of a few essays on topics such as science, religion, philosophy, politics, education, psychology, culture, socialism, democracy, fascism and history. Although the essays were written in the context of early 20th century, some of the diagnosis of the issues of that day are relevant even today.

The prose is so free flowing and
crystalline and is a joy to read (in that austere British accent in your head).

Note to self: need to read more of Russell and also David Hume.

[Lysergius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some quite startling insights even though this was published in 1941 and a lot of the essays were written in the 1920s.