Theory of Knowledge: The 1913 Manuscript

by Bertrand Russell

This important work was abandoned by Russell under the impact of Wittgenstein's ideas. It was first published in 1984 and is presented here for the first time in a handy student edition, with an introduction by Elizabeth Ramsden Eames.

Genres: Philosophy

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

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

[Timothy Morrison]

THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE is a product of doubt. When we have asked ourselves seriously whether we really know anything at all, we are naturally led into an examination of knowing, in the hope of being able to distinguish trustworthy beliefs from such as are untrustworthy. Thus Kant, the founder of modern theory of knowledge, represents a natural reaction against Hume's scepticism. Few philosophers nowadays would assign to this subject quite such a fundamental importance as it had in Kant's "critical" system; nevertheless it remains an essential part of philosophy. It is perhaps unwise to begin with a definition of the subject, since, as elsewhere in philosophical discussions, definitions are controversial, and will necessarily differ for different schools; but we may at least say that the subject is concerned with the general conditions of knowledge, in so far as they throw light upon truth and falsehood.

[Liedzeit Liedzeit · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very important book. In itself interesting but invaluable for understanding the early Wittgenstein.

[Errol Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, you can read these books but they really become reference texts. You keep going back to them to build your understanding.

[Katerina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Δεν ξεκίνησα προκατειλημμένη και προσπάθησα να το διαβάσω. Έφθασα μέχρι την σελίδα 60 κάτι με αρκετή προσπάθεια. Έχω την εντύπωση ότι εκτός από την δυσκολία του θέματος, το βιβλίο επίσης δεν βοηθά. Ίσως γιατί θεωρεί δεδομένο πως ο αναγνώστης έχει γνώσεις από το θέμα. Αν και τα μαθηματικά του μέσες άκρες τα κατάλαβα, ο τρόπος που το γυρίζει από εδώ και από εκεί είναι περίπλοκος. Κατάφερα να φθάσω μέχρι εδώ διαλέγοντας το παράδοξο του Επιμενίδη που το γνώριζα και ακολουθώντας μέχρι εδώ τα σχόλια για αυτό και μόνο το παράδοξο γιατί αν δεν εστίαζα θα γινόταν χαμός. Αλλά λυπάμαι δεν θα συνεχίσω.