Russell's Ten Commandments

Just when I thought I had seen it all, I ran into a December 16, 1951 article from the New York Times Magazine entitled "The Best Answer to Fanaticism: Liberalism." In the epilogue, my patron saint, Bertrand Russell, detailed what he designated the Ten Commandments of Critical Thinking. Its provenance was completely new to me.

Here's his list. Fascinating is how he anticipated Timothy Leary by two decades (see Commandments 4 and 5 particularly).

Of course, Commandment 1 is the most important. It's fitting that it comes from a formalist who recognized the difference between a theorem and an axiom, unlike most the rabble who populate this planet.

The world might be a more humane place in which to live had Platonism never been invented. Think about that sentence for a moment...

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1. Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.
2. Do not think it worthwhile to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.
3. Never try to discourage thinking, for you are sure to succeed.
4. When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavor to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.
5. Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.
6. Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.
7. Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.
8. Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter.
9. Be scrupulously truthful even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.
10. 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.

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Russell was truly one of the most remarkable men ever to have been: going to jail for protesting World War I, going to jail for protesting the Viet Nam war; inconsistency was clearly not in his list of faults. And, of course, getting shitcanned from an American university for "espousing free love." Talk about prior restraint! Had college chancellors existed in the time of Giordano Bruno, they would have been the first to propose a bit of fun around the campfire. Bertrand Russell truly represents the epitome of what humans could be if ever we'd leave superstition behind us.

Moreover, he's probably the best interviewee who ever lived! Watch this amazing interview and notice how, even while fairly elderly, he closely parses the host's questions. He, quite simply, exudes attention to the importance of thought over belief. A good listener, he, expecting words and thoughts worthy of consideration from the host and so values them in return.

That he loved his tobacco, of course, is only a plus.

My eyes still get dewy eyed during Lord Russell's concluding comment. He makes me so proud of what mathematics represents and what sort of life it can lead to.

Next essay: Sweet Emotion