domenica, febbraio 02, 2003

On February 2, 1970, Bertrand Russell died in Wales, at age 98.
Born into a distinguished English family (his grandfather was Prime Minister), Russell was orphaned as a young child and
raised by his grandmother. An extraordinarily bright young man, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he eventually
taught as well. One of the 20th century's most influential figures, Russell was best known for his work in mathematical
logic, his progressive social views, and his advocacy of pacifism and nuclear disarmament. He received the Nobel Prize in 1950.
In "Skeptical Essays," he wrote chiastically:

"We have, in fact, two kinds of morality side by side;
one which we preach but do not practice,
and another which we practice but seldom preach."

He writings also included many thought-provoking oxymoronic observations:

"To be without some of the things you want
is an indispensable part of happiness."

"Although this may seem a paradox, all exact science
is dominated by the idea of approximation."

"We must be skeptical even of our skepticism."

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