Remarkably relevant, beautifully written, and filled with wit and wisdom, these three essays by Bertrand Russell allow the listener to test the concepts of the good life, morality, the existence of God, Christianity, and human nature.
“What I Believe” was used prominently in the 1940 New York court proceedings in which Russell was judicially declared unfit to teach philosophy at City College of New York.
“Why I Am Not a Christian” concludes that churches throughout history have retarded progress and states that we should instead “look to our own efforts here below to make this world a fit place to live in.”
“A Free Man’s Worship,” perhaps the most famous single essay written by Russell, considers whether humans operate from free will.
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"Smart and beautifully written. I'll have to buy this book so I can go through it more thoroughly. Perhaps a deeper understanding will bump up my rating. Bertrand Russell may have a new fan." — SP (4 out of 5 stars)
"Smart and beautifully written. I'll have to buy this book so I can go through it more thoroughly. Perhaps a deeper understanding will bump up my rating. Bertrand Russell may have a new fan."
" Some of it is a bit dated now but the general ideas remain relevant. "
" Hard truth laid down simply and clearly. "
" Very tightly written examination of the authors first principles. For a short work it really forces the reader to think. "
" Shoulda been taught in school (i.e. the ones I went to). "
" A voice of reason in a mad world. "
" Short, direct. A good primer on Russell, if a bit dry. "
" So much better than my "magic is silly" argument. "
" Bertrand Russell's eternally young common sense. Lovely. "
" A good overview of humanist morals and what it takes to lead a good life. "
" Seminal writing on atheism and Russell's beliefs more specifically. Concise and elegant, Russell epitomizes modern philosophy at its finest. "
" Other than a single sentence in the final chapter, which sounds dangerously like eugenics, I agree with every word in this book. "
Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) was a mathematician, philosopher, pacifist, and winner of the 1950 Nobel Prize for literature. As a president of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, he opposed war and nuclear weapons and also advocated world government and peacemaking.
Terrence Hardiman has worked extensively in theater. He began at the Old Vic, went on to repertory at Bristol, and then spent five years as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He played the title role in BBC TV’s The Demon Headmaster, while his other television appearances include major parts in Secret Army, Miss Marple, Hannay, and Inspector Morse. Among his film credits are Mask of Murder, Loophole, and Gandhi.
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