BERTRAND RUSSEL Betrand Russel was born in 18 May 1872 at Trellech, Monmouthshire in the United Kingdom. His works revolve around the themes of Philosophy, Mathematics, logic. He has received Nobel prize in literature in 1950. He has contributed more than 60 books and about 1000 articles, to his credit. In this essay ‘How to avoid foolish opinions’, Russel has made a piece of advice to the world for the sake of navigating ourselves away from making mistakes. Observation: Aristotle has made statement that women have fewer teeth than men. At least, He would better ask his wife to keep her mouth open for counting teeth. The author believes that hedgehogs eat black beetles, because he has been told that they do. As well as, ancient and medieval authors wrote about unicorns and salamanders as if they witnessed. Pity rather than Anger: When somebody told you that two and two are five; Iceland is on the equator- a simple concepts of algebra and geography, then you better feel pity rather than anger. The most savage controversies are found at no good evidence. Persecution is used in theology, not in arithmetic, because in arithmetic there is knowledge, but in theology there is only opinion. So, author suggested us whenever we get angry about a difference of opinion, better be control. Dogmatism: Author got benefitted of living in different countries when he was young. He suggested us to search people with whom you disagree, and read a newspaper of opponent party. If the people and the newspaper seem mad and wicked, remind yourself that you seem so to them. In this opinion both parties may be right, but they cannot both be wrong. This reflection should generate a certain caution. In the 17th century, when the Manchus conquered China, it was the custom among the Manchus for the men to wear-pigtails. Chinese continued to wear pigtails until they won Manchus in the revolution of 1911. Imaginary argument: Gandhi disapproved of maintaining railways steamboats and machinery as he opposed industrial revolution. In western countries most people take the advantage of modern technique for granted. The author has sometimes been led actually to change his mind as a result of this kind of imaginary dialogue. Praise of Self-esteem: In a poll, nine out of ten are strongly convinced with their own gender superiority. As a citizen of a country, we should realise that our own nation is superior to all others. Finally, we should remind ourselves that man is a brief episode in the life of a small planet in a little corner of the universe. Prepared by B.SULOCHANA Lecturer in English D.S.Government Degree College (w) Ongole,Prakasam district

1. B.SULOCHANA
LECTURER IN ENGLISH
D.S.G.D.C(W),ONGOLE
PRAKASAM DISTRICT
How to
Avoid Foolish Opinions
-Bertrand Russell

2. •18 MAY 1872
•Trellech, Monmouthshire
United Kingdom
BORN
•Philosophy
Mathematics, logic
•Nobel prize: 1950
•More than 60 books
•About 1000 articles
WORKS
INTRODUCTION
TO THE AUTHOR
BETRAND RUSSEL

3. INTRODUCTION TO THE ESSAY
‘HOW TO AVOID FOOLISH OPINIONS’
A piece of advice to navigate
ourselves away from making
mistake
"Avoiding stupidity is easier
than seeking intelligence"
Essay of simple ideas

4. OBSERVATION
PITY THAN
ANGER
DOGMATISM
PSYCHO
LOGICAL
IMAGINATION
PRAISE OF
SELF ESTEEM

5. OBSERVATION
“Women have fewer
teeth
than men”
-Aristotle
“Hedgehogs eat black
beetles”
-Author believes
Unicorns and
salamanders
ancient and medieval
authors assume

6. ICELAND
2x2=5
Feel pity rather than anger

7. DOGMATISM
 Author got benefitted of living in different countries
when he was young.
 He suggested us to search people with whom you
disagree, and read a newspaper of opponent party
 If the people and the newspaper seem mad and
wicked, remind yourself that you seem so to them.
 In this opinion both parties may be right, but they
cannot both be wrong. This reflection should
generate a certain caution.