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Can Men Be Rational

Russell defines rationality as taking into account all relevant evidence when arriving at a belief, while keeping alternative opinions in mind. Irrationality means disbelief in objective facts arising from desires to assert unsupported beliefs or deny evidence. Psychoanalysis can cultivate rationalism by helping people see themselves as others do and training them in scientific thinking. Complete rationality is ideal but attainable to a fair degree, as rational control of desires by intelligence is important for progress and harm prevention given modern means of harming others. At present, forces like education, media, politics and religion promote irrationality, so intelligence must provide solutions to world problems through more rational and balanced views. Russell opposes holding beliefs without grounds and advocates rationalism to

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471 views2 pages

Can Men Be Rational

Russell defines rationality as taking into account all relevant evidence when arriving at a belief, while keeping alternative opinions in mind. Irrationality means disbelief in objective facts arising from desires to assert unsupported beliefs or deny evidence. Psychoanalysis can cultivate rationalism by helping people see themselves as others do and training them in scientific thinking. Complete rationality is ideal but attainable to a fair degree, as rational control of desires by intelligence is important for progress and harm prevention given modern means of harming others. At present, forces like education, media, politics and religion promote irrationality, so intelligence must provide solutions to world problems through more rational and balanced views. Russell opposes holding beliefs without grounds and advocates rationalism to

Uploaded by

Abaid Ullah
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Can Men Be Rational?

The meaning of rationality


This essay begins with Russell declaring himself to be a Rationalist. He
defines rationality in his opinion as the habit of taking account of all relevant
evidence in arriving at a belief. Where certainty is not possible a rational man
will attach the greatest importance to the most probable opinion, while keeping
other opinions in his mind as alternatives which subsequent evidence may
show to be preferable.

The meaning of irrationality


Irrationality means disbelief in objective facts. It arises mostly from the desire
to assert something for which there is no evidence, or from the desire to deny
something for which there is sufficient evidence.

The usefulness of psycho analysis


Psycho-analysis can prove very useful in the cultivation of rationalism.
Psycho-analysis provides a technique by which we are enabled to see
ourselves as others see us. Combined with a training in the scientific outlook,
this method could help people to become much more rational than they are at
present regarding their beliefs about matters of fact and about the probable
effects of any proposed action.

The need of rationality in human life


Complete rationality is undoubtedly an ideal that cannot be achieved.
However, it is possible to attain a fair degree of rationality. All solid progress in
the world consists of an increase in rationality, both practical and theoretical. A
man is rational in proportion as his intelligence determines and controls his
desires. The control of our actions by our intelligence is ultimately of the
utmost importance, especially because science has increased the means at
our disposal for harming each other. At present all the great forces in the
world—education, the press, politics, religion—are on the side of irrationality. It
is to intelligence that we must look for the solution of the ills from which our
world is suffering. A more sane and balanced view of our relations with our
neighbours and with the world is urgently necessary.

Critical comments
Thus in this essay Russell opposes people’s tendency to hold beliefs for which
there are no grounds. Blind faith and prejudices belong to this category,
especially where ideas about our religion and our country are concerned.
Rationalism is a means whereby harmony in social and international relations
can be promoted. Nor can any enlightened man of today quarrel with Russell’s
thesis. Orthodox religious persons will, however, never allow their beliefs to be
subjected to the test of rationalism.

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