Mysticism and Logic and Other Essays

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25447

Title

Mysticism and Logic and Other Essays

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Bertrand Russell's *Mysticism and Logic* explores the tension between scientific rationality and mystical intuition, arguing that true philosophy harmonizes these opposing human impulses. Through essays on mathematics, ethics, and metaphysics, Russell applies rigorous logical analysis to traditional philosophical problems, challenging dogmatic beliefs while acknowledging the depth of human feeling. This collection offers a clear, reasoned perspective on knowledge, reality, and the role of science in a liberal education, appealing to readers seeking intellectual clarity and a balanced worldview.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Mysticism and Logic and Other Essays*, Bertrand Russell explores the tension between empirical science and metaphysical inquiry, arguing that the greatest thinkers have historically blended observation with profound feeling. He illustrates this union through Heraclitus and Plato, showing how scientific reflection and mystical depth coexist in philosophy. Russell distinguishes three dimensions of space: logical, physical, and epistemological. He contends that pure geometry is hypothetical and logical, while physical geometry is synthetic and derived from sense experience, thereby challenging Kant's claim to synthetic a priori knowledge. Russell further analyzes realism by distinguishing between meaning and denotation, demonstrating that propositions about definite descriptions, such as "the author of Waverley," do not contain their referents as constituents but assert the existence of a unique entity satisfying a propositional function. He develops his theory of knowledge by differentiating between acquaintance—direct awareness of sense-data, universals, and oneself—and description, which provides indirect knowledge of physical objects and other minds. Russell critiques causation as a habit of thought rather than a necessary connection and examines the ultimate constituents of matter through the lens of physics and sense-data. Throughout the essays, he advocates for an analytic method that breaks down complex problems into simpler, solvable parts, rejecting unexamined assumptions and dogmatic intuitions. The collection champions a philosophy grounded in logic and evidence while remaining open to the poetic and mystical dimensions of human experience, offering a timeless defense of rational inquiry without dismissing the depth of human emotion.

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Categories

• Philosophy
• Science
• Mathematics