There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths. Almost inevitably some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only because they are comforting. But he dares not face this thought! Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not rational, he becomes furious when they are disputed.
— Bertrand Russell
2007-11-05 11:35:05 · 8 answers · asked by Y!A-FOOL 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think it a bit unfair. We each of us have our comfortable myths. In a world full on unanswerable questions, the mind would be driven mad with anxiety if we didn't have some means to resolve the unanswerable questions.
2007-11-05 11:38:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Same statements and observations can be applied to scientific behavior: There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable THEORIES. Almost inevitably some part of him is aware that they are JUST THEORIES and that he believes them only because they are comforting, AS HE CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING BEYOND THE COMMUNITY'S AGREEMENT. But he dares not face this thought! Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that THE COMMUNITY'S opinions are not rationally TRUTHFUL, he becomes PARANOID AND AGGRESSIVE when they are disputed. All the laws of physics are utterly wrong!
The Dunce
2007-11-05 12:19:32 · answer #2 · answered by Gone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have to say yes because he did use the word 'almost' which leaves room for exceptions to the rule. This reminds me of something I copied from a web site named www.911truth.org. "We come to the ultimate realization that we can be fooled, and it is embarrassing to admit that those assertions we would stake our lives upon, and the derision we feel toward those who do not agree with us, are after all only based upon an illusion." I liked that thought enough to copy it and yours by Mr. Russell will go into the same file. Thanks.
2007-11-05 12:09:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did he mean "comfortable myths" like those of modernity?
The quote reveals more about Russel than it does about religious behavior.
2007-11-05 11:39:09 · answer #4 · answered by Timaeus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coming from Mr. Atlantis himself, I would say no.
2007-11-05 11:39:48 · answer #5 · answered by quillologist 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I loved him. Dead on, does not mix words.
He was like Richard Dawkins is today. Do not play games, say it like it is.....
2007-11-05 12:01:47 · answer #6 · answered by Tricia R 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seems pretty accurate to me!
2007-11-05 11:47:33 · answer #7 · answered by annilou 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no.
2007-11-05 11:41:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋