Our Knowledge Of The External World As A Field For Scientific Method In Philosophy By Bertrand Russell

Synopsis: Bertrand Russell's Our Knowledge of the External World investigates the problem of perception from an analytic-philosophical perspective. Here the great British mathematician and philosopher gives a thoughtful exposition of his logically motivated epistemology and argues for a controversial solution to a long-standing philosophical riddle. Skillfully written with an accessible lucidity by a brilliant scholar, it requires of the reader neither prior knowledge of logic nor aptitude for philosophical inquiry. The book serves as essential reading for anyone interested in the intersection of logic and epistemology including the development of analytic philosophy in the twentieth century.

"Our Knowledge of the External World - As a Field for Scientific Method in Philosophy" by Bertrand Russell is a seminal work in the philosophy of science. Published in 1914, this book reflects Russell's attempts to apply the rigorous methods of science to the study of philosophical problems and to clarify the nature and limits of human knowledge. Bertrand Russell, a British philosopher, logician, and mathematician, was a leading figure in the development of analytic philosophy in the 20th century. In this book, he seeks to establish a scientific foundation for philosophy by examining the methods and assumptions of scientific inquiry and their implications for philosophical questions. One of the central themes of the book is the relationship between perception, cognition, and reality. Russell explores questions about the nature of knowledge, the reliability of sense perception, and the possibility of objective truth. He argues that scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence and logical reasoning, and he advocates for a critical approach to philosophical inquiry that is grounded in the methods of science. Moreover, Russell discusses the role of language and mathematics in shaping our understanding of the external world. He examines the ways in which conceptual frameworks and symbolic systems influence our perceptions and interpretations of reality, and he emphasizes the importance of clarity and precision in philosophical analysis. Additionally, "Our Knowledge of the External World" addresses a range of philosophical topics, including the nature of space and time, causality, induction, and the problem of skepticism. Russell engages with classical philosophical debates and offers innovative solutions to longstanding problems, drawing on insights from logic, mathematics, and the natural sciences. Russell's writing is characterized by its clarity, rigor, and intellectual sophistication. He presents complex ideas with precision and elegance, making them accessible to readers without sacrificing depth or nuance. Overall, "Our Knowledge of the External World" is a landmark work that continues to influence debates in philosophy of science, epistemology, and metaphysics. Russell's emphasis on the importance of empirical evidence, logical analysis, and scientific method remains relevant for contemporary discussions about the nature and scope of human knowledge.

Philosophy, from the earliest times, has made greater claims, and achieved fewer results, than any other branch of learning. Ever since Thales said that all is water, philosophers have been ready with glib assertions about the sum-total of things; and equally glib denials have come from other philosophers ever since Thales was contradicted by Anaximander. I believe that the time has now arrived when this unsatisfactory state of things can be brought to an end.

British philosopher Bertrand Russell made a number of significant contributions to the field, including helping to found the area of inquiry known as analytical philosophy and advancing the practice of logic. He also helped to influence the development of the philosophy of science by focusing on empiricism in new ways. The underpinnings of Russell's views on science and metaphysics are set forth in Our Knowledge of the External World as a Field for Scientific Method in Philosophy.

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Excerpt from Our Knowledge of the External World: As a Field for Scientific Method in Philosophy Since my purpose was to illustrate method, I have included much that is tentative and incomplete, for it is not by the study of finished structures alone that the manner of construction can' be learnt. Except in regard to such matters as Cantor's theory of infinity, no finality is claimed for the theories suggested but I believe that where they are found to require modification, this will be discovered by substantially the same method as that which at present makes them appear probable, and it is on this ground that I ask the reader to be tolerant of their incompleteness. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.