Eisworth
Homo Sapiens
Joined: 07 Jan 2005
Posts: 461
Location: Athens, OH
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 Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:40 am Post subject: 61. Why I am Not a Christian by Bertrand Russell |
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This is a collection of essays by Russell intended for "the masses". There was nothing in here that resonated with me in any way, in part because the essays seem so dated (some go back to 1911). Russell is much more readable than Richard Dawkins; I always think Dawkins comes off as a bit of an a**hole, while Russell at least is TRYING to communicate civilly with those who don't agree with him. The works in this book are of historical interest for college professors, though, because they form part of the background for current ideas of academic freedom --- in 1940, Russell (acknowledged as one of the 2 or 3 most important philosophers at the time) was ruled unfit to be a Professor at City College in New York because of his opinions on religion and sex. The essay he wrote after this incident "Freedom and the Colleges" is included in the book.
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Todd Eisworth
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Ohio University |
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