Alan Schwerin under the auspices of the Bertrand Russell Society's Books

Hume’s Labyrinth

A Search for the Self

By: Alan Schwerin under the auspices of the Bertrand Russell Society

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Hume’s Labyrinth

A Search for the Self

By: Alan Schwerin under the auspices of the Bertrand Russell Society

In his magnum opus, David Hume asserts that a person is “nothing but a bundle or collection of different perceptions, which succeed each other with an inconceivable rapidity, and are in a perpetual flux and movement.” (Treatise 252) Hume is clearly proud of his bold thesis, as is borne out by his categorical arguments and analyses on the self. Contributions like this will, in his opinion, help establish a new science of human nature, “which will not be inferior in certainty, and will be much superior in utility to any other of human comprehension.” (Treatise xix) Unfortunately for Hume, the bundle theory of the self subsequently elicits substantial criticism and hostility from numerous critics, both philosophical and non-philosophical. As confident as the young Scot is about the merits of his theory when he first proposes it, the sharp critical responses to his thought on the self ultimately compel him to withdraw his controversial views from public scrutiny. The irony is that the author of the bundle theory of the self himself acknowledges that his account of the self is seriously defective. In his appendix to the Treatise, Hume decries the labyrinth that his views on the self have driven him into. Five years in the making, Hume’s Labyrinth: A Search for the Self explores in detail both Hume’s views on the self and his critical reservations on an account of the self that would subsequently become highly influential in the philosophy of mind. Central to Hume’s Labyrinth is the suggestion that a careful analysis of the appendix to the Treatise throws an invaluable light on a number of elements fundamental to Hume’s views on the self, not least of which is the role of Berkeley’s views on language. While Hume often acknowledges the significance of Berkeley’s philosophy in the Treatise, the argument here is that Berkeley’s account of terms is the foundation of Hume’s philosophy of the mind, with its contentious bundle theory of the self. And when this influence is assayed a new dimension of Hume’s views on the self emerges. For now it appears that the bundle theory of the self is nothing but a heuristic device adopted by Hume to help further philosophical investigations into the mind. In short, it turns out that Hume is a pragmatist, intent on presenting an account of the self that researchers interested in the problems of human nature will find useful.

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370

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Cambridge Scholars Publishing

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ISBN 10

1443839477

ISBN 13

9781443839471

Bertrand Russell on Nuclear War, Peace, and Language

Critical and Historical Essays

By: Alan Schwerin

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Bertrand Russell on Nuclear War, Peace, and Language

Critical and Historical Essays

By: Alan Schwerin

One of the most prominent philosophers and activists of the 20th century, Bertrand Russell is known not only for his fundamental contributions on the scope of human knowledge and on mathematical logic, but also for his often-controversial views on ethical and linguistic topics. This edited collection of original essays by prominent Russell scholars focuses on the philosopher's positions on the key issues of nuclear war, peace, and language. The contributors critically assess Russell's arguments within their historical and philosophical context and show the significance and topicality that his ideas have retained to the present day, some 80 years since their first articulation. Among the issues examined are Russell's advocacy of preventive war against the Soviets, his activism for peace, his critical assessment of Wittgenstein's analysis of ordinary language, and his account of mathematical statements.

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170

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Bloomsbury Publishing USA

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0313013403

ISBN 13

9780313013409

Bertrand Russell on Nuclear War, Peace, and Language

Critical and Historical Essays

By: Alan Schwerin

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Bertrand Russell on Nuclear War, Peace, and Language

Critical and Historical Essays

By: Alan Schwerin

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Bloomsbury Publishing USA

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0313013403

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9780313013409

Bertrand Russell’s Life and Legacy

By: Peter Stone

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Bertrand Russell’s Life and Legacy

By: Peter Stone

Almost five decades after his death, there is still ample reason to pay attention to the life and legacy of Bertrand Russell. This is true not only because of his role as one of the founders of analytic philosophy, but also because of his important place in twentieth-century history as an educator, public intellectual, critic of organized religion, humanist, and peace activist. The papers in this anthology explore Russell’s life and legacy from a wide variety of perspectives. This is altogether fitting, given the many-sided nature of Russell, his life, and his work. The first section of the book considers Russell the man, and draws lessons from Russell’s complicated personal life. The second examines Russell the philosopher, and the philosophical world within which his work was embedded. The third scrutinizes Russell the atheist and critic of organized religion, inquiring which parts of his critical stance are worth emulating today. The final section revisits Russell the political activist; it directs an eye both at Russell’s own long career of peace activism, but also at his place in a highly political family tradition of which he was justifiably proud. This book thus constitutes an invitation, if one were needed, to the world of Bertrand Russell. Those new to Russell, but with an interest in biography, philosophy, religion, or politics, will hopefully find something to learn here. This may spark an interest in learning more about Russell. But this book is not just intended for the Russell neophyte. The book sheds fresh light on a number of topics central to Russell studies—his connections to other philosophers, for example. Scholars well-versed in Russell studies will enjoy grappling with the treatment given to these topics here.

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214

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Vernon Press

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1622731913

ISBN 13

9781622731916

Book's by Alan Schwerin under the auspices of the Bertrand Russell Society

Hume’s Labyrinth

Hume’s Labyrinth

Bertrand Russell on Nuclear War, Peace, and Language

Bertrand Russell on Nuclear War, Peace, and Language

Bertrand Russell on Nuclear War, Peace, and Language

Bertrand Russell on Nuclear War, Peace, and Language

Bertrand Russell’s Life and Legacy

Bertrand Russell’s Life and Legacy

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