Bertrand Russell's "China Teapot"

My apologies for yet another recorded essay. Work is getting in the way of my video making lately.

This is from an essay written by Bertrand Russell, "Is There a God?" which was written but never put in print by "Illustrated" in late 1952.

I've chosen some selections from the whole text of the essay.
http://www.cfpf.org.uk/articles/religion/br/br_god.html
http://jeromekahn123.tripod.com/thinkersonreligion/id15.html

You may not know about Bertrand Russell. Wikipedia is a fine place to start your research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_Russell

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Entry:
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/russell/

He's an enormously interesting and complex character. I've chosen this essay not because it's particularly profound, but because it's so commonly used as an illustration of skepticism about the supernatural.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Bertrand
• Rusell
• China
• Teapot
• philosophy
• skeptic
• religion
• historical
• atheism
• dogma
• belief
• agnostic
• c0nc0rdance

[dosh228]

The map of faiths at 4:30 couldn't be any more wrong

[C0nc0rdance]

@dosh228

Take it up with Encyclopedia Britannica (2003). This is their "Atlas of Faith".

[danielhmanning]

@MyContext And herein lies the mistake: you've made the assumption that I want you to believe what I believe. It's understandable; most Christians are like that... And Atheists, Muslims, Communists, Republicans, Feminists, Packers fans, yoga instructors, etc, etc. I know what I believe, and I know why I believe it, and I have no interest in arguing anyone into submission to my beliefs. I don't have a problem with Bertrand; just with his more militant followers.

[MyContext]

@MyContext I do understand having beliefs that have no support, however, I do not expect anyone to just agree to them. I still believe that people can be better, however, given the general state of affairs - it really doesn't look like such a notion is reasonable, however, I find working toward such a goal worth the effort.

[MyContext]

@danielhmanning I may disagree or find your claim lacking, however, ignorant is off the table given your commentary...:)

What reason do you have that would be reasonable to someone who does NOT already share your position? Since, this is the only criteria that I have for considering whether something is reasonable in general. There have been many positions that I have not agreed with, but I saw the reason in their claims.

[danielhmanning]

@MyContext LOL... If I miss the point? No, I think I got the point just fine, but thanks for your concern.

As far as support goes, what kind are you willing to accept? Even better: if I know for absolute certain that God is real, would you allow me to believe in him without calling me ignorant?

[MyContext]

@danielhmanning I grant one could make up a reason. However, is there a good reason? A reason that has actual support? He is simply pointing out there if there is no justification for the claim what are the merits of making the claim? See my profile regarding the ULINK if you miss the point...

[kidasterorig111]

I see an argument and an analogy.

Problem of evil argument

Teapot argument

[danielhmanning]

@gamesguru Bertrand is pretty easy to refute, actually, because as an atheist, he had prejudices, as all people who hold strong beliefs do. Quick example: when he says there is no reason to believe in God, he's really saying that there is no scientific reason to believe in something that, if it exists, must certainly transcend science. That's like me grading someone's math homework for proper spelling and grammar, rather than for mathematical skill. Russell is a strong mind, but not infallible.

[modelleg]

Thanks...well done!

[gamesguru]

Everyone should listen to this guy's work a few times and try to refute him.

[WestonPDX100]

What a bright light of rationality. Thanks for posting!