Quotes from work
The Problems of Philosophy

The Problems of Philosophy is a 1912 book by Bertrand Russell, in which the author attempts to create a brief and accessible guide to the problems of philosophy. Focusing on problems he believes will provoke positive and constructive discussion, Russell concentrates on knowledge rather than metaphysics: If it is uncertain that external objects exist, how can we then have knowledge of them but by probability. There is no reason to doubt the existence of external objects simply because of sense data.

“The man who has fed the chicken every day throughout its life at last wrings its neck instead, showing that more refined views as to the uniformity of nature would have been useful to the chicken.”

Bertrand Russell The Problems of Philosophy

Source: The Problems of Philosophy

“Philosophy, if it cannot answer so many questions as we could wish, has at least the power of asking questions which increase the interest of the world, and show the strangeness and wonder lying just below the surface even in the commonest things of daily life.”

Bertrand Russell The Problems of Philosophy

Source: 1910s, The Problems of Philosophy (1912)

“Whoever wishes to become a philosopher must learn not to be frightened by absurdities.”

Bertrand Russell The Problems of Philosophy

Source: The Problems of Philosophy

“Is there any knowledge in the world which is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it?”

Bertrand Russell The Problems of Philosophy

Source: 1910s, The Problems of Philosophy (1912)