Full Idea
Empiricism is to be commended not only on the grounds of its greater truth, but also on ethical grounds. Dogma demands authority rather than intelligent thought; it requires persecution of heretics and unbelievers, and favours systematic hatred.
Gist of Idea
Empiricism is ethically superior, because dogmatism favours persecution and hatred
Source
Bertrand Russell (Philosophy and Politics [1950], p.31)
Book Reference
Russell,Bertrand: 'Unpopular Essays' [Unwin 1990], p.31
A Reaction
He links empiricism with the liberal outlook. At its best, the respect by empiricists for evidence is a sort of humility.
Related Idea
Idea 23172 Empiricist Liberalism is the only view for someone who favours scientific evidence and happiness [Russell]