Single Idea 5361

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 1. Philosophy]

Full Idea

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

Gist of Idea

Philosophers must get used to absurdities

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch. 2)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.9


A Reaction

He says this jokingly, but it is obviously true. Philosophy requires extreme imagination, and it also requires taking seriously possibilities that are dismissed by others. It would be a catastrophe if we all dismissed the truth as self-evidently false.