more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 6443

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 6. Judgement / b. Error]

Full Idea

Surprise is a criterion of error.

Gist of Idea

Surprise is a criterion of error

Source

Bertrand Russell (My Philosophical Development [1959], Ch.15)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'My Philosophical Development' [Routledge 1993], p.136


A Reaction

Russell is not too precise about this, but it is a nice point. Surprise is thwarted expectation, which implies prior misjudgement.