My Seminar Paper Notes

Bertrand Russell's 'History of Western Philosophy'. Book Three Part One Chapters 1-9; A Summary

The survival of the fittest

The first chapter incorporates a summary of the comparison between the 'modern' and medieval worlds. Firstly the church, it's view, constraints and influence on society is diminishing and secondly, science is growing. I title it 'survival of the fittest', Russell describes this season of history as the 'long fight between science and dogma' (page 512). What is dogma? Why does Russell associate religion with such a term? Dogma is when a collection of religious beliefs or doctrines is deemed to be true or authorised without any given substantial proof. However what are we if we do not believe in something? Science demands a close social structure, therefore against individualism. Did the rise of science bring along some blind followers, the individual stand up and things for himself. Russell also explains that science itself is incomplete, it tells man that he can perform all these great wonders, but not what wonders specifically. Therefore, is science really that more direct, specific and factual than religion?

In the beginning

This second chapter explains how the renaissance started in Florence, Italy. It was 'not a popular movement' (page 521) because it encouraged a way of thinking that had been already stamped out. The renaissance was the revival of the classic Greek thinkers, for example the study of Plato was revived. 'Florence was the most civilized city in the world' (page 517), it is interesting that the place deemed most refined should be the start of the uproar; change in society.

Only do it if it serves you

Here in chapter three we learn that 1513 was the year that the renaissance died, what was left behind? Well it was a time when few rulers were legitimate. Brutus believed that religion should have a place in the state as a 'social cement' , that the Romans were right to pretend to believe. But the church itself had undermined belief through evil conduct. God may be divine, pure and perfect but mankind is corrupt. People made a bad name for the church. For example this is the time when the book 'The Prince' was written stating that 'princes should only keep faith when it pays to do so' (page 528) and this is exactly what I mean by corruption. Men began to forgive anything as long as it paid. What was left after the Renaissance? The reformation began with the influence of Luther, originating north of the Alps, far from where the Renaissance began.

How the one influenced the other

Chapter four discusses Erasmus and Sir Thomas More and how these two men influenced each other. The Renaissance began later in northern countries and then got 'entangled' with the reformation. There was actually, interestingly a short space of time in the 16th Century when there was no theological controversy, rather a lot of learning. Erasmus edited a New Testament into a revised Latin translation,. Erasmus loved Latin and was very skilled in the language. He also wrote 'The Folly of Praise' . In the book he suggests that true religion is folly. He had an influence on English education because believed in the original form, only Greek or Latin texts. Russell believes that Thomas More was 'more admirable than Erasmus' (page 538). but less important. More thought of joining the order but was 'INFLUENCED BY ERASMUS' (page 538). More did law instead and went onto work for King Henry VIII. He won the King's favour up until he didn't agree with Henry divorcing Catherine of Aregon for Anne Boleyn. He resigned in 1532 and was later accused of high treason when he didn't sign the Act of Supremacy and was beheaded.

Rebellion

Chapter five discusses the reformation and counter reformation. The civilized nations, such as the Jesuits (largest Roman Catholic order) strongly rebelled against these movements. There was a change in Catholic ides, for example purgery. Jesuits believed in faith and works while protestants believed in faith alone.

Science; the great four

Chapter six (appropriately titled 'The Rise of Science') talks about the work of 1. Newton, 2. Copericus, 3.Kepler and 4. Galileo. Russell states 'its not what the man of science believes that distinguishes him but how and why he believes' (page 549). Newton believed that there was a 'need for God to set mechanism working'. According to Newton God spoke the law of gravity initially and then everything worked without him. Men wanted success, rather than being professed sinners every Sunday. Why need God? Science made mankind feel important, intelligent, liberal; it made people feel good. Galileo is renowned for his improvements to the telescope which showed him the phases of Venus and facts about Jupitar. He is known as the father of science.

The man who stuffed a chicken with snow

Francis Bacon (chapter 7) had a political career that ended badly, he was however able to continue being an influence on society.
He died an interesting death, he believed in 'hands on' study, observation and discovery, devoting his life to it. He froze to death whilst attempting to stuff a dead chicken with snow.

Bees

Hobbes was an empiricist so he believed in knowledge gained through experience. However he was also intently fond of the mathematical method. There were two opposing ideas, one of pure English empiricism where maths was not an influence and people lost sight of the true 'scientific method', and the other being the philosophy of 'pure mathematics' without experience (page 531). Hobbes was the first empiricist of those times who was open to mathematics. Most of his inspiration came from Galileo rather than Bacon.

Hobbes though that men should live like bees. Bees all live in the same beehive, they do not question their position, they do not expect more from their position and they do not question the leadership with their own reasoning. The bees make a covenant, agreeing to obey those in power.


Meditating in the oven

We come to chapter 9.

Descartes lived from 1596-1650. The man who was attacked because his 'views led to athiesm', he was opposed by the empirisict groups (including Hobbes) because of his strong mathematical interest and influence. He is rembered as the founder of modern philosophy because he proved many of the theories of Aristotle, a previously acclaimed philosopher, to be wrong. Hid ideas were daring, fresh, original and better informed. He was not particularly social, in fact he spent two years meditating alone. He could only think if he were warm and spent much time in the oven. Descartes found the bridge between algebra and geometry,a great step in mathematics because it brought about calculus.