Keeping Errors at Bay by Bertrand Russell, England (1872 – 1970)
Author’s Background: British
philosopher, logician, writer, and social critic Bertrand Arthur William
Russell was born in 1872 and died in 1970. He is well recognized for his
contributions to mathematical logic and analytic philosophy, and he has won multiple
awards, including the Nobel Prize for Literature, the Kalinga Prize from UNESCO
for his original ideas, the De Morgan Medal, offer and Sylvester Medal in Mathematics,
among others.
Literal Comprehension
Ø The
essay "Keeping Errors at Bay" explains why mistakes happen and offer some solutions. According to the author, people frequently do a variety of
stupid errors, but if they adhere to a few straightforward guidelines, the
errors can be avoided. If at all possible, we ought to resolve any dispute
through observation. If we don't actually know something, we shouldn't pretend
to know it. When he said that women have fewer teeth than men, even Aristotle
erred. He could have prevented making such a stupid error if he had counted his
wife's teeth.
Ø In
the absence of observation, we shall contrast our beliefs with those of our
adversaries. We could become enraged with viewpoints that differ from our own.
But if we become irate, it indicates that we have no compelling reason to
concur. There are customs unique to each society. There isn't just one
viewpoint shared by all social civilizations. Therefore, until we familiarize
ourselves with many viewpoints in various settings, we cannot escape our social
dogmatism. Additionally, we should have the patience to read or listen to the
viewpoints of the other party. If at all possible, we should visit other
countries or converse with people who hold different views from our own.
Ø We
can employ creativity to avert our errors. We can communicate with our
fictitious rivals. We can practice it anytime, anyplace, and it is not
restricted by time or space. It might contribute to modifying our rigid
beliefs. We shouldn't be self-absorbed and extol our own self-worth. This makes
us biased. When we are self-centered, we tend to overvalue our virtues and
ignore our faults. It causes our judgment to be unjust and uneven. Therefore,
we must avoid it. Finally, we must prevent our fear, which
is a common cause of mistakes. We may be more likely to make mistakes regarding
life if we are afraid of dying. We could avoid what is already known out of fear of the unknown. As a result, our worries prevent us from considering many
crucial issues. Similarly, superstition develops from fear. Such apprehensions
may only be dispelled through intelligence, the author claims.
Interpretation: According
to the author, humans are affected by a variety of things, including stupidity,
incorrect beliefs, avarice, prejudice, superior and inferior feelings, and
discrimination. Therefore, if a person has positive attitudes, language
awareness, cultural values, respect for a counterargument, and knowledge, which are
the fundamental traits for avoiding mistakes, this essay makes them aware
of superstitions and absurd notions.
Critical Thinking: After
reading this essay, I find myself disagreeing with several of the author's
claims because:
• Is it possible to make observations on
every circumstance?
• Is observation possible without any
resources?
• How can we trust that the opinions of
others are true?
• Is it feasible for people to live
without fear?
Assimilation: After
reading this essay, I have come to the conclusion that to gain a broad
understanding, we must observe people, travel to many locations, listen to what
they have to say, and tolerate opposing viewpoints.