Russell’s Teapot Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) Group 1 Tunde Gore Forehand Shannon Johnson Margarita Menendez-Edge Svitlana Morris Donna Williams (Philosophy of Nursing Science - Summer 2014)

Bertrand Russell Philosopher Mathematician Social reformer Writer Columbia Electronc Enceclopedia, 2013; Picture 1

The source of Russell’s Philosophical Perspective Russell stated that his personal philosophy was influenced by the three strong obsessions: -- yearning for love -- seeking for knowledge -- unmanageable pity for the suffering of humans Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 2013

Fundamental Influences Raised by grandmother under puritanical rules, that influenced his view on morality and education Education and work at Trinity College, Cambridge influenced his writings about philosophy and mathematics: Embraced pacifism during WW1 Columbia Electronic Enceclopedia,2013

Inherent Values Develops liberal views on marriage, sex, and later homosexuality: 1929 Teaches in the United States :1930th Received the Nobel Prize for Literature: 1950 Protests against atomic bomb: Organizes the war crime tribunal in Stockholm and protested against actions in Vietnam : 1967 Columbia Electronic Enceclopedia,2013

Russell - Philosopher Russell's views were developed in opposition to the extremes he encountered Russell's logical atomism: logical independence of individual facts and the dependence of knowledge on the data of original experience Columbia Electronic Enceclopedia,2013

Russell - Philosopher Logical constructivism was first employed in his mathematical theory - developed from symbolic logic of Peano -mathematics could be explained by the rules of formal logic - technique was also applied to other concepts: physical objects and the mind Columbia Electronic Enceclopedia,2013

Russell Philosopher Russell’s empiricism - mathematical, philosophical, or ethical thought was based on actual experience, not on vague principle Empiricist - pro-science, not religious, moderate or liberal in politics (Godfrey-Smith, 2003, Chapter 2)

Russell Philosopher Relativism- good and evil he saw to be resolvable in (or constructed from) individual desires Skepticism, toward his own thought as well as that of others Columbia Electronic Enceclopedia,2013

Russell Social Reformer Pacifism-peaceful and happy world could not be achieved without deep changes in education Clip Art Gallery Columbia Electronic Enceclopedia,2013;

Russell Philosopher objections to religion/propositions in absence of evidence -- important is not what person believes, but how person believes it -- argument about a teapot orbiting the sun Columbia Electronic Enceclopedia,2013; Ludlov, 2008; Clip Art Gallery

Russell’s Teapot Critique Is the perspective useful of science? – Useful, because it urges scientist to provide proof of all claims in order to avoid debates such as Russell’s teapot.

Russell’s Teapot Critique Does the philosopher communicate for understanding? – Yes, provides an analogy of a teapot floating in space that can’t be proved/disproved to belief in religion Is the perspective true? – Subjective – Dependent on beliefs

Russell’s Teapot Critique Could these proposals enhance nursing science & practice? –Yes, provides reason for evidenced based practice. One must treat patient based on research and proven results. Does the perspective relate to the current state of science? – No, religion and science often times don’t relate, one is based on belief while the other is on proven evidence.

References Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3d Earl. (2013). Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition,, 1-2. Retrieved from ezproxy.twu.edu:2048/login?url= search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=a9h&AN= &site=ehost -live&scope=site Copleston, Frederick Charles (1975). History of Philosophy. Paulist Press. p ISBN X. Retrieved

References Godfrey-Smith, P. (2003). Theory and reality: an introduction to the philosophy of science. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press Hochberg, H. (1994). Causal connections, universals, and Russell's hypothetico-scientific realism. Monist, 77(1), 71. Retrieved from proxy.twu.edu:2060/login.aspx?direct=true&db= a9h&AN= &site=ehost- live&scope=site

References Ludlow, Peter, "Descriptions", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2008 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). Retrieved from ntries/descriptions/ [Photograph of Brnardt Russel]. Retreived from: content/uploads/image/2012/july/bertrand- russell.jpg

References [Picture ]. Downloaded from the Clip Art Gallery, 06/14/2014 Pigden, Charles, "Russell's Moral Philosophy", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2008 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). Retrieved from ntries/russell-moral/