 Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 |
Since I do not admit that a person without bias exists, I think the best that can be done with a large-scale history is to admit one's bias and for dissatisfied readers to look for other writers to express an opposite bias. Which bias is nearer to the truth must be left to posterity. This point of view on the writing of history makes me prefer my History of Western Philosophy to the Wisdom of the West which was taken from the former.
Source: The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell, v.2 chap. 6: America, 1968.
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It is good to have as few preconceptions and preconceived notions as possible, but we must be well aware that there are limits. It is believed that there are good preconceptions. It is a human preconception that humans should continue to exist, and from the insect's point of view, it is likely that humans should not exist.
Therefore, it is important to avoid preconceptions as much as possible and to be aware that preconceptions cannot be eliminated.
Some people criticize Russell's "History of Western Philosophy" by saying that it contains too much of Russell's personal opinions, but this criticism often misses the point. Perhaps because many people have such misconceptions, even histories of philosophy that have a good academic reputation are often read only by researchers and students.
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