Why this book?
- To become acquainted with Russell's critical view of mysticism and intuition.
- To understand the relationship between science, logic, and philosophy in analytic thought.
- To read Russell's critique of pragmatism and the relativization of truth.
- To follow a philosophical debate on the question of God's existence.
About the book
"Mysticism and Logic" is a collection of articles by Bertrand Russell in which he addresses some of the most important problems of modern philosophy: the relationship between science and intuition, the place of logic in philosophy, the critique of pragmatism, the question of God's existence, and the possibility of knowing truth. Najaf Daryabandari's translation has also made this work one of the well-known translations of Russell in Persian.
In this book, Russell distinguishes between the lived and artistic value of intuition on the one hand, and its epistemic validity for scientific theorizing on the other. He does not entirely dismiss mysticism as a part of human experience, but opposes turning it into a basis for science and philosophy.
One of the central themes of the book is the defense of reason and logic against obscurantism, extreme intuitionism, and pragmatism. Russell believes that truth should not be equated solely with practical utility, as doing so can open the way for relativism and the misuse of the concept of truth.
This book is suitable for philosophy students, enthusiasts of analytic philosophy, philosophy of religion, mysticism studies, and the history of modern thought. The text is more specialized than some of Russell's more popular works and will be more beneficial for a reader prepared to engage with precise philosophical discussions.