 Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 |
During this time my intellectual ambitions were taking shape. I resolved not to adopt a profession, but to devote myself to writing. I remember a cold, bright day in early spring when I walked by myself in the Tiergarten, and made projects of future work. I thought that I would write one series of books on the philosophy of the sciences from pure mathematics to physiology, and another series of books on social questions. I hoped that the two series might ultimately meet in a synthesis at once scientific and practical. My scheme was largely inspired by Hegelian ideas. Nevertheless, I have to some extent followed it in later years, as much at any rate as could have been expected. The moment was an important and formative one as regards my purposes.
Source: Bertrand Russell: The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell, v.１, chap. 5: First marriage, 1967
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Russell's great achievements in many fields and his great influence on people around the world were due to this determination at a young age. Anyone can have delusions of grandeur, but to realize those delusions, there are many factors that come into play, including ability, wealth, luck, historical background, country and region of birth, and other factors.
In terms of ability, Russell was outstanding.
In terms of wealth, Russell had inherited 20,000 pounds from his late father. Russell's grandfather, John Russell, was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, so his family background must have been a plus.
Russell's youth was Britain's heyday, but then came its downfall. (The convenience of being British is far outweighed by that of being American.)
Being born and raised in England, the center of the English-speaking world, worked to his advantage.
Russell's life would be suitable for an "epic drama," but it is too complex to be made into a drama for the general public.
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