I have frequently experienced myself the mood in which I felt that all is vanity; I have emerged from it not by means of any philosophy, but owing to some imperative necessity of action.
Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap. 1
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We tend to become pessimistic when things do not go as we hope, and conversely, we feel optimistic when everything we want to do goes smoothly. However, both pessimism and optimism usually do not last long. What helps us emerge from a pessimistic state, as suggested in "Today's Russell's Quote," is not some philosophy, but -- as Russell put it -- "not by means of any philosophy, but owing to some imperative necessity of action." It is this kind of practical necessity that often brings us back to ourselves.
Russell also makes a similar point in the chapter on Schopenhauer in A History of Western Philosophy (1945, Book III, Part 2):
“From a scientific point of view, optimism and pessimism are alike objectionable: optimism assumes, or attempts to prove, that the universe exists to please us, and pessimism that it exists to displease us. Scientifically, there is no evidence that it is concerned with us either one way or the other. The belief in either pessimism or optimism is a matter of temperament, not of reason."
In other words, from a scientific or logical point of view, it is a mistake to think that the universe has any special concern for humanity. Only those who believe that God created the world can subjectively believe this to be true. Christians believe that only those who truly believe in Christ will be saved, while Muslims believe that salvation comes only to those who faithfully follow the teachings of Muhammad.
People are free to believe what they wish. But many who blindly and fanatically believe in a particular religion do not respect religious diversity. In extreme cases, they even participate in war in the name of faith.
That said -- what does President Trump believe in? From what I have observed of his words and actions over the years, he appears to me to be nothing more than a delusional narcissist, driven by an excessive desire for self-assertion and power.
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