Russell's Scientific Mysticism

Abstract

WHATWAS THE relation of mysticism and religion to Russell's philosophy? Most people, no doubt, would answ:er none at all! Or, if they acknowledged any relation, it would be entirely negative. That is, they might point out that Russell rejected mysticism and all other forms of religion and expended a great deal of effort attacking them. Russell the sceptic attacked religious dogma. Russell the social reformer attacked religious institutions for their social conservatism. Russell the rationalist attacked the idea that mystical insight was the route to knowledge. The standard view-that religion had no substantial positive impact on Russell's thought-has been clearly stated by A. J. Ayer. Russell, he writes,