The Three Passions of Bertrand Russell Course/Class July 8, 2011

In the Prologue to his autobiography, Russell wrote, unforgettably: Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. These passions, like great winds, have blown me hither and thither, in a wayward course over a deep ocean... Russells contributions to our philosophical understanding of these three things are quite considerable, and deserve careful attention. In this fully illustrated course we examine, reflect and evaluate some of his most important contributions on love (which he sought because it brings ecstasy, fellowship and the prefiguring vision of the heaven that saints and poets have imagined); the search for knowledge, and truth (I have wished to understand the hearts of men... to know why the stars shine...); and the question of suffering (loneliness, poverty, and pain make a mockery of what human life should be). We also look carefully at the relationship between passion and philosophy. Details of this event may be subject to change. Please visit http://www.cce.usyd.edu.au/course/tpbr for more information or to register.

Official Website: http://www.cce.usyd.edu.au/course/tpbr