This week’s provocative question is based upon a quote by Bertrand Russell, the British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, writer, essayist, social critic, political activist, and Nobel laureate. Whew, that’s a lot of cred. Anyway, Russell, who died in 1970, suggested that…
“The fundamental cause of the trouble is that, in the modern world, the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubts.”
Do you concur with Mr. Russell’s perspective? Why or why not?
Absolutely right. What seems sad to me is the fact that this statement is almost fifty years old and things are not the same, they have deteriorated much beyond this. Almost all the people (well, mostly all) who are in a position where others can and do listen to them, are very sure of themselves. But are they saying something intelligent, or wise or even rational? No, not at all.
As I see it, a foolish person doesn’t think ahead to see what will be the consequences of what they say or do. So they go ahead without fear and haven’t a thought to spare for the reaction of their deeds or words. A wise person will think, weigh and rethink what they are going to say or do. The results of their actions are important to them so they will hesitate to take any. And here lies the problem.
If you are interested in answering Fandango’s Provocative Question, you can do so at his blog, Fandango of This, That and the Other.
Written in response to;
#Keepitalive
#FPQ