3 quotations linked to Political Ideals by or associated with Bertrand Russell, with source notes, explanations and related topics.
Creative and possessive impulses, individuality, freedom, self-respect, education, institutions and conditions for a good individual life.
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“We do not want all men to be alike.”
Human development should not be forced into one standardized mold because individuality and creative difference are themselves goods worth protecting.
Source note: Political Ideals, early discussion of individual development. Russell immediately criticizes the bad teacher who imposes one opinion and produces pupils giving the same answer to doubtful questions.
“A certain kind of self-respect or native pride is necessary to a good life.”
Russell treats a durable sense of inward worth as necessary for living without surrendering completely to defeat, pressure or external judgment.
Source note: Political Ideals, discussion of what social institutions should make possible for individuals. Russell immediately connects self-respect with courage, hope and living by the best within oneself despite obstacles.
“The best life is the one in which the creative impulses play the largest part and the possessive impulses the smallest.”
Russell ranks creative activity above possession, presenting a good life as one organized around making, developing and contributing rather than accumulating.
Source note: Political Ideals, opening chapter. Project Gutenberg #4776. The claim is part of Russell’s political philosophy about institutions that encourage creative rather than possessive impulses.