IDEAS THAT HAVE HELPED MANKIND BY

BERTRAND RUSSEL SUMMARY & ANALYSIS

Bertrand Russell is a well-known British philosopher and a symbolic character in
the analytic movement in Anglo-American philosophy. He is also known as a
logician and social reformer, and a Nobel Prize winner for Literature in 1950. He
wrote numerous books and huge numbers of articles. His subject matters include
social, political and moral issues. He is preeminently known as a promoter of
peace.

Ideas that have Helped mankind is an expository essay in which Russell gives a
detailed account of the ideas that have helped mankind in pre-historic time and
historic time. This essay is one of Russell’s unpopular essays.

Russell begins the essay, Ideas that have Helped Mankind, by asking straight six
questions that indispensable to outlining what would be supportive to mankind.
The six questions are:

“Are mankind helped …….. friendly with one another?” (Russell)

Russell explains each one the question one after another in detail. The very first
idea in pre-historic time which helped man, according to the author, is the increase
in numbers. There is a time when men were a rare species on the planet. They
were afraid of giant beasts; along with difficulty in sustenance. The increase in
numbers benefited them a lot in terms of safety.

Early humans were more like animals living like beasts: cloth less, and obtaining
food by killing other animals. However, with the passage of time, their way of
living changes and they become less like animals. The two factors that bring
about this change are the “congenital skills” and the “forethought” (thinking about
the future). The fact, nevertheless, is that it is not because of the congenital skills
that human progress but because of acquired skills.

The author is not sure about the in what way happiness benefited the mankind.
Though the foresightedness of man helped them in many ways; it has harmed them
in an equal manner. The man is always in fear of upcoming disasters, and this fear
of the future make them less happy, says the writer. According to Russell, facing
the calamity is not that much lethal as worrying about it is.
A man is more exposed to various experiences in their life than animals. This all
because of different intellect from other species of its kind. Their brainpower,
consequently, empowers them to enjoy a greater diversity of experiences.

The increase in knowledge with the passage of time helped the man to progress. It

is on the basis of the amount of knowledge that humans are superior to other
species.

Russell, furthermore, point out toward how the development of civilization has

helped mankind throughout evolution. To him, the civilization told the human to
be more kind towards other fellow beings as compared to animals. A sense of love,
care and helped aroused in the man with the development of civilization and this
benefited the man in term of progress.

Apart from these above-mentioned elements, Russell points out ideas during the
pre-historic time and the historic time that have helped mankind.

Pre-historic Time ideas:

Ideas that have helped mankind during pre-historic time are as follows.

1. The invention of language is the most important as well as difficult step.

The exact stage during which language developed is not known, however,
without language it would be impossible for any generation to develop.
2. The second step is the utilization of fire. With the help of fire humans and
other animals keep themselves warm and cook food.
3. Another great step was taming of domestic animals which provide food
and nutrition to man.
4. Along with the domestication of animals, the human need for green
vegetables leads to the invention of This invention was not easy as it
involves the huge sacrifice of humans.
5. The last but not the least is the development of the art of writing. It is, too,
like writing developed gradually. First pictures and signs were used to
convey a message. However, with the passage of time alphabets evolved.

Historic Time ideas:

Russell continues to contemplate the development accomplished by men in historic

times. He splits the ideas into two types: ideas about knowledge and technique and
the ideas that are concerned with morals and politics.
  Development In Mathematics and Astronomy:

In Babylonia, in ancient times, the important steps about mathematics and

astronomy were taken by Greeks. They acquire knowledge from the civilized
nations like Egyptians. Whatever were offered by Egyptians were immediately
assimilated by Greeks. The Greeks used mathematics, not in the way it is used
nowadays. They used it for pleasure and luxury, not for business. Greeks also
made huge progress in astronomy as well but there was no practical application of
astronomy until it becomes associated with astrology. Archimedes and Aristarchus
of Samos are one of the greatest mathematician and astronomer of the antiquity,
respectively. The Greeks developed the custom of communicating natural laws in
mathematical terms.

 Beneficial Ideas Contributed during 17th Century by Scientists.

During the 17th century, Galileo, Descartes, Newton, and Leibniz are the most
prominent figures who made huge developments. All modern scientific
discoveries, with the exception of an atomic bomb, are based on old classical
principles of Galileo and Newton. The undercurrents of Galileo and Newton rest
upon two new principles and a new technique. One of the principles is the law of
inertia which states that every body continues its state of rest or uniform motion
unless a force is applied on it.

The science of the 17th century made it clear that if we wish to understand the
universe; we should deal with nature without any biasness.

 The Theory of Evolution:

Geology and the Darwin theory of evolution put a real blow on the face of severe
conventional religious belief about the evolution of mankind. Russell says that
science proves the soul to be useless. He is not sure whether a person has a soul or
not, however, if it exists it has no role.

 The Moral and Political Ideas:

According to Russell, moral and political ideas belongs to the second class of
historic ideas that have helped mankind. The progress in science and technology,
according to Russell, possibly will merely upsurge the extent of the calamity that
an exploitation of ability can bring about. For example, the clash between Muslims
and Jews for the control of Palestine, due to political bigotry, can cause the world
war and by the use of an atomic weapon; they will destroy the whole world.
Russell gives a sound, justified warning to the mankind. As far as knowledge and
technology is concerned, humans have developed a lot in this field. However,
when we speak of morality particularly political morality, no such development is
made. There is unconditionally on no account any sensation in any sector of the
world population of the unity of menfolk; the humans are divided into varied
groups and communities, and every community thinks itself more vital as compare
to others. The ideas of nationalism were not that widespread and strong as it is now
and it narrows the mentality of man. The realm of the world proposes the vision of
a dynasty alienated against itself. An objective of a world-government is by way of
inaccessible from the thoughts of individuals as the far planets in the solar system.
The mankind must dedicate some concerns towards moral and political
development, if it has to survive.

 The Idea of Comradeship of Man:

Amongst the philosophies that have benefited men in the moral domain is the idea
of the comradeship of humans. This idea owed its major power to a certain
political progress.  This idea was invented by the Stoics. This idea was reinforced
by Buddhism and Christianity, consequently. Christianity played a huge role in
lessening the miseries of the slaves. They established hospitals and charity schools
on a broad scale. Still, a huge figure of Christians is unsuccessful to dwell up to the
principles that are promoted by their conviction.

The idea of brotherhood among humans is among the important ideas that have
benefited the moral development of mankind, however, to some people this idea
still doesn’t hold upon some minds. This is because of the wide diversity among
people that resulted in nations. We approve Russell concept of the brotherhood that
it helped a lot in development of mankind, yet is not capable of preventing world
wars.

 The Idea of Democracy and Liberty:

The concepts of equality, fraternity, and liberty have helped mankind to a large
extent. The roots of all these concepts lie in religion. Religious toleration provides
a platform for individual liberty to enter into practical politics. John Locke is
considered one of the supreme supporter of liberty in the 17th century. He tried his
best to settle the individual liberty with constitutional control. Law and
government are other extraordinary concepts in the politics that have helped
mankind. The Government, of the two, is more important. The Government can be
well-defined by means of the combined force of a public. It is a force which
enables the control of citizens and to struggle against the pressure from overseas
States. In order to maintain peace in a state of war or when there is a danger of
war, the government seems to have greater control over private citizens. At the
charge of citizens, governments intensify their power. In the early times, the kings
had misused this political powers but nowadays, there is a complete check on
government which doesn’t allow the government to misuse this power. This is
achieved through democracy. In democracy, government is run on the desire of
people. In addition to, in democratic states, the constitution allows freedom of
speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of movement. A democratic State
distinguishes from a police State where individuals are controlled by governments
and there is no freedom.

 Government:

Russell has progressive views about government. The approach that he adopted to
discuss government is quite pragmatic. Those who are hard-edge socialist will
never agree with Russell’s ideas of liberty and democracy. According to Russell,
democracy offers the freedom that is very essential for the welfare and bliss of
mankind. While on the other hand, a totalitarian system of government takes all
over into their hands and treat the people as their subjects. No country can develop
morally and on scientific grounds in such a system.

Russell finally proposes an idea that may benefit the mankind to a great extent in
the coming future. The idea is of one single government for the whole world. To
Russell, the upcoming time for mankind would be gloomy if the idea or single
government is not put into practice. According to Russell, nowadays world faces
unprecedented problems, and human are left with only two substitutes: one is that
man should go back ancient times as a consequence of obliteration of civilization
or they should agree upon establishing a single international government. A new
period of development and progress of mankind with start in case a new
international government is formed. The United States and the Soviet Unions,
nowadays, are considered to be truly independent states. A big step, for the welfare
of mankind, on the mutual agreement, to convert two independent states to one,
should be taken for establishing peace in the world.

Previously Russell seems to determine about the idea of international government.

But now to him, the idea seems to be wholly impractical. The world is divided into
more than one hundred and fifty states and each state have their own identity. The
unity and agreement on a large scale of international government are questionable.
Even if we only consider the two independent states; would they agree to form one
international government?

According to Russell, when he wrote this essay, the world in coming twenty to
thirty years will either abolish itself or will establish by establishing an
international government. Neither of his prediction comes true. Peace still prevails
in the world and in the future there would be no need of establishing world-
government.
Ideas that have harmed mankind
An example from the past by Russell
In ancient intervals, most of them passed away due to food shortages. Due to
the deficiency of food, everything got expensive. At that time, merely high
proficient folks could collect the grains. No one of the elite or middle class
presented them bread and taken charge of them. The writer compares this old
existed cause with the current phase of the globe that nowadays famine also
exists in several areas of the earth due to acquiring a lack of technologies and
facilities there. Whereas today’s famine can be controlled within the influence of
other natural resources like through the appliance of humanitarian aiding,
rebuilding communities, strengthening local food system resilience, and also
through concentrating on the ideas of long-term financial strategies

 Wrong Religious dogmas:

The superstitions that are connected to religion has harmed the mankind.
For instance, it was thought the sacrifice of human would mend the crops;
afterward, a religious belief that the oppressed people should be eradicated
completely. The cows and sheep, even, were not secure. The Christian
saint believed a superstition that all the pagans would be imperiled to
everlasting torments after their death.

Consequently, all the saints of this belief refrained themselves from the
pleasures of the world. They establish their gratification in the belief that the
ones who didn’t have alike spiritual beliefs to them would experience
inexpressible torments in the hell. This Christian belief, in modern times,
acquired a political form. The Nazis of Germany and the Communist of
Russia commanded a great amount of work and altruism from their
admirers on the fact that the one who didn’t obey them would be
discharged. These sort of political dogmas that are based on absurd
religious beliefs directed to substantial harassment and misery.




  The faith in Enchantments:

Russell mentions another wrong concept that has harmed the mankind
significantly is the importance every individual assigns to himself. The belief
that every misfortune happened to us is because of the intention of others
and to this we create any kind of superstitions to describe our evil fortune.
The black magic and witchcraft is the invention of this state of mind.

Russell effectively illustrated the various ideas, coining from religion that
has harmed mankind. In religion, no doubt, there are dogmas that in reality
are just superstitions and inflicted excessive miseries in the world. The
historic example, illustrated by Russell, is quite authentic. The Christians
attitude toward the pagans is justified by Russell when he quoted Bible
which claims: “thou shall not suffer a witch to live”. This shows that the
punishments inflicted upon the people who don’t believe in punishing the
witches are impartial. Russell, time and again, provides evidence from real
life and from literature to prove his point. The rational ones between us are
by this time conscious that technical discoveries have chased away many
illogical beliefs associated with religion. But if a great majority even of
educated people carry on to grasp gullible dogmas, then, it shows their
reluctance to be educated.

 Jealousy:

Another source, besides religion, that causes false beliefs is jealousy. We

often heard a proverb regarding women jealousy, but jealousy not only
prevails among women but among men as well. The men jealousy is
particular to their official circle. This envy becomes tremendous when
prevails among nations and dominates the attitudes of people for each
other. Jealousy among the nations may cause the misunderstanding of
financial interest of one country. In modern time, a false concept or
philosophy prevails among the nations that the economic interest of one
nation will result in devastations of others. This untruthful faith crops
worldwide revulsions and conflicts and therefore lead to confrontation.

Russell, by adopting a philosophical approach, suggests that the world

wars in the past are deep-rooted as the envy in human hearts. He
illustrates that the competition among the “butchers” and the “bakers” and
their feelings of envy made them only concentrate upon their opponent,
forgetting the altogether prosperity through their customers.
 Pride:

Another urge that gives rise to politically harmful dogmas is pride. The pride
in nationality, the pride in sex, the pride in class, the pride in race, and the
pride in creed are all sorts of pride that we have and are very dangerous. It
was time that English people were thought to be inherently superior to
French nations. Alike feeling of superiority valued other nations as well. For
Russell, the superiority of race is more deterrent than that on national pride.
The aim of education should be to eliminate the pride in races and creeds.
Another concept that has harmed mankind is the notion that men are
superior to women in all respects. Men claim themselves to be more
rational, more imaginative, and less influenced by emotions than that of
women. This dominance in sex has great influence upon married life.
Husband, being superior to wife, treat her wife like slaves, considering
themselves to be masters.

The pride in class perseveres even in America where all men are

considered to be equal; in theory. As far as the disparities of mammon will
last, the vanity in classes will stay. Russell points out towards England, a
country where discrimination of wealth is less evident and claims another
sort of arrogance among people, i.e. the pride of class. According to
Russell, by all of these various forms of pride, a “grand” feeling arose in
people. And this feeling, on one hand, makes people happy; but, on the
other hand, all these irrational, false, misleading feelings of superiority roots
the destruction of mankind.

 Imagining Oneself Exceptional to God:

The other harmful belief of mankind that Russell mentions in his essay is
people consider themselves more special to the God. The superiority
complex of a nation leads them to think themselves as the exceptional
creator of God and they are chosen by Him to carry out His tenacity. For
example, the authors speak of Muslim’s obsessive faith that each warriors
dying in the fight for his faith would go straight to heaven. Likewise,
Cromwell believed himself to be chosen by divine will for overpowering
Catholics. The Marxist, in the 20th century, believed themselves to be
appointed by God for guaranteeing economic fairness; on the other hand,
Hegel communicated that “dialectic” is the root cause of giving supremacy
to Germany. Marx contradicted the Hegel’s point of view and provides that
superiority is not of Germany but of the working class. Russell concluded
this false belief of superiority to God by illustrating: “Most of the greatest
evils that man has inflicted upon man have come through people feeling
quite certain about something which, in fact, was false”.

 Russell Showing Himself as Rival of Dogmatism:

Russell, in the concluding paragraphs, shows himself as a sturdy of

dogmatism. He ironically and satirically illustrates the tenacious and narrow
beliefs of different kinds of people. He harshly scorns those who ponder
themselves to be exceptional creatures of God and are appointed by Him
to do special jobs. Russell shows himself to be a man of substantial ideas,
not committed to any creed, nor obsessive beliefs. He is even not
obsessive about democracy that is considered as the best form of
government. He illustrates that a Democrat doesn’t believe in the
democracy as the best form of government. Russell points towards those
who lack moral potentials and the political leadership essential for the
governmental organizations. Russell suggested the international
government as the best form of government for preventing wars.