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What I Believe
- 3 Complete Essays on Religion
- Narrated by: Terrence Hardiman
- Length: 2 hrs and 25 mins
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What I Believe
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Summary
Remarkably relevant, beautifully written, and filled with wit and wisdom, these three essays by Bertrand Russell allow the listener to test the concepts of the good life, morality, the existence of God, Christianity, and human nature. "What I Believe" was used prominently in the 1940 New York court proceedings in which Russell was judicially declared "unfit" to teach philosophy at City College of New York. "Why I Am Not a Christian" concludes that churches throughout history have retarded progress and states that we should instead "look to our own efforts here below to make this world a fit place to live in." Finally, "A Free Man's Worship", perhaps the most famous single essay written by Russell, considers whether humans operate from free will.
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Critic reviews
"Russell is one of our time's brilliant spokesmen of rationality and humanity, a fearless champion of free speech and free thought." (The Swedish Academy, on awarding Bertrand Russell the Nobel Prize for Literature, 1950)
What listeners say about What I Believe
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- Santhi C.
- 23-02-23
Powerful argument wrapped in poetic language and black humour
Coherent and logical analysis of development, organisation and practice of religions using Christianity as a prototype; the last chapter does not follow with the same clarity and seems like a cut and paste!
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- A Webb
- 10-03-22
Still deeply insightful
Given this work is a century old (some parts older), it still feels like compulsory reading, despite inevitably dated details. His critique of nature-worship in particular is as on point now as it ever has been.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Judy Corstjens
- 18-03-13
Ahead of his time
I'm glad to think that Bertrand Russell lived until 1970 and therefore long enough to see some of the liberal reforms for which he argued, come to fruition. In these essays from the early part of the 20th Century, he is too coy even to use the word 'homosexuality', but makes oblique references as he argues for greater tolerance. In a way, these essays have dated because our society has (thankfully) moved on so much. In his day he would have been dynamite!
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3 people found this helpful
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- B. J. Mcdonnell
- 29-11-22
Thought provoking.
Well written and well narrated. Very thought provoking and well deliver philosophy on religions in general but Christianity in particular.
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- Seayeaitch
- 20-12-23
A persuasive view
The tenure of Russell s arguments is often linked to fictional characters to assist the reader in his , (Russells argument ), providing you take this in good faith then his logic and therefore his conclusions are compelling.
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- Anne-Marie Torp
- 05-04-22
Interesting and important!
Russel's clear and compassionate lines of thinking do indeed sound "inspired by love and guided by knowledge". Highly recommended!
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- LuizFernando Rodrigues
- 08-10-21
A great presentation of an excelleng book
Russell's genius finds a good voice here. Great acting and very clear presentation. As for the work itself, it's a must for philosophy of religion enthusiasts.
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- Jay Kwitee
- 06-12-23
Profound insights and philosophical reflections.
I really think Christians and people from any religious background should give it a listen.
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- Ziya Khan
- 19-10-22
enjoyable
very enjoyable listening, would recommend as it raises some great points and thought provoking
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- Allen K
- 10-02-22
👍🏾
succinct and brilliant summary of what he believes with well thought out reasoning and logic
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