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Edited on Mon Apr-21-08 10:54 AM by Jim__
""The knowledge exist by which universal happiness can be secured; ...". It's been a while since I read "Why I am not a Christian". Does Russell get any more specific about what this knowlege is that will lead to universal happiness?
I disagree with the points listed in the quote:
- "Religion prevents our children from having a rational education" - maybe, but I'm not at all convinced that a rational education leads to individual, nevermind universal, happiness.
- "religion prevents us from removing the fundamental causes of war" - maybe, but it's not only religion standing in the way. I think much of our evolutionary history stands in the way.
- "Religion prevents us from teaching the ethic of scientific co-operation in the place of old fierce doctrines of sin and punishment" - maybe. But teaching the ethic of scientific cooperation and actually successfully implementing this ethic are 2 very different things. Again. I think much of our evolutionary history stands in the way.
The problem is that life is full of (I believe) inescapable paradoxes. We're going to die. Science can lead to a significant extension to our expected lifetime, but, ultimately, I don't think it can resolve the issue. As we extend our lifetimes, people will have to be restricted as to the number of children they have - access to food (and other resources) does have limits, no matter how productive we become. For some people, limiting children is limiting happiness. Etc.
Do you accept Russell's contention? How do you see us achieving universal happiness?
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