Philosophical Essays

Bertrand Russell wrote most of his "Philosophical Essays" during the first decade of this century, a period when he was at the height of his creative energy in the realms of philosophy and mathematics. Fifty-five years later, in re-issuing the book, Russell replaced two of the essays that were available elsewhere, but made no changes to the others despite changes in his own opinions and beliefs. These seven essays display Russell's incisiveness and brilliance of exposition in the examination of ethical subjects and the nature of truth. The essays mark an important stage in the evolution of Russell's thought, and are designed to appeal to readers with an interest in philosophical questions who do not have a background in philosophy.