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And the Scientific Outlook: Religion, Science and Social Ethics in the Writings of Bertrand Russell, 1919-1938

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And the Scientific Outlook: Religion, Science and Social Ethics in the Writings of Bertrand Russell, 1919-1938 THE 'OLD SAVAGE' AND THE SCIENTIFIC OUTLOOK: RELIGION, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL ETHICS IN THE WRITINGS OF BERTRAND RUSSELL, 1919-1938 BY PETER HARVEY DENTON, B.A. (Hons.), M.A., M.A., M.Div. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Phiiosophy McMaster University O Copyright by Peter Harvey Denton, December 1996 National Library Bibliothèque nationale du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Senrices services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395, nie Wellington OitawaON K1AW OttawaON K1AW camda canada vour &v vam dhrsncs Our Ne Noire reMrBo0 The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant a la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microfom, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic fomats. la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. khesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thése ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. THE 'OLD SAVAGE' AND THE SCIENTIFIC OUTLOOK: RUSSELL 1919-38 Degree: Ph.D., 1996 Department of Religious Studies McMaster University. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Title: "The 'Old Savage' and the Scientific Outlook: Religion, Science and Social Ethics in the Writings of Bertrand Russell, 1919-1 938" By: Peter Harvey Denton, B.A. (Hons.), M.A., M.A., M.Div. Supervisor: Dr. Louis Greenspan Number of Pages: xxviii, 236 Abstract While the intellectual concerns of Bertrand Russell and his Anglo- American contemporaries were indisputably shaped by the Great War, there was also a general feeling of apprehension that made "the Next War" a psychological reality long before the outbreak of war in 1939. This gave a special urgency and a pragmatic cast to numerous discussions about the emerging scientific society in what 1 have termed "the interwar period." The intenvar period constitutes a more distinct period in the work of Bertrand Russell than has previously been acknowledged by scholars, particularly in terms of what he published on the topics of science, religion and social ethics between 1919 and 1938. Whatever his concern with philosophical questions, after 1918 Russell seemed compelled to address the practical question of "what ought we to do?" in a way that took him into the heart of the problem of trying to prevent the Next War. Throughout the interwar period Russell developed and expressed his ethical ideas as a "preacher," thus making both his delivery and the understanding of hs intended audience into crucial components of what he wrote. Russell's conception of science constitutes a link in hs published works between two significant themes found in Ang 10- American literature of the interwar period: First, the Great War demonstrated that a new social ethic appropriate to the scientific society was necessary, if hurnanity was to survive its potential for self-destruction in the modem age. 'Ihis was popularly referred to as the problem of "the old savage in the new civilization." Second, there was also considerable discussion on the relationship between science and religion during the interwar period as a result of "the philosophical implications of the new physics." On his part, Russell opposed the representation of science as technique alone, struggiing insteud to articulate a "moral outlook" in science, and objected to any reconciliation between science and religion. Because Russell understood the relationship between science and religion only in conflictual terms, however, his attempt to articulate a moral outlook in science was unsuccessful. By 1938 he had invalidated the association of science and metaphysics in a way that left him no other grounds than the utilitarian exercise of power on which to establish a modem social ethic. Individual moral progress might be accomplished, through education or whatever means, but there was no assurance1 ever be translated into the political or social structures of the new civilization. Acknowledgments In the process of completing my dissertation, 1 have accumulated a range of debts, both personal and intellectual, that need to be acknowledged. To my supervisory committee, Dr. Louis Greenspan, Dr. Ellen Badone and Dr. Richard A. Rempel, 1 owe much for their forbearance and patience, as 1 have wrestled with this topic over the past several years. Without Dr. Greenspan's wise direction, in particular, and his willingness to let me discover answers to a myriad of questions on my own, the end result would have been of less value to myself and to others who share my interest in Bertrand Russell and the interwar period. For assistance dong the way, many friends and colleagues have heard portions of the dissertation and conmbuted pieces of advice or comrnentary on it. My father-in-law, Dr. Jim Farris, has patiently combed uirough several drafts, correcting the infelicities in expression, and making judicious comrnents on the argument, as has rny brother-in-law, Kevin Farris. The Reverend Dr. Michael Farris, Dr. Hebron Ndlovu and Dr. David Steenberg gave the combined gift of friendship and a listening ear, and Dr. Ken Blackwell made time in his busy schedule for my various inquiries on aspects of Russell's life and thought. Anne Martin, Jean Cunnane, Erin Phillips, and Alison Miculan have also contributed a listening ear and helpful suggestions. To the late Dr. Ben Meyer, 1 owe a special debt for a chance meeting and the valuable advice which he gave as fieely to me as he did to so many of his own students. 1 acknowledge wi th gratitude four years of financial support from McMaster University, and an Ontario Graduate Scholarship in 1989-90. As the recipient of both the final Doctoral Grant Award of the Bertrand Russell Society in 1992, and generous financial assistance through the Carneron Doctoral Bursary Fund of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, 1 have experienced the kind of open-rninded support of my research of which Russell himself would have approved. My thanks go especially to the Reverend Tom Gemmell, for hs unwaverîng encouragement and friendship over the last ten years. To the people of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Carluke, and Knox Presbyterian Church, Binbrook, in whose rnidst this work was begun and (almost) cûmpleted, 1 owe a debt of gratitude for their understanding and acceptance, as 1juggled the roles of minister's wife, house husband and graduate student. For their love and practical support, I am especially grateful to Dr. John Morton; Bill and Diane Switzer; Darryl and Lynn Workman; Randy and Diane Randdl; Ton and J. P. Smit; Ann and Craig Dunham; and the extended Inksetter clan, in whose homes we always felt like family. The final draft was completed in Lethbridge, Alberta, on a study leave from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. My thanks also go to the Session of St. Andrew's, and to David and Fiona Miller; Lauren and Sheila Vander Woude; and Bill Axtell, for their encouragement over the last year. When reading Russell, 1 am always reminded that the significance of a thought is not measured by the nurnber of words in which it is expressed. The dedication of my dissertation to my wife, Mona, reflects this fact, because it would not have been begun, much less finished, without her. Bertie and his fnends have been our constant cornpanions for seven of the ten years of our married life. She and rny daughter, Ruth, would like to hear me talk about someone else now, for a change. vii To Mona, with love. A bbreviations The following abbreviations of Russell's works have been used in foomotes below. The editions used are cited in the Bibliography. Mm My Philosophical Developmen t Scep tEss Sceptical Essays FO Freedorn and Organization PIdlen ess In Praise of Idleness PIC Prospects of Industrial HWP The History of Western Civilization Ph ilosophy PI Political Ideals UL Mysticisrn and Logic AB Au tobiog raphy EGL Education and the Good R&S Religion and Science Life M&M Marriage and Mords mo Educa tion and the COH Conquest of Happiness Social Order Bol Bolshevism: Practice and AMind The Anafysis of Mind Theory AMatter The Analysis of Matter SO The ScientiBc Outlook Essence "The Essence of Icanrs Icarus or the Future of Science Religion" W;IB What I Believe FMW "The Free Man's PSR Principles of Social Worsh ip " Reconstruction OKEW Our Knowfedge of the Outline Outline of Philosophy Exte ma1 Wor ld PFM Portraits from Memory and Power Power: A New Social Other Essays Analysis WNC Why I am Not a CP Volumes of the Christian and Other Essays Collected Pape rs Table of Contents Acknowledgments v-vii Abbreviations lx Preface xi-xxviii Introduction 1 Chapter 1 Context: Science and the New Civilization Il Chapter 2 The Individual and the Machine 39 Chapter 3 Religion, Metaphysics and Meaning 75 Chapter 4 Physics and Philosophy 1O4 Chapter 5 Science, Religion and Reality 141 Chapter 6 Conclusion: Science and Power 185 Bibliography 207 Preface: The Great War and Russell's Retreat from Pythagoras With the distance that historical perspective affords, it is hard for us to comprehend the emotional and psychological aftermath of the Great War. The post-War period tends to be described in rems of the political, social and economic changes which distinguished the world of 1919 from that of 1914, or by lists of the changes wrought by science and technology that, in their tum, would shape a different society.
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