BRACERS Record Detail for 65415
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BR thanks Schuck for her letter of 1950/02/03 (record 65414). BR requests clarification on the audience for the public lecture on Theory of Knowledge, suggesting two different topics: "Is Knowledge Based on Data?" for a student audience and "When Is an Opinion Rational?" for a popular one. For the Philosophy and Politics lecture he requests some more direction and then outlines his current political stance: "You know that I support the present British government, that I passionately loathe the Soviet government, and that I hold a single world government within 20 years absolutely necessary if the world is to survive except as dead matter."
For the smaller meetings, he asks whether the Religion department will mind his "inorthodoxy". For the Mathematics small group he suggests "Is Mathematics Purely Linguistic?". For the Psychology department he reminds her that he is not a psychologist so it would have to be something non-technical, perhaps "What Desires are Politically Important?". BR is "struck by the morbid absence of a will to peace."
BR asks her to repeat any suggestions in her reply because he has no copy of the letter.
The letter and envelope have been annotated, presumably by Schuck.
Source: Mount Holyoke College Archives, MS 0841 74/4/3.
BR TO MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE / VICTORIA SCHUCK, 9 FEB. 1950
BRACERS 65415. ALS(X). Mount Holyoke College
Proofread by K. Blackwell
<letterhead>
Penralltgoch
Llan Festiniog
Merioneth
Feb. 9, 1950
Dear Dr. Schuck,1
Thank you for your letter of Feb. 3. As regards subjects: in your letter of Oct. 31 you suggest one lecture on theory of knowledge and one on “philosophy and politics”; I am not sure whether this was an error for “philosophy of politics”, but it comes to much the same.
I am not quite clear whether the public lectures are to be popular, or addressed to students of the subjects concerned. In the latter case I should suggest “Is knowledge based on data?” as one of the subjects. If popular, “When is an opinion rational?” Provided either pleases you.
I am in doubt about the philosophy–politics lecture. I don’t know at all what you would like. Could you give me some hint as to your preferences? You know that I support the present British government, that I passionately loathe the Soviet government, and that I hold a single world government within 20 years absolutely necessary if the world is to survive except as dead matter.
You suggest that one of the smaller meetings should be with the department of religion. Will they not mind my inorthodoxy? If they won’t, I have no objection.
If I am to speak to mathematicians, I suggest: “Is mathematics purely linguistic?”
I am not a psychologist, and if I am to speak to them it must be on something non-technical. Would you like “What desires are politically important?” I am struck by the morbid absence of a will to peace. And as soon as they have no active cause of discontent they are bored.
I am entirely open to suggestions, and shall be grateful for any help as to subjects.
It is very kind of you to say you will have me met at the airport; I am most grateful.
Do you think that if I stayed in America another week after the week with you, I could get two or three engagements to lecture elsewhere? My motive would be mainly financial.
I note that you do not want my visit announced till the early autumn. I will do my best, but cannot vouch for journalists.
I have no copy of this letter, so when you reply will you please repeat any suggested title you allude to?
Yours sincerely
Bertrand Russell.
- 1
envelope: Professor Victoria Schuck | Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley | Mass. | USA. Pmk. BLAENAU ? MERIONETH 10 FE 50.
