Thinker

Bertrand Russell

4 essays where Bertrand Russell sits on the council. Bertrand weighs in on selfishness, desire, ambition. Read what Bertrand would tell you.

View in Thinker Directory →


Ethics

Is It Wrong to Want Something Only for Yourself?

Three thinkers on wanting things for yourself. Russell says self-absorption is where misery begins. Hurston says claiming what you want is not indulgence. Spinoza says first understand the wanting.

Bertrand RussellZora Neale HurstonBaruch Spinozaselfishnessdesire

Career

Should I Work Harder or Am I Working on the Wrong Thing?

Three thinkers on effort and direction. Maslow asks if the work serves what you could become. Russell says effort may be overvalued. Chekhov says state the problem correctly first.

Abraham MaslowBertrand RussellAnton ChekhovAmbitionMeaningExcellence

Loss

How Do You Keep Going When the Thing That Gave You Purpose Is Gone?

Three thinkers on lost purpose. Baldwin says face what happened fully. Russell says expand what you care about. Confucius says begin a practice before you feel ready.

James BaldwinBertrand RussellConfuciusPurposeResilienceMeaning

Ethics

When Is It Right to Break a Promise?

Three thinkers on broken promises. Russell says logic decides. Du Bois says justice overrides. Austen says character is what you do when keeping your word costs.

Bertrand RussellW.E.B. Du BoisJane AustenIntegrityCommitment

Also in these essays

Abraham Maslow Anton Chekhov Baruch Spinoza Confucius James Baldwin Jane Austen W.E.B. Du Bois Zora Neale Hurston Ambition Commitment Excellence Integrity Meaning Purpose Resilience desire selfishness

Begin

Bring your situation to Consilium.

Describe what is happening, what you have tried, and what frightens you most. Your council will be assembled and your brief delivered within 48 hours.

Begin your consultation →

One consultation. No subscription.