russellian-j

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2975 ( Dec. 23, 2024)

The man who imagines a social system as a tree will have a different political outlook. A bad machine can be scrapped, and another put in its place. But if a tree is cut down, it is a long time before a new tree achieves the same strength and size. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 6: Constructiveness. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE06-080.HTM

a brief comment Trump's signature phrase is "You're fired!" It seems he believes that even someone he personally selected can simply be replaced with someone else if they face heavy public criticism or if he no longer likes them. Perhaps one could say, "The word 'reflection' doesn't exist in Trump's dictionary.

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2975j (Dec. 23, 2024)

　社会制度を樹木として想像する人は、異なる政治的見解を持つだろう。悪い機械は、スクラップにして、別の機械と取り替えることができる。しかし、樹木は伐採されれば、新しい木が前の木と同じ強さと大きさに達するまでには長い時間がかかる。 The man who imagines a social system as a tree will have a different political outlook. A bad machine can be scrapped, and another put in its place. But if a tree is cut down, it is a long time before a new tree achieves the same strength and size. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 6: Constructiveness. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE06-080.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　トランプの決まり文句は「fired!（お前は首だ！）」です。自分が選んだ人間でも、国民から批判が多くなったり、自分が気にいらなくなったりすれば、別の人物に交換すればよいだけだと思っているようです。「私（ = トランプ）の辞書には"反省"という言葉は載っていない」、といったところでしょうか？」。 Trump's signature phrase is "You're fired!" It seems he believes that even someone he personally selected can simply be replaced with someone else if they face heavy public criticism or if he no longer likes them. Perhaps one could say, "The word 'reflection' doesn't exist in Trump's dictionary.

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2974j (Dec. 22, 2024)

　我が子で苦労してきた（ことのある）人には、人命を尊重する気持ちが存在しやすい。より強い親としての愛情を��じさせるのは、親が子どもに対して引き受ける苦労である（親が子どもで苦労することである）。こうした苦労を避けている親の場合、親としての本能は多少とも萎縮し、ただ（親としての）責任感として残るだけである。 Respect for human life is likely to exist in any one who has taken trouble over his or her own children. It is the trouble we take over our children that elicits the stronger forms of parental affection; in those who avoid this trouble the parental instinct becomes more or less atrophied, and remains only as a sense of responsibility. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 6: Constructiveness. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE06-050.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　「国民の命を守る」とか「人命第一」とかいう言葉をくり返えす政治家がけっこういます。しかし、人間（国民）に対する愛情からではなく、政治家としての責任感からのみそのような言葉を鸚鵡のように繰り返しているように感じられることがけっこうあります。 　ラッセルの「より強い親としての愛情を生じさせるのは、親が子どもに対して引き受ける苦労である（親が子どもで苦労することである）」という発言は、示唆的に思えます。もちろん、政治家と国民との関係は親子関係ではないことは言うまでもありませんが・・・。 There are quite a few politicians who repeatedly use phrases like “protecting the lives of the people” or “putting human lives first.” However, it often feels as though they are parroting such words not out of genuine affection for the people but solely out of a sense of responsibility as politicians. Russell’s remark, “It is the trouble we take over our children that elicits the stronger forms of parental affection (it is by taking on the trouble for one’s children that stronger parental love is generated),” seems thought-provoking. Of course, it goes without saying that the relationship between politicians and citizens is not the same as that between parents and their children. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 6: Constructiveness. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE06-050.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　「国民の命を守る」とか「人命第一」とかいう言葉をくり返えす政治家がけっこういます。しかし、人間（国民）に対する愛情からではなく、政治家としての責任感からのみそのような言葉を鸚鵡のように繰り返しているように感じられることがけっこうあります。 　ラッセルの「より強い親としての愛情を生じさせるのは、親が子どもに対して引き受ける苦労である（親が子どもで苦労することである）」という発言は、示唆的に思えます。もちろん、政治家と国民との関係は親子関係ではないことは言うまでもありませんが・・・。 There are quite a few politicians who repeatedly use phrases like “protecting the lives of the people” or “putting human lives first.” However, it often feels as though they are parroting such words not out of genuine affection for the people but solely out of a sense of responsibility as politicians. Russell’s remark, “It is the trouble we take over our children that elicits the stronger forms of parental affection (it is by taking on the trouble for one’s children that stronger parental love is generated),” seems thought-provoking. Of course, it goes without saying that the relationship between politicians and citizens is not the same as that between parents and their children.

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2974 ( Dec. 22, 2024)

Respect for human life is likely to exist in any one who has taken trouble over his or her own children. It is the trouble we take over our children that elicits the stronger forms of parental affection; in those who avoid this trouble the parental instinct becomes more or less atrophied, and remains only as a sense of responsibility. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 6: Constructiveness. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE06-050.HTM

a brief comment There are quite a few politicians who repeatedly use phrases like “protecting the lives of the people” or “putting human lives first.” However, it often feels as though they are parroting such words not out of genuine affection for the people but solely out of a sense of responsibility as politicians. Russell’s remark, “It is the trouble we take over our children that elicits the stronger forms of parental affection (it is by taking on the trouble for one’s children that stronger parental love is generated),” seems thought-provoking. Of course, it goes without saying that the relationship between politicians and citizens is not the same as that between parents and their children.

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2973 ( Dec. 21, 2024)

I do not pretend that this is always the case with imaginative beliefs. Some of them have no great emotional content, but feel to the believer the sort of thing that one might expect. … Aristotle believed that the bite of the shrew-mouse is dangerous to horses, especially if the mouse is pregnant. … A considerable percentage of English people believe that the English are the Lost Ten Tribes. Instances of such beliefs could be multiplied indefinitely, but where they have no roots in some deep emotion, they are as a rule not socially important. Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, part II: The Conflict of Passions, chapter 4: Myth and Magic, n.4 More info.： https://russell-j.com/cool/47T-2_0404.htm

a brief comment This is not necessarily a section worth quoting, but I found the following exchange with ChatGPT interesting, so I decided to document it:

Me: You translated "imaginative beliefs" as "想像的な信念" (imaginative beliefs), but what types of beliefs are there besides "imaginative" ones? "Imaginative" is typically used to mean "creative" or "rich in imagination." Wouldn't "creative beliefs" sound odd? Doesn't the term carry some nuance of that kind?

ChatGPT: That’s an insightful observation. When translating "imaginative beliefs" as "想像的な信念," it’s important to consider what kinds of beliefs are being referred to and to carefully unpack the specific nuance of "imaginative" in this context. Let’s first outline possible categories of beliefs that might contrast with "imaginative beliefs" and then delve into the nuance of "imaginative" in this context.

Types of Beliefs: Beliefs (信念) can broadly be classified as follows:

Empirical Beliefs Beliefs based on experience or observation. For example, "Fire is hot."

Logical Beliefs Beliefs based on reasoning or logic. For instance, "All humans are mortal," which reflects universal truths.

Religious or Spiritual Beliefs Beliefs rooted in religious or spiritual frameworks. For example, "God exists." Imaginative or Fanciful Beliefs

Beliefs formed through imagination, intuition, or cultural background. For example, "The phases of the moon affect the weather."

Nuance of "Imaginative" "Imaginative" usually has a positive connotation, meaning "rich in imagination" or "creative." However, in this context, it seems to carry a slightly different nuance. Here’s how "imaginative beliefs" might be characterized in this passage:

Lack of Evidence: These beliefs lack empirical or logical grounding and are formed instead through personal intuition, cultural traditions, misunderstandings, or imagination. For example, the belief about shrew-mouse bites lacks scientific basis.

Unrealistic or Eccentric Nature: Beliefs such as "it is dangerous to leave the impression of your body on a bed" are peculiar or unrealistic from a modern rational perspective.

Cultural Influence and Apparent Naturalness: The phrase "feel to the believer the sort of thing that one might expect" suggests that "imaginative" carries the nuance of "beliefs that, while imaginative in origin, feel entirely natural to the person holding them."

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2973j (Dec. 21, 2024)

　私は、想像的な信念が常にそのようなもの（注：願望や恐怖に根付くもの）であると主張するつもりはない。その中には、特に大きな感情的な内容を持たず、信じる者にとっては「まあそうだろう」と思えるようなものもある。例えば、・・・アリストテレスは、トガリネズミの噛み傷が馬にとって危険であり、特にそのネズミが妊娠している場合には危険だと信じていた。・・・。また、相��数のイギリス人は、イギリス人が失われたイスラエルの十支族（の子孫）であると信じている。このような信念の例は無限に挙げることができるが、それらが深い感情に根ざしていない場合、通常は社会的に重要ではない。 I do not pretend that this is always the case with imaginative beliefs. Some of them have no great emotional content, but feel to the believer the sort of thing that one might expect. … Aristotle believed that the bite of the shrew-mouse is dangerous to horses, especially if the mouse is pregnant. … A considerable percentage of English people believe that the English are the Lost Ten Tribes. Instances of such beliefs could be multiplied indefinitely, but where they have no roots in some deep emotion, they are as a rule not socially important. Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, part II: The Conflict of Passions, chapter 4: Myth and Magic, n.4 More info.： https://russell-j.com/cool/47T-2_0404.htm

＜寸言＞ 　わざわざ引用するような部分ではないですが、次のChatGPTとのやりとりが面白かったので、採取してみました。

私： 「imaginative beliefs」を「想像的な信念」と訳していますが、信念には「想像的な」もの以外に、どういった信念がありますか？　imaginative は通常、「想像力に富んだ」といった意味で使われると思われます。「想像力に富んだ信念」というのはおかしいですが、何かそんなニュアンスは含まれていないでしょうか？

ChatGPT： 　鋭いご指摘ですね。「imaginative beliefs」を「想像的な信念」と訳す場合、その「想像的」という表現がどういう信念を指しているのか、具体的なニュアンスを考慮する必要があります。まず、「想像的な信念」に対比される可能性がある信念を整理したうえで、この文脈での "imaginative" のニュアンスを深掘りします。

　信念の種類について：信念（beliefs）は大きく以下のように分類できます：

実証的な信念（empirical beliefs） 　経験や観察に基づいた信念。たとえば、「火は熱い」という信念。

論理的な信念（logical beliefs） 　推論や論理に基づく信念。たとえば、「全ての人間は死ぬ」という普遍的な真理に関する信念。

宗教的・霊的信念（religious/spiritual beliefs） 　宗教や精神的な枠組みに基づいた信念。たとえば、「神が存在する」という信念。

想像的・空想的な信念（imaginative beliefs） 　想像や直感、文化的背景などによる信念。たとえば、「月の満ち欠けが天気に影響を与える」という信念。

"imaginative" のニュアンスについて

　"imaginative" には通常、「想像力に富んだ」や「創造的な」というポジティブな意味がありますが、この文脈では少し異なるニュアンスが含まれているようです。この文脈での "imaginative beliefs" は、以下のような特徴を持つと考えられます：

根拠の不確かさ 　これらの信念は実証的根拠や論理的根拠に欠け、むしろ個人の直感や文化的な伝承、誤解、あるいは想像力に基づいて形成されている。例として挙げられている信念（例：トガリネズミの噛み傷）には、科学的根拠がない。

非現実性・奇抜さ 「ベッドに体の跡を残すのは危険」といった内容には、現代的な合理性から見ると奇抜で非現実的な性質があります。

文化的影響や感覚の自然さ 「信じる人にとっては当然のように思える」という部分から、"imaginative" には「想像力に基づいたが、その人にとってはごく自然な信念」といったニュアンスがあることが読み取れます。

　翻訳の選択肢について

「想像的な信念」は直訳的ですが、日本語として少し違和感がある場合、以下のような訳が考えられます：

「空想的な信念」 　非現実的で、想像の���物として形成された信念を強調。

「非合理的な信念」 　実証や論理から外れた信念として、批判的なニュアンスを強調。

「想像に基づく信念」 　直訳に近い形で、想像の作用をニュートラルに表現。

「発想の産物としての信念」 「想像力に富む」という創造的なニュアンスを排除しつつ、発想の一部としての性質を捉える。（長いので後はカット！）//

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2972j (Dec. 20, 2024)

　英国の普通の上流階級の家庭では、鳥（猟鳥）を殺すことは非常に立派な行為と見なされ、戦争で人を殺すことは最も高貴な職業とされている（注：皮肉）。このような態度は,訓練されていない本能と一致する。つまり、それは,建設的な技術を身につけていないために、権力ヘの意志を無害な形に具現化できない人間の示す態度である。 In the ordinary English upper-class family, the killing of birds is considered highly creditable, and the killing of men in war is regarded as the noblest of professions. This attitude is in accordance with untrained instinct : it is that of men who possess no form of constructive skill, and are therefore unable to find any innocent embodiment of their will to power. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 6: Constructiveness. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE06-040.HTM ＜寸言＞ 　人を殺すことは、通常、ほとんどの人にとって忌むべきことです。従って、敵国の人間であっても、反撃しないと自分が殺されてしまうという特殊な状況でなければ、殺人を犯すことはありません。しかし、戦時においては、そのとても嫌な行為を、国や国民のために「あえて」や���ことは「愛国的」とされ、多くの政治家（特にその時の与党の政治家）が称揚します。そうして、戦争を忌避する者は非国民とされ、後ろ指をさされます。それは、現代においても変わっていません。 　なお、「鳥（猟鳥）」としたのは、日本人が小鳥（雀など）を猟銃で撃つことは残酷だ、と非難する英国人がいるからです。狩猟の対象となる鳥は、国によって異なります。みな、自分の都合の良い理屈付けをします。

Killing another person is, for most people, generally an abhorrent act. Therefore, even when dealing with individuals from an enemy nation, people do not commit murder unless placed in an extraordinary situation where failing to retaliate would mean their own death. However, during wartime, this highly unpleasant act, when done 'daringly' for the sake of one’s country or its people, is considered 'patriotic' and is often glorified by many politicians, particularly those in the ruling party at the time. As a result, those who oppose war are labeled as unpatriotic and are criticized and ostracized. This remains unchanged even in modern times. As for the term 'birds (game birds),' I included this clarification because there are British people who criticize the act of shooting small birds (such as sparrows) with hunting rifles as cruel. The types of birds considered hunting targets differ from country to country. Ultimately, everyone justifies their actions with reasoning that suits their own convenience.

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2972 ( Dec. 20, 2024)

In the ordinary English upper-class family, the killing of birds is considered highly creditable, and the killing of men in war is regarded as the noblest of professions. This attitude is in accordance with untrained instinct : it is that of men who possess no form of constructive skill, and are therefore unable to find any innocent embodiment of their will to power. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 6: Constructiveness. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE06-040.HTM

a brief comment Killing another person is, for most people, generally an abhorrent act. Therefore, even when dealing with individuals from an enemy nation, people do not commit murder unless placed in an extraordinary situation where failing to retaliate would mean their own death. However, during wartime, this highly unpleasant act, when done 'daringly' for the sake of one’s country or its people, is considered 'patriotic' and is often glorified by many politicians, particularly those in the ruling party at the time. As a result, those who oppose war are labeled as unpatriotic and are criticized and ostracized. This remains unchanged even in modern times. As for the term 'birds (game birds),' I included this clarification because there are British people who criticize the act of shooting small birds (such as sparrows) with hunting rifles as cruel. The types of birds considered hunting targets differ from country to country. Ultimately, everyone justifies their actions with reasoning that suits their own convenience.

[russellian-j]

ChatGPT や Google Gemini の有能さにはビックリします。両者とも成長途中であり、現在欠点である点も改良され続けるでしょうから、短絡的な評価は禁物です。私が使っているのは「無料版」です。今後、遊びながらいろいろ試してみることにします。 https://russell-j.com/affiliate/20241219_shoji-a01.html

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2971 ( Dec. 19, 2024)

We all like to effect something, but so far as the love of power is concerned we do not care what we effect. Broadly speaking, the more difficult the achievement the more it pleases us. Men like fly-fishing, because it is difficult ; they will not shoot a bird sitting, because it is easy. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 6: Constructiveness. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE06-010.HTM

a brief comment There is a saying that "Power corrupts."(note: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.") Russell's statement here seems to offer a glimpse into why that might be the case. For energetic individuals or those with a strong desire for power, it may be better to provide them with outlets to release their love of power in ways that do not harm others. But what kind of outlets could there be?

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2971j (Dec. 19 2024)

　私たちは皆、何かを達成すること（何かに影響力を及ぼすこと）を好むが、権力愛に関するかぎり、何を達成するかについて気にしない。おおざっぱに言えば、達成が困難であればあるほど達成の喜びはますます大きくなる。人はフライ・フィッシングを好むが、それは難しいからであり、木に止まっている鳥を撃とうとしないのは簡単であるからである。 We all like to effect something, but so far as the love of power is concerned we do not care what we effect. Broadly speaking, the more difficult the achievement the more it pleases us. Men like fly-fishing, because it is difficult ; they will not shoot a bird sitting, because it is easy. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 6: Constructiveness. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE06-010.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　「権力は必ず腐敗する」("Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."：アクトン卿の言葉)という格言がありますが、なぜ権力は腐敗するのか、ラッセルのこの発言で、その一端を理解することができそうです。エネルギーに溢れている人や権力志向の強い人には、他人に害を与えずに権力愛というエネルギーを発散できるものを用意してあげたほうがよさそうです。しかし、どんなものがあるでしょうか？ There is a saying that "Power corrupts."(note: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.") Russell's statement here seems to offer a glimpse into why that might be the case. For energetic individuals or those with a strong desire for power, it may be better to provide them with outlets to release their love of power in ways that do not harm others. But what kind of outlets could there be?

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2969j (Dec. 17 2024)

　ゲーム（競技）は協力することを教えると言われているが、実際には他人と争うような形で協力することを教えているにすぎない。これは戦争において必要とされる協力形態であり、産業や適切な社会関係において必要とされるものではない。科学は ― 経済においても国際政治においても ― 競争を協力に変えることを技術的に可能にしたが，科学は、同時に（戦争という形での）競争を従来よりもはるかに危険なものにしている。

They ( = Games) are said to teach co-operation, but in fact they only teach it in its competitive form. This is the form required in war, not in industry or in the right kind of social relations. Science has made it technically possible to substitute co-operation for competition, both in economics and in international politics, at the same time it has made competition (in the form of war) much more dangerous than it used to be. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 5: Play and fancy More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE05-080.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　人間（特に男性）には狩猟時代に培われた野蛮性が残っているのでしょうか？　ゲームにおいて野蛮性を解放することによって日常生活における野蛮性が少なくなるのであれば、それはよいことです。しかし、たとえば、格闘技を見て興奮し、触発され、実生活でもその野蛮性を発揮してしまう人もいます。 　それでも一般市民による犯罪はそれほど甚大な被害をもたらすことはありません。甚大な被害をもたらすのは権力者であり独裁者です。彼等は、多くの場合、「正義」の御旗のもとに、敵国や敵対者を武力でもって抑えつけようとします。 Do humans (especially men) still retain the savagery cultivated during the hunting era? If releasing this savagery through games leads to a reduction of it in daily life, then that is a good thing. However, some people, for example, get excited and inspired by watching combat sports and end up exhibiting their savagery in real life. Even so, crimes committed by ordinary citizens rarely cause significant harm. The ones who inflict immense harm are those in power and dictators. They often, under the banner of 'justice,' attempt to suppress enemy nations or adversaries through military force.

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2969 ( Dec. 17, 2024)

They ( = Games) are said to teach co-operation, but in fact they only teach it in its competitive form. This is the form required in war, not in industry or in the right kind of social relations. Science has made it technically possible to substitute co-operation for competition, both in economics and in international politics, at the same time it has made competition (in the form of war) much more dangerous than it used to be. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 5: Play and fancy More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE05-080.HTM

a brief comment Do humans (especially men) still retain the savagery cultivated during the hunting era? If releasing this savagery through games leads to a reduction of it in daily life, then that is a good thing. However, some people, for example, get excited and inspired by watching combat sports and end up exhibiting their savagery in real life. Even so, crimes committed by ordinary citizens rarely cause significant harm. The ones who inflict immense harm are those in power and dictators. They often, under the banner of 'justice,' attempt to suppress enemy nations or adversaries through military force.

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2968j (Dec. 16 2024)

　真理と事実とを混同する（区別しない）ことは危険な誤りである。私たちの人生は,事実によって支配されるだけではなく,希望によっても支配される。（即ち）事実の他は何も見ないような種類の正直さは人間の精神にとって牢獄である。夢が非難されるべきなのは、夢が現実を変えようとする努力の怠惰な代用品である場合のみである。 It is a dangerous error to confound truth with matter-of-fact. Our life is governed not only by facts, but by hopes ; the kind of truthfulness which sees nothing but facts is a prison for the human spirit. Dreams are only to be condemned when they are a lazy substitute for an effort to change reality. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 5: Play and fancy More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE05-060.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　現在があるのは過去があるからですが、過去に縛られたくないという気持ちも人間にはあります。通常は、「自分にとって、いずれの選択肢が最も都合がよいか？」ということを瞬時に判断し（計算し）、同じ人間が、時には「将来（未来）に目を向けよう」「前向きに考えよう」と言ったり、時には「事実を直視し、過去の失敗を繰り返さないようにしよう」「温故知新だ！」と言ったりします。 　子どもは夢に生き、大人は現実に生きるという傾向にならざるを得ません。しかし、政治家は政策を実現していかないといけない立場ですので、夢を多く語る政治家はあまり信用できなかったり、頼りにならなかったりします。もちろん、強権的な政治家も多くの国民にとって迷惑な存在です。石破総理はどういったタイプの政治家でしょうか？ The present exists because of the past, but humans also have a desire not to be bound by the past. Usually, people quickly judge (or calculate), ‘Which option is the most convenient for me?’ The same individuals may sometimes say, ‘Let’s focus on the future’ or ‘Let’s think positively,’ while at other times they might say, ‘Let’s face the facts and avoid repeating past mistakes,’ or ‘Learn from the past to discover new insights!’ Children tend to live in their dreams, while adults inevitably live in reality. However, since politicians are in a position where they must implement policies, those who talk too much about dreams often come across as unreliable or untrustworthy. Of course, authoritarian politicians are also a nuisance for many citizens. What type of politician do you think Prime Minister Ishiba would be?

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2968 ( Dec. 16, 2024)

It is a dangerous error to confound truth with matter-of-fact. Our life is governed not only by facts, but by hopes ; the kind of truthfulness which sees nothing but facts is a prison for the human spirit. Dreams are only to be condemned when they are a lazy substitute for an effort to change reality. Source: Bertrand Russell: On Education, especially in early childhood, 1926, Pt. 2： Education of character, chap. 5: Play and fancy More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/OE05-060.HTM

a brief comment The present exists because of the past, but humans also have a desire not to be bound by the past. Usually, people quickly judge (or calculate), ‘Which option is the most convenient for me?’ The same individuals may sometimes say, ‘Let’s focus on the future’ or ‘Let’s think positively,’ while at other times they might say, ‘Let’s face the facts and avoid repeating past mistakes,’ or ‘Learn from the past to discover new insights!’ Children tend to live in their dreams, while adults inevitably live in reality. However, since politicians are in a position where they must implement policies, those who talk too much about dreams often come across as unreliable or untrustworthy. Of course, authoritarian politicians are also a nuisance for many citizens. What type of politician do you think Prime Minister Ishiba would be?

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2967 ( Dec. 15, 2024)

It is not only in the arts and in the refining of human relations that imagination is valuable. In the purest and driest parts of science it is as necessary as in lyric poetry. I am saying this by way of preliminary, since a great part of what I shall have to say will be concerned with the misfortune and anguish that unfounded imaginative beliefs have brought upon mankind from the dawn of history to the present day. Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, part II: The Conflict of Passions, chapter 4: Myth and Magic, n.2 More info.： https://russell-j.com/cool/47T-2_0402.htm

a brief comment Everyone possesses some degree of thinking ability and imagination. The issue is the extent of these qualities. Very few people combine extraordinary logical thinking ability with rich imagination, like Einstein. What about Prime Minister Ishiba? As someone serving as Prime Minister, he must have thinking abilities above the average person. However, there are times when he says things that contradict what he said previously, or seems to forget what he has said. This suggests that not only is his "logical" thinking ability not particularly strong, but he also appears to have some issues with his memory. For a political leader, it is not enough to have thinking abilities alone; they also need the sensitivity to empathize with the weak. Furthermore, it is essential that this sensitivity is supported by imagination, the ability to envision such people even when they are not directly in front of them. However, Prime Minister Ishiba seems to lack this kind of imagination as well. What motivated Prime Minister Ishiba to become a politician? People who have witnessed many unfortunate individuals up close and decided to enter politics to help such people inspire hope. However, one-third of LDP members are hereditary politicians. If they have considered becoming a politician as "one of the promising career options" from a young age and only started thinking about what to do after entering politics, it is unlikely they will develop a strong passion for helping those in distress. Is it due to my lack of "sensitivity" or "imagination" that I feel most politicians fall into this category?

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2967j (Dec. 15 2024)

　想像力が価値を持つのは、芸術や人間関係の洗練においてだけではない。科学の最も純粋で無味乾燥な分野においても、それは叙情詩と同様に必要不可欠である。私はこれを前置きとして述べている。なぜなら、私が今後語る内容の大部分は、歴史の黎明期から現代に至るまで、根拠のない想像的信念が人類にもたらした不幸と苦悩に関係するものだからである。 It is not only in the arts and in the refining of human relations that imagination is valuable. In the purest and driest parts of science it is as necessary as in lyric poetry. I am saying this by way of preliminary, since a great part of what I shall have to say will be concerned with the misfortune and anguish that unfounded imaginative beliefs have brought upon mankind from the dawn of history to the present day. Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, part II: The Conflict of Passions, chapter 4: Myth and Magic, n.2 More info.： https://russell-j.com/cool/47T-2_0402.htm

＜寸言＞ 　誰もがある程度の思考能力と想像力とをあわせ持っています。問題はそれらの程度です。アインシュタインのように豊かな想像力とずば抜けた論理的思考能力を併せ持った人はそれほどいません。

　石破総理はどうでしょうか？　総理大臣を務めているのですから、思考能力は人並以上に持っているはずです。しかし、日が変わると前に言ったことと矛盾したことを言ったり、自分が言ったことを忘れてい���りすることがけっこうあります。従って、「論理的な」思考能力はあまり高くないだけでなく、記憶力にも少し心配なところがあります。

　為政者には、思考能力だけでなく、弱者を思いやる感性も必要です。そうして、その感性は、面前にそういった人々がいなくても思い浮かべることができる想像力が備わっていることが重要です。しかし、石破総理はその想像力もあまりないように思えてしまいます。

　石破総理はどういう思いで政治家になったのでしょうか？　身近で不幸な人々を多く目撃し、そういった人々を救いたいと思って政治家になった人には期待が持てます。しかし、自民党議員の１／３は世襲議員であり、若い時から政治家になることを「有力な就職先の一つ」として考え、政治家になってから何をやろうかと考え始めるようで��、苦しんでいる人々を救いたいという熱意は生まれてきません。

　そういった政治家が大部分のように思えるのは、私の「感受性」や「想像力」が劣っているせいでしょうか？

Everyone possesses some degree of thinking ability and imagination. The issue is the extent of these qualities. Very few people combine extraordinary logical thinking ability with rich imagination, like Einstein. What about Prime Minister Ishiba? As someone serving as Prime Minister, he must have thinking abilities above the average person. However, there are times when he says things that contradict what he said previously, or seems to forget what he has said. This suggests that not only is his "logical" thinking ability not particularly strong, but he also appears to have some issues with his memory. For a political leader, it is not enough to have thinking abilities alone; they also need the sensitivity to empathize with the weak. Furthermore, it is essential that this sensitivity is supported by imagination, the ability to envision such people even when they are not directly in front of them. However, Prime Minister Ishiba seems to lack this kind of imagination as well. What motivated Prime Minister Ishiba to become a politician? People who have witnessed many unfortunate individuals up close and decided to enter politics to help such people inspire hope. However, one-third of LDP members are hereditary politicians. If they have considered becoming a politician as "one of the promising career options" from a young age and only started thinking about what to do after entering politics, it is unlikely they will develop a strong passion for helping those in distress. Is it due to my lack of "sensitivity" or "imagination" that I feel most politicians fall into this category?