Science and Apocalypse in Bertrand Russell: A Cultural Sociology

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) was a logician, philosopher, and one of the twentieth century's most visible public intellectuals. Science and Apocalypse in Bertrand Russell: A Cultural Sociology explores his changing views on the role of science and technology in society, critically examining his interpretations of mathematical logic, World War I, the metaphysics and epistemology of mind and matter, World War II, nuclear holocaust, and the Vietnam War. It invites the reader to consider the place of the techno-scientific sphere in human progress and decadence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) was a multifaceted individual, excelling as a logician, philosopher, and one of the most prominent public intellectuals of the twentieth century. His intellectual journey spanned a remarkable span, and his thoughts on the role of science and technology in society evolved over time. In their book, Science and Apocalypse in Bertrand Russell: A Cultural Sociology, Javier Pérez-Jara and Lino Camprubí delve into these three aspects, seamlessly intertwining them to trace Russell's shifting perspectives throughout his illustrious career.

Drawing upon cultural sociology, the history of science, and philosophy, Pérez-Jara and Camprubí offer a fresh and multidimensional analysis of the overarching themes of science, technology, utopia, and apocalypse. This comprehensive examination critically evaluates Russell's influential interpretations of various subjects, including mathematical logic, World War I, the metaphysics and epistemology of mind and matter, World War II, the nuclear holocaust, and the Vietnam War.

Through his captivating narratives, Russell portrayed humanity as a volatile entity, with different meta-adversaries serving as the match, such as religion, communism, and American imperialism. He believed that the only way to avert a looming global Holocaust was to adhere to his own salvific recipes. In exploring Russell's role in shaping the cultural perception of humanity's ultimate fate, Science and Apocalypse in Bertrand Russell invites readers to contemplate the significance of the techno-scientific sphere in human progress and decadence, both in our present era and in the distant future.

This thought-provoking book encourages readers to reflect on the evolving relationship between science, technology, and society and its potential impact on our collective destiny. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in delving into the complex and multifaceted world of Bertrand Russell and his intellectual legacy.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 227 x 162 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793618474