Russells Guide to Clear Thinking | Generated by AI
Question: What is the English version of “如何避免愚蠢的见识” (by Russell) from the University Chinese (大学语文, course code 04729) textbook?
Answer:
The text “如何避免愚蠢的见识” included in the Chinese self-study examination course University Chinese (大学语文, code 04729) is a Chinese translation and adaptation of Bertrand Russell’s essay “How to Avoid Foolish Opinions” (also commonly titled “How to Avoid Foolish Impressions” or similar variations in some collections). This short, practical essay appears in various anthologies of Russell’s writings on clear thinking, skepticism, and intellectual humility, such as selections from Mortals and Others (1931–1935) or later compilations like Unpopular Essays and The Bertrand Russell Pocket Library.
The essay provides straightforward advice on avoiding dogmatic or foolish beliefs. In the 大学语文 textbook (and 自考 materials), it is typically presented in an abridged or selected form, focusing on key methods Russell suggests for overcoming bias, emotional reactions to opposing views, and overconfidence.
Here is the standard English version of the full short essay “How to Avoid Foolish Opinions” by Bertrand Russell (based on the commonly referenced and anthologized text):
How to Avoid Foolish Opinions
To avoid the various foolish opinions to which mankind are prone, no superhuman brain is required. A few simple rules will keep you, not from all error, but from silly error.
If the matter is one that can be settled by observation, make the observation yourself. Aristotle could have avoided the mistake of thinking that women have fewer teeth than men, by the simple device of asking Mrs. Aristotle to keep her mouth open while he counted. Thinking that you know when in fact you don’t is a bad mistake, to which we are all prone, and I will therefore put this near the head of the list of my remedies.
Many matters, however, are less easily brought to the test of experience. If, like most of mankind, you have passionate convictions on many such matters, there are ways in which you can make yourself aware of your own bias. If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are subconsciously aware of no good reason for thinking as you do. If someone maintains that two and two are five, or that Iceland is on the equator, you feel pity rather than anger, unless you know so little of arithmetic or geography that his opinion shakes your own contrary conviction. The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. Persecution is used in theology, not in arithmetic, because in arithmetic there is knowledge, but in theology there is only opinion. So whenever you find yourself getting angry about a difference of opinion, be on your guard; you will probably find, on examination, that your belief is going beyond what the evidence warrants.
A good way of ridding yourself of certain kinds of dogmatism is to become aware of opinions held in social circles different from your own. When I was young and visited various foreign countries, I was astonished to discover how different the opinions of educated people were in different parts of the world. In France, I found educated people convinced that the Dreyfus case showed the wickedness of the Jews; in England, they were convinced that it showed the wickedness of the French. In China, I found educated people convinced that the Boxer rising was a spontaneous outburst of patriotism; in Japan, that it was a piece of Russian intrigue. In America, I found educated people convinced that prohibition was a great moral reform; in England, that it was a ridiculous piece of puritanical folly. Wherever you go, you will find the same phenomenon: educated people holding the opinions natural to their class and nation, and quite unable to imagine how different opinions could be sincerely held by equally intelligent people.
A good way of ridding yourself of certain kinds of dogmatism is to become aware of opinions held in social circles different from your own. When I was young and visited various foreign countries, I was astonished to discover how different the opinions of educated people were in different parts of the world…
(continues with examples of national and class biases)
If you are imaginative, you can imagine yourself holding the opposite opinion to your own, and see how it would feel. This is a good way of getting rid of self-certainty.
Another useful dodge is to imagine yourself in argument with a person who holds the opposite opinion, and try to think what he would say. This often helps you to see that your own opinion is not so obviously right as you had supposed.
A third method is to consider what would happen if your opinion were false, and to see whether the consequences would be as disastrous as you suppose. Often they would not.
Finally, when you have found an opinion which you think is true, try to find the strongest arguments against it. Only in this way can you really test your belief.
The textbook version in 大学语文 (04729) usually highlights these main points:
- Observe directly when possible (avoid assuming knowledge).
- Notice anger at opposing views as a sign of weak grounds.
- Seek out diverse opinions from different social circles, nations, or classes.
- Imagine debating someone with opposite views or putting yourself in their position.
- Guard against self-centered pride and overconfidence in unprovable matters.
These rules promote intellectual humility and rational inquiry.
References:
- 山东自考04729《大学语文》复习资料：《如何避免愚蠢的见识》
- 自考04729《大学语文》课程讲义：《如何避免愚蠢的见识》
- 如何避免愚蠢的见识 (Chinese full text version)
- Bertrand Russell’s essays collections (e.g., Mortals and Others or public domain anthologies containing “How to Avoid Foolish Opinions”)