Bertrand Russell to Oswald Mosley (1962)
7 hours ago
- #Bertrand Russell
- #Intellectual History
- #Fascism
- Bertrand Russell was a multifaceted intellectual known for his contributions to philosophy, mathematics, logic, activism, history, and literature.
- At 89 years old, Russell wrote a principled letter to Sir Oswald Mosley, the founder of the British Union of Fascists, expressing his moral opposition to fascism.
- Russell found Mosley's ethos alien and repellent, opposing fascism's cruel bigotry, compulsive violence, and sadistic persecution.
- He stated that their emotional universes were fundamentally opposed, making any association between them unfruitful and insincere.
- Russell emphasized his conviction was not out of rudeness but based on his values regarding human experience and achievement.