HOW TO ESCAPE INTELLECTUAL RUBBISH
BERTRAND RUSSELL
We humans tend to make silly errors and hold on to foolish opinions, these follies, according to
Russell is “Intellectual Rubbish.” Such rubbish can pollute the mind and lead to conflict and dispute.
Russell suggests some simple rules to rid ourselves of the Intellectual Rubbish. First of all, we must
make observations before arriving at conclusions. Aristotle, himself had made the silly mistake of
saying that women have fewer teeth. The belief that we know, can lead to wrong opinions. He says
that if he were to write a book on hedge hogs, he would verify all the known facts of the hedgehog’s
first. The next rule is to bring everything to the “test of experience.” Men have their own passionate
beliefs. If anyone’s opinion or belief makes us angry, Russell says that we should be on guard. We
get angry when “our belief goes beyond what evidence warrants.” He illustrates this by giving us
an example by saying that we do not get angry when one says two and two makes five simply
because his opinion does not shake our “contrary conviction”. We pity him rather than be angry
with him.
Another way of ridding ourselves of our dogmatism is that we should become aware of opinions
held in other social circles. Our reflections of things and matters should caution us because if we are
mad at others or consider them wicked they may think us to be so too. Russell states that he was
free from “insular prejudice” because he lived in mostly in countries outside his own. He also says
that becoming aware of other customs need not always be beneficial. Then he goes on to say that if
we have psychological imagination or dialogues with a ‘hypothetical opponent’ we can become less
dogmatic. It will be prudent to imagine an argument with a person having an altogether different
opinion.
Russell also wants us to be wary of opinions that flatter our self-esteem. To deal with the “human
conceit” it will be wise to remind ourselves that man’s life is brief and that there might be a greater
and superior beings out there in the Cosmos. Another source of error or foolish opinion is fear.
There are many forms of fear. Two ways of avoiding fear is by persuasion and practice. Persuading
that we are immune from disaster and practicing sheer courage are the ways suggested by Russell.
From the primitive times man has been protecting himself, out of fear by spells, incantations and
talismans. These practices have been followed across space and time. “Science has now lessened the
belief in magic.” Russell recollects Socrates’ and Plato’ views in analyzing how newer beliefs can
help in combating fear. Socrates expressed that in the next world he would live in the company of
gods and heroes. Plato was also not keen in promoting traditional myths about Hades because the
dead were unhappy there. On the contrary, Plato laid down cheerful views of the next world and
proposed that such views must be enforced by the State so that soldiers will willingly die in battles.
Short Questions
LITERARY MUSINGS- SEM III FCE NOTES Page 1
, 1. What simple rules does Russell suggest people follow in order to avoid making silly errors?
Some simple rules suggested by Bertrand Russell to follow in order to avoid silly errors are:
1) Make observations yourself. 2) Opinions must be brought the test of experience. 3) Be
weary of opinions. 4) Overcome fear, which is the main source of superstition and cruelty.
2. What suggestions by Russell may assist us in ridding ourselves of dogmatism?
Russell suggests that to rid ourselves of dogmatism we must become aware of opinions held
in other social circles, with whom or what we disagree, read newspaper belonging to a party
that is not yours and be cautious when opinions of others make you angry.
3. What are the origins of the pigtails worn by the Chinese?
The Manchus conquered China. They had the practice of wearing pigtails. The Chinese
simply followed the practice of the Manchus.
4. What is the difficulty one encounters in dealing with ‘the self esteem of man as man’? What
according to Russell is the only possible way of resolving it?
It is difficult to deal with the self esteem of man as man because we cannot dismiss any matter
with some “non-human mind.” The only possibility of resolving it is by believing that there
are beings superior to us in the Cosmos.
RITE OF SPRING
Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller outlines his obsession for gardening and enumerates the reasons for this obsession.
The irony is that he cannot give a convincing reason that would justify his endeavour. He even
states that efforts one put into growing vegetables is often not rewarded fully. He thinks that he
continues growing vegetables because the human race has been cultivating the earth for time
immemorial. Every year he decides that he would not cultivate the garden the next year, but his
resolve is shaken when the sun comes out and when he smells the fresh earth.
Maintaining a garden makes the author realize how delicate our planet is. Miller considers
gardening to be a moral exercise. It saves man from the disappointments of life and helps him
achieve something concrete. It also nurtures his parental instincts. Gardening is a moral occupation
because there is a vast difference between your expectations and the result.
The author also mentions his mother in law, a botanist who gives him discreet advice on gardening.
He declares that he cultivates his garden because an uncultivated garden is an unpleasant sight. The
sight of a beautiful vegetable garden reassures and uplifts the human mind. A garden is an
extension of oneself and here striving does not end.
The author reminds us that Adam, the first human, was a gardener. Only a gardener is capable of
being hopeful of success year after year of failures. And only human beings are capable of
continuously believing despite suffering so many setbacks.
The author ends the essay with a confession that it was written in December, when he was yearning
for the sun.
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences.
1. How is The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky related to the title of this essay?
LITERARY MUSINGS- SEM III FCE NOTES Page 2
, The Rite of Spring is a ballet and orchestral concert by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky.
It is a celebration of the beauty and fertility of the spring season. Arthur Miller’s essay is
likewise contemplation on the possibilities that the spring season brings.
2. Cite two examples from the essay that are evidences of the author’s love for gardening.
The author cultivates the garden even though he does not like vegetables. He also confesses
that buying them from the supermarket is easier than cultivating them. these instances show
his love for gardening.
3. What did the author do with black plastic in between the rows of plants and why did he
not continue using black plastic later?
He unrolled sheets of plastic between rows to keep the soil moist in dry times and weed-free.
He stopped using plastic because it looked so industrial and unromantic.
4. What advantages did using hay mulch over plastic have?
The author cut a lot of hay and rotten hay improved the composition of the soil. In addition
to that it came free and the author thought that it looked beautiful.
5. What attractions did certain gardeners derive from gardening, according to Miller?
The attractions of gardening are neurotic and moral. It helps people to do something concrete
and produce something tangible when life itself seems pointless. It develops a person’s
maternal and paternal instincts as the plants become the offspring.
6. How did the author’s mother-in-law, a botanist learn not to be “an outspoken truthful
woman”?
With advancing years and more lived experience, the author’s mother-in-law learned to
become less outspoken.
7. Why does the author continue to garden despite all complaints he has about the activity?
The author continues gardening because he cannot tolerate the sight of an uncultivated
garden.
8. What was it that was “far lovelier … than rows of hot dogs”?
A vegetable garden glistening in the sun and glittering with the dew is a sight far lovelier
than a row of hot dogs.
9. How are gardening and character building related, according to the author?
A gardener always lives with the hope of doing better with his garden the next year. It reflects
a person’s perseverance and the resilience to continue striving despite failures.
10. What is the significance of the author’s statement in conclusion that the essay “was written
on one of the coldest days in December”?
It tells the reader that the author wrote the essay on gardening during December when he
was forced to remain indoors. He could not cultivate his garden because of the frozen ground
and the lack of sun. The desire for summer was at its peak during this time and therefore he
has a lot of good things to say about gardening.
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
- MAYA ANGELOU
LITERARY MUSINGS- SEM III FCE NOTES Page 3
BERTRAND RUSSELL
We humans tend to make silly errors and hold on to foolish opinions, these follies, according to
Russell is “Intellectual Rubbish.” Such rubbish can pollute the mind and lead to conflict and dispute.
Russell suggests some simple rules to rid ourselves of the Intellectual Rubbish. First of all, we must
make observations before arriving at conclusions. Aristotle, himself had made the silly mistake of
saying that women have fewer teeth. The belief that we know, can lead to wrong opinions. He says
that if he were to write a book on hedge hogs, he would verify all the known facts of the hedgehog’s
first. The next rule is to bring everything to the “test of experience.” Men have their own passionate
beliefs. If anyone’s opinion or belief makes us angry, Russell says that we should be on guard. We
get angry when “our belief goes beyond what evidence warrants.” He illustrates this by giving us
an example by saying that we do not get angry when one says two and two makes five simply
because his opinion does not shake our “contrary conviction”. We pity him rather than be angry
with him.
Another way of ridding ourselves of our dogmatism is that we should become aware of opinions
held in other social circles. Our reflections of things and matters should caution us because if we are
mad at others or consider them wicked they may think us to be so too. Russell states that he was
free from “insular prejudice” because he lived in mostly in countries outside his own. He also says
that becoming aware of other customs need not always be beneficial. Then he goes on to say that if
we have psychological imagination or dialogues with a ‘hypothetical opponent’ we can become less
dogmatic. It will be prudent to imagine an argument with a person having an altogether different
opinion.
Russell also wants us to be wary of opinions that flatter our self-esteem. To deal with the “human
conceit” it will be wise to remind ourselves that man’s life is brief and that there might be a greater
and superior beings out there in the Cosmos. Another source of error or foolish opinion is fear.
There are many forms of fear. Two ways of avoiding fear is by persuasion and practice. Persuading
that we are immune from disaster and practicing sheer courage are the ways suggested by Russell.
From the primitive times man has been protecting himself, out of fear by spells, incantations and
talismans. These practices have been followed across space and time. “Science has now lessened the
belief in magic.” Russell recollects Socrates’ and Plato’ views in analyzing how newer beliefs can
help in combating fear. Socrates expressed that in the next world he would live in the company of
gods and heroes. Plato was also not keen in promoting traditional myths about Hades because the
dead were unhappy there. On the contrary, Plato laid down cheerful views of the next world and
proposed that such views must be enforced by the State so that soldiers will willingly die in battles.
Short Questions
LITERARY MUSINGS- SEM III FCE NOTES Page 1
, 1. What simple rules does Russell suggest people follow in order to avoid making silly errors?
Some simple rules suggested by Bertrand Russell to follow in order to avoid silly errors are:
1) Make observations yourself. 2) Opinions must be brought the test of experience. 3) Be
weary of opinions. 4) Overcome fear, which is the main source of superstition and cruelty.
2. What suggestions by Russell may assist us in ridding ourselves of dogmatism?
Russell suggests that to rid ourselves of dogmatism we must become aware of opinions held
in other social circles, with whom or what we disagree, read newspaper belonging to a party
that is not yours and be cautious when opinions of others make you angry.
3. What are the origins of the pigtails worn by the Chinese?
The Manchus conquered China. They had the practice of wearing pigtails. The Chinese
simply followed the practice of the Manchus.
4. What is the difficulty one encounters in dealing with ‘the self esteem of man as man’? What
according to Russell is the only possible way of resolving it?
It is difficult to deal with the self esteem of man as man because we cannot dismiss any matter
with some “non-human mind.” The only possibility of resolving it is by believing that there
are beings superior to us in the Cosmos.
RITE OF SPRING
Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller outlines his obsession for gardening and enumerates the reasons for this obsession.
The irony is that he cannot give a convincing reason that would justify his endeavour. He even
states that efforts one put into growing vegetables is often not rewarded fully. He thinks that he
continues growing vegetables because the human race has been cultivating the earth for time
immemorial. Every year he decides that he would not cultivate the garden the next year, but his
resolve is shaken when the sun comes out and when he smells the fresh earth.
Maintaining a garden makes the author realize how delicate our planet is. Miller considers
gardening to be a moral exercise. It saves man from the disappointments of life and helps him
achieve something concrete. It also nurtures his parental instincts. Gardening is a moral occupation
because there is a vast difference between your expectations and the result.
The author also mentions his mother in law, a botanist who gives him discreet advice on gardening.
He declares that he cultivates his garden because an uncultivated garden is an unpleasant sight. The
sight of a beautiful vegetable garden reassures and uplifts the human mind. A garden is an
extension of oneself and here striving does not end.
The author reminds us that Adam, the first human, was a gardener. Only a gardener is capable of
being hopeful of success year after year of failures. And only human beings are capable of
continuously believing despite suffering so many setbacks.
The author ends the essay with a confession that it was written in December, when he was yearning
for the sun.
Answer the following questions in two or three sentences.
1. How is The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky related to the title of this essay?
LITERARY MUSINGS- SEM III FCE NOTES Page 2
, The Rite of Spring is a ballet and orchestral concert by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky.
It is a celebration of the beauty and fertility of the spring season. Arthur Miller’s essay is
likewise contemplation on the possibilities that the spring season brings.
2. Cite two examples from the essay that are evidences of the author’s love for gardening.
The author cultivates the garden even though he does not like vegetables. He also confesses
that buying them from the supermarket is easier than cultivating them. these instances show
his love for gardening.
3. What did the author do with black plastic in between the rows of plants and why did he
not continue using black plastic later?
He unrolled sheets of plastic between rows to keep the soil moist in dry times and weed-free.
He stopped using plastic because it looked so industrial and unromantic.
4. What advantages did using hay mulch over plastic have?
The author cut a lot of hay and rotten hay improved the composition of the soil. In addition
to that it came free and the author thought that it looked beautiful.
5. What attractions did certain gardeners derive from gardening, according to Miller?
The attractions of gardening are neurotic and moral. It helps people to do something concrete
and produce something tangible when life itself seems pointless. It develops a person’s
maternal and paternal instincts as the plants become the offspring.
6. How did the author’s mother-in-law, a botanist learn not to be “an outspoken truthful
woman”?
With advancing years and more lived experience, the author’s mother-in-law learned to
become less outspoken.
7. Why does the author continue to garden despite all complaints he has about the activity?
The author continues gardening because he cannot tolerate the sight of an uncultivated
garden.
8. What was it that was “far lovelier … than rows of hot dogs”?
A vegetable garden glistening in the sun and glittering with the dew is a sight far lovelier
than a row of hot dogs.
9. How are gardening and character building related, according to the author?
A gardener always lives with the hope of doing better with his garden the next year. It reflects
a person’s perseverance and the resilience to continue striving despite failures.
10. What is the significance of the author’s statement in conclusion that the essay “was written
on one of the coldest days in December”?
It tells the reader that the author wrote the essay on gardening during December when he
was forced to remain indoors. He could not cultivate his garden because of the frozen ground
and the lack of sun. The desire for summer was at its peak during this time and therefore he
has a lot of good things to say about gardening.
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
- MAYA ANGELOU
LITERARY MUSINGS- SEM III FCE NOTES Page 3
