Religion and Science
2. The Views of Bertrand Russell
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is certain equations giving abstract properties
of their changes. But as to what it is that
changes, and what it changes from and to —
as to this, physics is silent.
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Russell concludes the chapter, “Non-Demonstrable
Inference” with the caution that “— there is no such
claim to certainty as has, too often and too uselessly,
been made by rash philosophers” (p. 207).
When the accepted philosophical and scientific
position is such that we can only observe external
appearances without it being possible for us to learn
the intrinsic character of things directly, there are
only two ways open to us: either to take refuge in
skepticism or to admit the truth of religion. Since
research has shown that direct knowledge is
impossible, it would appear that one must resign
oneself to saying: “I do not know anything.” But
Russell does not accept this position. He asserts that
the inference which is based on external appearance
regarding the intrinsic character of things is also
valid. In so saying, he arrives close to the very
frontiers of religion, which also holds that man,
owing to his limited sense perceptions, cannot
