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As a philosopher, if I were speaking to a purely philosophic audience I should say that I ought to describe myself as an Agnostic, because I do not think that there is a conclusive argument by which one prove that there is not a God. On the other hand, if I am to convey the right impression to the ordinary man in the street I think that I ought to say that I am an Atheist, because, when I say that I cannot prove that there is not a God, I ought to add equally that I cannot prove that there are not the Homeric gods.

Bertrand Russell#158

PhilosophyReligionBeliefCommunicationAtheismProof

About this quote

What does it mean?
Russell sees himself as agnostic philosophically but presents as atheist to laypeople, noting lack of proof for both God and mythic gods.
In plain terms
He calls himself agnostic in theory but atheist in practice because neither God nor mythic gods can be proved.
What can you take from it?
Distinguish philosophical nuance from everyday communication.

Where it applies

  • public speaking
  • debate
  • education

Putting it to work

  • tailor explanations to audience expectations

Questions to consider

  • When is it appropriate to simplify complex views?
  • How does audience affect truth‑telling?

Another view

Simplifying may misrepresent nuanced positions.

More from Bertrand Russell

  1. When one admits that nothing is certain one must, I think, also admit that some things are much more nearly certain than others. It is much more nearly certain…

    Permalink to quote #157
  2. Change is one thing, progress is another. 'Change' is scientific, 'progress' is ethical; change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of controversy.

    Permalink to quote #159
  3. Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality.

    Permalink to quote #156

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