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.
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
Putting it to work
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
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 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 Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality.
Permalink to quote #156
Related quotes
I do know that there are some things that exist in this world that you just can't prove. That could be the case with God or whoever might be up there, but I do…
Katie MeluaKatie Melua quote #7 If I understand Dirac correctly, his meaning is this: there is no God, and Dirac is his Prophet.
Paul DiracPaul Dirac quote #9 Pantheism is said... to be merely atheism in disguise.
Miguel de UnamunoMiguel de Unamuno quote #14