The Theory of Atomism

Analytical Essay # 103798

Philosophy > Logic
Philosophy > Metaphysics

This paper examines Bertrand Russell's theory of atomism.

2,782 words () | 8 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper explains Bertrand Russel's theory of atomism, which emphasizes logical analysis and its consequences for metaphysics. The paper describes how Russel explains the structure of the external world and discusses how pluralism, rather than monism, is the logical force behind the philosophy. The paper also looks at the many arguments against Russell's theory of logical atomism.

Outline:
Introduction
The Structure of the World
Russell's Logical Atomism
Logical Atomism - Realistically Logical?
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Bertrand Russell, author of the theory of atomism, was a philosopher whose emphasis was primarily on logical analysis and its consequences for metaphysics. The traditional philosophical problem of the external world, which is based on the fact that external qualities can only be drawn inferentially, was explained by Russell (1910) as a distinction between "knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description" (Irvine, 2003). Russell's 1918 work on logical atomism was based on the argument that the world is comprised of logical atoms, which he described as "little patches of colour", and their properties (ibid). Together these properties, according to Russell, form the atomic facts which are thus combined to create logically complex objects. Therefore what is normally explained as inferred entities, such as enduring physical objects, are actually logical constructions created from immediate entities of sensation, which Russell identified as "sensibilia" (ibid)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Charles, R. (1956). Logic and Knowledge: Bertrand Russell's 1901-1950 Essays. New York: The MacMillan Company.
Ghandchi, S. (2006). Pluralism and Russell's Logical Atomism. Iranscope Magazine. Retrieved April 16, 2007 from http://www.ghandchi.com/447-RussellPluralismEng.htm#1.
Irvine, A. D. (2003). Bertrand Russell. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved April 16, 2007 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/russell/.
Logical Atomism. (1997). Nordic Journal of Philosophical Logic, Vol. 2, 1, Scandinavian University Press. (http://www.hf.uio.no/ifikk/filosofi/njpl/vol2no1/models/node10.html#624)
Russell, Bertrand (1945). A History of Western Philosophy. Simon and Schuster: New York.