"No; we have been as usual asking the wrong question. It does not matter a hoot what the mockingbird on the chimney is singing. The real and proper question is: Why is it beautiful?"
- Bertrand Russell
About this Quote
In this quote, Bertrand Russell prompts us to move our focus from the shallow to the extensive. By mentioning that "we have actually been as usual asking the wrong concern," Russell suggests that human query frequently fixates on irrelevant details, ignoring much deeper, more meaningful considerations. The "wrong question" he refers to is our tendency to concentrate on what the mockingbird sings, which represents a surface-level interest about observable phenomena.
Rather, Russell motivates us to delve into the essence of charm itself, asking "Why is it stunning?" This question moves from simple observation to reflection on the nature of charm, a principle that is universal yet subjective. By proposing this concern, Russell welcomes us to think about the concepts, emotions, and natural human actions that classify something as lovely. He suggests that the secret and significance of charm lie not in the mockingbird's song itself, but in its capability to stimulate a sense of marvel, delight, or serenity within us.
This line of questioning cause broader reflections on visual appreciation and the viewpoint of appeal. It challenges us to understand charm as more than just sensory perception; it is an experience that discuss our values, emotions, and shared cultural understandings. By focusing on why something is lovely, Russell encourages us to check out how appeal can go beyond the concrete and get in the realm of the esoteric, consequently improving our human experience.
Moreover, this quote is a review of human habits and believed procedures. It demonstrates Russell's belief in the value of questioning assumptions and motivating deeper reflection. The quote acts as a tip that meaningful insights often need us to look beyond the apparent and to question the essential factors behind our understandings and beliefs. In doing so, Russell triggers a discussion about the innate qualities that render life's experiences not only observable but also exceptionally engaging and enriching.
"On two occasions I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question"
"If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour?"