2. Topic: Reflections on the Re-awakening East
Bertrand Russell
Asif Seemab Sindhu
Asstt Prof English
DADC

3. Russell-His Life and Ideology
Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell
(18 May 1872 – 2 Feb 1970)
British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian and social critic
An anti-war activist
Anti-imperialist
For Nuclear disarmament, criticized Soviet totalitarianism, and the United States of America's involvement in the Vietnam War
Nobel Prize in Literature-1950

4. Russell in this Chapter
A profound historian
An advocate of Peace and Prosperity to the world in
general and to Asia in particular
An anti-communist
An opponent of war
Believer of Heterogeneous Cultures
Reservations with Industrialization and Science
Staunch believer of the importance of Aestheticism, Performing Arts and Fine Arts in human life
An Optimist in an UNCERTAIN and HOSTILE WORLD

5. RUSSELL- A HISTORIAN
The history of Alterations of Power between East and West
a) Ancient Eastern cultural and political supremacy
i)Indus civilization (Moen jo Daro-4500 years back)
ii)Persian Empire (Greek Contemporaries)established by
Cyrus the Great in 6th century B.C( )
b) 1st Phase of European dominance
i) Greek civilization
ii) Alexander and his conquests
iii) Roman Empire

6. 2nd Phase of Eastern Supremacy
Fall of the Roman Empire
Great Caliphate of Mohammadan world
Chinese Empire------Tang Dynasty
The Dark Ages
Al-Andalus (Spain)

7. New Western Imperialism
2nd Phase of European Dominance
New Western Imperialism
PIONEERS
i. Christopher Columbus
ii. Vasco da Gama
b. Domination through Advancement of Science & Technology
East was out distanced from the beginning of 16th Century
Western conquests and influences dominated the world till 19th century.
Europe enfeebled again
German & other Occidental wars
Emergence and execution of Communist Philosophy ( 1917 RED Revolution)

8. Russell on Communism
Most modern and virulent form of Western Imperialism
Degraded form of Western Culture.
Moscow and Peking alliance—a threat to Europe.
If Asia reawakens : Should not follow communism because it is detrimental to humanity and civilization. .

9. Russell on Industrialization
a. A source for preserving independence and being powerful as:
19th Century England and USSR and USA of today
b. Redundant Protests:
i) Protests in England
ii) Thomas Carlyle’s ( ) Past and Present
A direct response to the economic crisis of the 1840s.
iii) Gandhi’s Philosophy and Movement of ‘Spinning Wheel’.
The most significant unifying symbol of the Nationalist Movement in India

10. Russell on War Most sinister Camouflaged in scientific advancements
b. What Asian countries should do?
Not to turn struggle for independence into War or desire for conquest.
To remain impartial if the 3rd World War breaks out between Super Powers (USSR & USA).
To value their own traditional civilization and not to be swamped by any western thinking

11. Russell on Cultural Uniformity
Trifle and absurd to think Asia as a Unity and an ONLY opposition to Western Imperialism
No Civilization has ever been so cosmopolitan (universal)
Three distinct Asian civilizations:
Islam
India
China.

12. Russell’s Panoramic View of the World’s Horizon
Condemns
The Lust of Power over other human beings
The Militaristic Mechanization
No exploitation of other nations through
Control over ENERGY Resources
INGENUITY
A relation of Mutual Respect
Uncertainty, Apprehension and Hope are
rational but it is only HOPE which is beneficial

13. Thank you