What Every Teacher Should Learn From Bertrand Russell

In each of us is a teacher. To our children, to our subordinates, to our peers, to the less educated, even to the mis-educated, being learned, we have the social responsibility to teach those who need it at some point.  

Who is Bertrand Russell and how can he impact on our modern school of thought?

British historian, social critic, and mathematician  Bertrand Russell is one of the genius and radical philosophers in modern history. 

His, The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell: 1944-1969 contains this manifesto, entitled A Liberal Decalogue — a vision for responsibilities of a teacher. Here Russell encompasses — the significance of education, the use of  uncertainty thinking, the importance of critical mind process, and purpose of intelligent criticism.

Here are some of his magnificient meme that makes you double think as you stumble upon his world.

Moreso, on professional teachers, here Russell illucidates the importance of self restraint in teaching and also respect to the students.  

Bertrand Russel 10 Commandments of Teaching

1. Do not feel absolutely certain of anything. 
2. Do not think it worth while to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.
3. Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed.
4. When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavor to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.
5. Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.
6. Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.
7. Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.
8. Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter.
9. Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.
10. Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool’s paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.