In fact, there are two lots of TEN COMMANDMENTS written by the hand of philosopher, Bertrand Russell. The first comprises his TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR CRITICAL THINKING. The second lists his MY TEN COMMANDMENTS, which can be viewed as TEN RULES FOR LIVING. Like myself, Bertrand Russell was obviously a big fan of the number 10. In spiritual terms, this is the number of COMPLETION...
​
As Bertrand Russell said many times, most of the problems in modern society are down to a lack of critical thinking skills in the masses. Here are his
"TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR CRITICAL THINKING":
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, endeavour 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.
And secondly, his
"MY TEN COMMANDMENTS":
1. Do not lie to yourself.
2. Do not lie to other people unless they are exercising tyranny.
3. When you think it is you duty to inflict pain, scrutinize your reasons closely.
4. When you desire power, examine yourself closely as to why you deserve it.
5. When you have power, use it to build up people, not to constrict them.
6. Do not attempt to live without vanity, for this is impossible, but choose the right audience from which to seek admiration.
7. Do not think of yourself as a wholly self-contained unit.
8. Be reliable.
9. Be just.
10. Be good-natured.
