Menace to Society: The Condemnation of Philosophical Ideas in the Bertrand Russell Case

Course Description

‘In 1940, City College appointed Bertrand Russell, the most famous living philosopher of the time (1872-1970), to the faculty. Controversy ensued when the Archdiocese of New York, in league with various politicians, managed successfully to oppose the appointment, on grounds that Russell’s philosophical ideas were unsuitable and inappropriate, and that, as a result, his influence would be too dangerous to college students. The event bore striking similarities to the infamous condemnation (to death) of Socrates for impiety and corruption of the youth in 399 B.C.  In this course we carefully examine the content of Russell’s ideas and debate their potential menace to society. Details of the lawsuit at the center of this particular event are analyzed for what they can add to the understanding of the opposition to the Russell appointment. The focus of the course is to generate debate and discussion on questions like: How do philosophical ideas pose a threat to society? What specific ideas were considered to be the most threatening in the Russell case? What was the main focus of the opposition? What form did it take? Are there ways in which such conflict continues to occur today? Should ideas be held to a unique standard of freedom no matter what their content, and should institutions protect that freedom?  Students are introduced to a series of core philosophical skills (such as reason, argument, and analysis) through study and discussion of the course materials, and are expected to apply those skills in order to develop proficiency and clarity in written work and oral presentation.