One of the most prominent philosophers and activists of the 20th century, Bertrand Russell is known not only for his fundamental contributions on the scope of human knowledge and on mathematical logic, but also for his often-controversial views on ethical and linguistic topics. This edited collection of original essays by prominent Russell scholars focuses on the philosopher's positions on the key issues of nuclear war, peace, and language. The contributors critically assess Russell's arguments within their historical and philosophical context and show the significance and topicality that his ideas have retained to the present day, some 80 years since their first articulation. Among the issues examined are Russell's advocacy of preventive war against the Soviets, his activism for peace, his critical assessment of Wittgenstein's analysis of ordinary language, and his account of mathematical statements.

Preface
Introduction by Alan Schwerin
Bertrand Russell and Preventive War by Ray Perkins
Russell and the Communist-Aligned Peace Movement in the Mid-1950s by Andy Bone
Russell on Happiness by José Idler-Acosta
Reference Revisited by Rom Harré
Russell, Wittgenstein, and Cogito ergo sum by Antony Flew
Our Statements Are Likely to be Wrong: On Russell's Big Thesis by Alan Schwerin
Russell, Logicism, and "If-thenism" by Nicholas Griffin
Index