Compelled Quote by Bertrand Russell
![“For some reason which I have failed to understand, many people like the system [scientific totalitarianism] when it is Russian but disliked the very same system when it was German. I am compelled to think that this is due to the power of labels; these people like whatever is labelled ‘Left’…” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/064/bertrand-russell-69_compelled_for-some-reason-which-i-have-failed-to-u_3115184.jpg)
“For some reason which I have failed to understand, many people like the system [scientific totalitarianism] when it is Russian but disliked the very same system when it was German. I am compelled to think that this is due to the power of labels; these people like whatever is labelled ‘Left’ without examining whether the label has any justification.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Why I Am Not a Christian, 1927
People accept ideas based on labels rather than substance, leading to inconsistent judgments.
In simple terms: Labels bias our acceptance of ideas.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions behind labels.
Themes
bias
critical thinking
politics
Mood
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- media consumption
- political debate
- education curricula
Key Concepts
label theory
social psychology
ideology
Questions to Reflect On
- What labels influence your views?
- How can we evaluate ideas beyond labels?
A Different Perspective
Labels can oversimplify complex issues.
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
![“I've written a lot of other books and this book [Tears we cannot stop] was different. I couldn't just say what I wanted to say in the same style that I said it in those other books. I felt compelled to preach.” quote by Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f3e/michael-eric-dyson-1424_book_i-ve-written-a-lot-of-other-books-and-th_45441.jpg)
