BERTRAND RUSSELL

NEW YORK
E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY
681 Fifth Avenue

Copyright, 1925
By E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY

All Rights Reserved

First Printing, April, 1925
Second Printing, June, 1925
Third Printing, June, 1925
Fourth Printing, March, 1926

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

PREFACE

In this little book, I have tried to say what I think of man’s place in the universe, and of his possibilities in the way of achieving the good life. In Icarus I expressed my fears; in the following pages I have expressed my hopes. The inconsistency is only apparent. Except in astronomy, mankind have not achieved the art of predicting the future; in human affairs, we can see that there are forces making for happiness, and forces making for misery. We do not know which will prevail, but to act wisely we must be aware of both.