Avoiding Common Errors in Daily Life
Keeping Errors at Bay
Bertrand Russell (1872 – 1970)
Literal Comprehension:
This essay by Bertrand Russell provides multiple examples of mistakes that people generally commit in their day-to-day life. His main idea is to provide suggestions to avoid these mistakes. We need a careful, serious, critical, and analytical mind to get rid of these errors. This essay deals with the ideas of avoiding errors that happen in our daily life situations. We can remove many foolish opinions by observing the related facts. When observations are impossible, we have to compare our ideas with those of others. If there is evidence and knowledge, there will be no wrong understanding. Visiting different places and observing societies of the world also helps us to purify our own opinions. Knowing others’ ideas makes us less dogmatic. If we have a one-sided idea about anything, we will not find out the truth; in such a situation, we will make our good points seem more important. Fear and prejudice of different types create obstacles to learning the truth or reality. So, we should be very careful while doing any work. We should not take anything for granted without proper observation.
Interpretation:
To err is human, but to make a mistake is not excusable. Humans make errors knowingly, or having known about that error is not human. This is somewhat punishable also. We cannot find truth without proper understanding. The essay tries to tell us why human beings are unable to see the truth. They do not see the matter. They have the illusion that they know everything without knowing it properly. It says that we have some mistakes; generally, we do not compare our ideas with those of others. We unnecessarily feel pride and ignore things. Therefore, we commit crimes or errors. This is human, but to make a mistake knowingly cannot be human. There are solutions for errors but not for knowingly committing mistakes.
Critical Thinking:
Russell gives a very concrete idea about errors and their solutions. He says how and why we make errors and how we can correct them. After reading this story, I came to know and have some questions. The essayist has presented a scientific way of thinking. By comparing and contrasting, we can judge our own ideas. I agree with many things that the essayist says, but there are some questions in my mind. Who can remain without making any errors? How can one know that it is an error and this is not? Can we change our minds not to make errors? Why can’t people find out the fact easily? How can we compare such things to those of others? What are the forms of truth? How do we know whose idea is right or wrong? Because of these reasons, generally, people commit errors in life.
Assimilation:
Generally, we think whatever we do is right. This essay gave me lots of ideas about errors and their types, as well as their remedies (solutions). I started to realize my mistakes in my life, as I sometimes used to be stubborn and think everything was right. I started to honor others’ ideas. I also came to know why people make mistakes while making ideas. A wise man should look at things from different sides. We should be comparative, and multidimensional perspectives should be used. I came to know that we can make errors in every work, every time, but that is only found out after its proper judgment.