Books: The Bloomer Philosopher

HUMAN SOCIETY IN ETHICS AND POLITICS (227 pp.)—Bertrand Russell—Simon & Schuster ($3.50).

In a seminar on leading contemporary philosophers at New York University, Professor Sidney Hook once asked his class: "What is Bertrand Russell's philosophy?" "Russell is a materialist," said one student. "An idealist," said another. "A realist," "a rationalist," said still others. The students quickly got the professor's point—that there was an element of truth in each of their answers. "The next time anyone asks you, 'What is Bertrand Russell's philosophy?' " Professor Hook said, "the correct answer is 'What year, please?' " In his 83rd year, Bertrand Arthur William, Earl...