Chapter- 4.3 Intellectual Rubbish
1. Q: Who is the central figure in the story?
A: A prophetess who claimed to perform miracles.
2. Q: What miracle did the prophetess claim she could do?
A: She claimed that she could walk on water.
3. Q: Why did the people gather around her?
A: To see her perform the miracle.
4. Q: What question did the prophetess ask the believers?
A: She asked if they really believed she could walk on water.
5. Q: What did the believers reply?
A: They replied in one voice, “We are sure!”
6. Q: How did the prophetess trick her believers?
A: She said that since they already believed, she didn't need to show the miracle.
7. Q: What did the believers do afterward?
A: They went home satisfied and impressed.
8. Q: What quality of the believers made it easy to fool them?
A: Their blind faith.
9. Q: What does the incident show about human nature?
A: People often accept things without questioning.
10. Q: What does Bertrand Russell suggest about beliefs?
A: That the world is full of foolish beliefs and intellectual rubbish.
11. Q: What does Russell say a wise man enjoys?
A: Things that are in plentiful supply.
12. Q: What does he say about “intellectual rubbish”?
A: That it is available in abundance in every age.
13. Q: What does the prophetess represent?
A: Deception, superstition, and blind faith.
14. Q: Why didn’t the prophetess walk on water?
A: She knew she could not actually perform the miracle.
15. Q: Why did the believers not question her?
A: Because they were already convinced by faith, not reason.
16. Q: What would happen if blind beliefs were replaced by science?
A: According to Russell, the world might lose some variety and interest.
17. Q: Why does Russell mention “cold science”?
A: To contrast emotional belief with rational thinking.
18. Q: What feeling did the believers have after hearing the prophetess?
A: They felt satisfied and spiritually uplifted.
19. Q: What was the prophetess’ strategy?
A: To avoid proving anything by exploiting the believers’ confidence.
20. Q: What message does the story communicate?
A: People should question claims instead of accepting them blindly.
21. Q: How does the story reflect superstition?
A: It shows people accepting miracles without evidence.
22. Q: Why does Russell call certain beliefs “rubbish”?
A: Because they lack logic and reasoning.
23. Q: What is meant by ‘plentiful supply’ in the text?
A: Things that are easily available and common.
24. Q: What is the moral of the prophetess episode?
A: Blind belief makes people vulnerable to deception.
25. Q: What attitude does Russell encourage?
A: A critical and thoughtful approach to beliefs.
26. Q: How did the prophetess avoid embarrassment?
A: She used the believers’ faith as an excuse not to perform the miracle.
27. Q: Why did the believers go home “edified”?
A: They felt spiritually uplifted, although nothing actually happened.
28. Q: What does the story warn readers about?
A: To be wary of blind faith and false prophets.
29. Q: What role does reason play in the lesson?
A: Reason helps prevent people from being fooled.
30. Q: What is Bertrand Russell’s main message?
A: People should rely on logic and critical thinking rather than superstition.
