Notes Class 9 Chapter 4.3 Kumarbharati English Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – Kumarbharati English Class 9

Intellectual Rubbish

Author: Bertrand Russell

Theme: The chapter teaches us how to avoid foolish opinions and think wisely.

Important Vocabulary (with meanings in simple English):

• Dogmatism – Thinking you are always right without proof.
• Bias – Strong opinion without fair judgment.
• Insular – Not open to new or foreign ideas.
• Perverse – Doing the opposite just to be stubborn.
• Refutation – Proving something wrong.
• Hypothetical – Based on an idea or guess.
• Elixir of life – A magical drink that gives eternal life.
• Talisman – A lucky charm.
• Incantation – Magical words said in a special way.
• Poltroon – Coward.

Main Points of the Chapter:

1. Avoid Silly Mistakes

• Observe things yourself if they can be checked.
• Example: Aristotle wrongly said women have fewer teeth than men. He could have just counted them.

2. Don’t Get Angry at Different Opinions

• If you get angry when someone disagrees, it may mean you are unsure or have no proof.
• Example: If someone says 2+2=5, we don’t get angry because we know it’s wrong.

3. Understand Other People’s Views

• Travel or talk to people with different ideas.
• This helps reduce narrow-minded thinking (insular prejudice).

4. Be Careful of Copying Foolish Customs

• Sometimes people blindly copy the wrong habits of others.
• Example: Manchus and Chinese exchanged bad customs like pigtails and foot-binding.

5. Use Imaginary Arguments to Test Beliefs

• Imagine discussing with someone who thinks differently.
• Example: Think about what Mahatma Gandhi would say against modern technology.

6. Don’t Let Self-Esteem Blind You

• People believe their gender or country is the best.
• Men say, “Most scientists are men”; women reply, “Most criminals are men”.
• This argument never ends and shows pride more than truth.

7. Fear is a Big Source of False Beliefs

• Fear creates superstitions and wrong ideas (e.g. ghosts, magical cures).
• Fear can also make people cruel and unkind.
• Conquering fear is the beginning of wisdom.

8. How People Try to Avoid Fear

• By false belief (e.g., mascots, magic).
• Or by courage – the better way, but difficult.

9. Superstitions Can Be Funny Too

• Example: A woman said she could walk on water. When everyone believed her, she said, “Then I don’t need to prove it!”

Ways to Avoid Errors (From the Text):

1. Observe things yourself.
2. Check if your belief is supported by evidence.
3. Don’t get angry over opinions-ask why you’re angry.
4. Know other cultures and ideas.
5. Imagine debates with people who think differently.
6. Don’t believe things just because they boost your self-pride.
7. Accept and face your fears.

Extra Notes:

• Savage controversies happen when there is no clear proof either way.
• Believing in mascots or spells comes from fear and a need for comfort.
• Thinking wisely doesn’t require being a genius-just honesty, courage, and openness.