Bertrand russell on statistical empathy

Abstract

The mark of a civilized human is the ability to look at a column of numbers, and weep. I love this line. I’ve taken to calling this ability “statistical empathy.” I think it’s one of the core values required to do good in the modern world. This quote is widely attributed to Betrand Russell, though I don’t think he actually wrote it. He may be responsible for articulating the idea, though.