TLDR
* There’s an organization based in London called the Rationalist Association.
It was founded in 1885. Historically, it focused on publishing books and
articles related to atheism and science, including works by Darwin, Bertrand
Russell, J. B. S. Haldane, George Bernard Shaw, H. G. Wells, and Karl Popper.
* The topics covered overlap with the present-day rationalist movement
(centered on Lesswrong). They include religion and atheism, philosophy
(especially philosophy of science and ethics), evolution, and psychology.
* According to Wikipedia, membership of the Rationalist Association peaked in
1959 with more than 5000 members and with Bertrand Russell as President.
* This post displays some covers of Rationalist Association publications, and
links to full-text articles and other resources.
* Prior to reading this biography, I hadn't heard of these earlier
rationalists. So I did some quick and shallow research. I’d be curious to
know more about this history. It might be worth adding a note to this LW Wiki
entry.
PAST COVERS OF THE RATIONALIST ASSOCIATION PUBLICATIONS
1896 COVER
* This is a journal for short articles called the “Agnostic Annual” (later
“Rationalist Annual”). The full text is here.
* Some quotes from the article “Mind as controlled by matter” below.
1938 COVER
Includes articles by Bertrand Russell and evolutionary biologist and
proto-transhumanist J. B. S. Haldane.
1954 COVER
1971 COVER
* This is for a magazine called The Humanist, published by the Rationalist
Association. It has since published articles by Richard Dawkins and Daniel
Dennett.
* Contents: “Rationalist Tasks”, “Motoring Safety”, “Quasi-rational
Quarrelling” and the first appearance of the famous Philip Larkin poem that
begins “They fuck you up, your mum and dad”.
LINKS AND FULL-TEXT
1. Full-text articles from the Rationalist Annual by the prolific biologist,
popular science writer and communist, J. B. S. Haldane. Some