The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and

by Will Durant

Book Overview

A brilliant and concise account of the lives and ideas of the great philosophers -- Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Spinoza, Voltaire, Kant, Schopenhauer, Spencer, Nietzsche, Bergson, Croce, Russell, Santayana, James and Dewey -- The Story of Philosophy is one of the great books of our time. Few write for the nonspecialist as well as Will Durant, and this book is a splendid example of his eminently readable scholarship. Durant's insight and wit never cease...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671494155
• ISBN13: 9780671494155
• Release Date: January 1953
• Publisher: Washington Square Press
• Length: 543 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A MAGNUM OPUS

+++++ The author, U.S. historian and Pulitzer Prize winner Will Durant (1885-1981) has written an exceptional book for any reader who wants to survey the history and development of philosophical ideas of the Western world. However, this book is just not your typical survey! It is also a stimulating introduction and enthusiastic invitation to philosophy of the Western world. This book concerns itself with fifteen influential Western world philosophers. Each of them has their own chapter title. These thinkers are as follows: (i) Spinoza, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Bergson*(ii) Croce* (iii) Plato, Aristotle, Kant, James^(iv) Spencer, Dewey^, Russell* and (v) Bacon, Voltaire, Satayana^. (The three *asterisked* names are under the chapter title "Contemporary European Philosophers" and the three ^arrowed^ names are under the chapter title "Contemporary American Philosopers.") Other Western philosophers that are not as thoroughly discussed have their own sections (or sections in collaboration with others) within these chapters. These include Socrates, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, and Comte. As well, yet other Western philosopers are briefly mentioned in the main body of the book. Why do I call this book a Magnum Opus (that is, a Masterpiece)? There are several reasons for this: (1) The INTRODUCTION. Even though it is brief, it is written brilliantly and is a treat to read. The reader, especially the first-time reader of Durant's works (such as myself) gets an idea at how skillful Durant is with words. I even recognized some disguised Shakespeare! (2) The BOOK'S CONTENT. This book is not just about philosophies but also about philosophers and the time in which they lived. The author combines his witty and dazzling narrative with excerpts from each philosopher's works so as to weave an interesting story. The author not only quotes the philosophers throughout but he directs the reader to the actual texts from which the quotations came. As a result, when I finished reading the book, I had a desire to read more. (3) A USEFUL CHART (or Table). It is entitled "Table of Philosophic Affiliations" and is located near the beginning of the third chapter. It indicates the main lines of philosophical development in Europe and America by including the names and lifespans of almost fifty philosophers (including the ones detailed in the book) of the Western world. This chart divides the fifty philosophers into five groups where each member of the group practices a similar philosophy. The reader can also tell at a glance the name of the previous philosopher or philosophers that influenced a future philosopher (and vice versa). It also shows how a philosopher in one group can be influenced by a philosopher in another group. As an example, the groupings of the fifteen philosophers in paragraph three (above) of this review are based on this chart. (4) A HELPUL GLOSSARY. Philosophy can introduce many new, unfamiliar words. To aid in decipherin

Few books change the way you see the world - this is one.

If you believe that philosophy is about complex theorizing, and not your cup of tea - think again, in fact dont think - just read Will Durants book. The title says it all so wonderfully elegantly, that it makes one feel almost emotional about the book after it is over - this book is a story. It is a story of a science, of a subject, and the people who made it. It is a tale that will move you with the love Plato shows for Socrates, that will bring you to tears as you read the Excommunication Curse pronounced on the young Spinoza, and will make you shake your head with its force of ideas as it explains Descartes and Kant.Once you are through with this book, and you lift your head again from its pages, the world will not seem the same. Few books can have so profound an effect on its reader - and this book does that. To the keen and curious, Durant lays bare about 2000 years of human thought, and puts in simple terms, some of the most baffling and complex of ideologies - and in doing so, the reader is left with a path to follow. The path of genius, the path of wisdom, and the path of enlightenment by reading the various books and philosophies of those mentioned here.Read this book, own it, treasure it, and pass it on to your children, this is heritage... this is a work of art.

The words of the wisest men in history

There is no pre-requisite to the enjoyment of philosophy, and there is no pre-requisite to the Story of Philosophy. Simply bring a mind that is famished for an injection of joy. "That is very good; but there is an infinitely worthier subject for philosophers than all these trees and stones, and even all those stars; there is the mind of man. What is man, and what can he become?" (Durant summarizing Socrates) Philosophy is the night that you looked up at those 100 billion stars and 100 billion galaxies and realized that you were beginning to ask the right questions. "To know what to ask is already to know half." (Durant summarizing Aristotle) Philosophy is the one great conversation in your past that echoes in every conversation since. When will that time come again? "All excellent things are as difficult as they are rare." (Durant summarizing Spinoza) That phenomenon of wonder will return when you open the "Story of Philosophy". A further taste of Durant's warming liquor: "Every science begins as philosophy and ends as art; it arises in hypothesis and flows into achievement." "How many a debate would have been deflated into a paragraph if the disputants had dared to define their terms." "Political science does not make men, but must take them as they come from nature." "The chief condition of happiness, barring certain physical prerequisites, is the life of reason--the specific glory and power of man." Durant's approach is linear in time, but immense in breadth. Beginning with Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, we are not only granted access to their treasure chests of wisdom, we are also given insights into the men. Durant introduces the era before he introduces the philosopher, for humanity inspires humanity, and these giants have benefactors of their own. Durant considers history as important an aspect of philosophy as metaphysics, and here he shines with a polished historian's touch (see Will Durant - "Story of Civilization"). "Athens became a busy mart and port, the meeting place of many races of men and of diverse cults and customs, whose contact and rivalry begot comparison, analysis, and thought." "Traditions and dogmas rub one another down to a minimum in such centers of varied intercourse; where there are a thousand faiths we are apt to become skeptical of them all." Durant runs the gauntlet of great thinkers (Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Spinoza, Voltaire, Kant, Nietzsche), and introduces you to some odd-looking but strong-eyed and delightful strangers (Schopenhauer, Spencer, Bergson, Croce, Russell, Santayana, James, Dewey). "How can we explain mind as matter, when we know matter only through mind?" (summarizing Schopenhauer) "We often forget that not only is there a soul of goodness in things evil, but generally also a soul of truth in things erroneous." (summarizing Spencer) "In ourselves, memory is the vehicle of duration, the handmaiden of time; and through it so much of our past is actively retained that rich alter

A wonderful introduction...

I usually look down on philosophical "collections" because they tend to give an inadequate picture of any single philosopher and they also tend to lack cohesion. But this book is not just a collection - it is more like a narrative. The name "The STORY of Philosophy" indicates the focus, which is not just to present the work of various philosophers but to weave them together. Durant's choice of philosophers may seem to be unreasonable, but it serves his purpose. He presents a wide range of thought, from ancient Greek to modern. His analysis is always deep - his insights are fascinating. His understanding of the nuances of these thinkers is not in question. Each section presents Durant's analysis alongside material quoted directly from the philosopher being discussed. In this way both the original material and thoughtful analysis are given. In broader terms, Durant brings all this diverse thought together. He describes the progression of thought through careful comparison and contrast and gives each of these philosophers a position in reference to one another and to a unified picture. Each of these thinkers is put into a broader context than simply their own writings; parallels between these philosophers emerge alongside a portryal of their historical significance. All in all a real achievement and a worthwhile read for almost anyone (as an introduction to philosophy or as a valuable new perspective on material you're already familiar with). Recommended...