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Title: Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the World's Greatest Philosophers by Will Durant ISBN: 0-671-73916-6 Publisher: Pocket Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 1991 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.74 (43 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Will ignite within you a love for philosophy
Comment: Among laymen, philosophy is, perhaps, the most oft-berated and easily-dismissed subject of them all, surpassing even esoteric science and higher mathematics in that regard. This is unfortunate because, as anyone who has studied it knows, philosophy is a beautiful and perpetually-interesting subject ripe for years of study and enjoyment. The negative light in which philosophy is often portrayed is primarily due to its inherently esoteric nature and specialized nomenclature that scares off many would-be pundits and leaves many a common man shaking their proverbial head. The solution, then, is to introduce this interesting and beautiful subject to the masses in a way that portrays it as interesting, practical, and vital without being overly complex or intimidating. Will Durant's The Story of Philosophy does just that. Starting with Socrates (through Plato) and going through the late 19th century European and American philosophers (wrapping up with John Dewey), the book hits most of the high points of Western philosophy while also being, inevitably, incomplete. Most of the truly major philosophical figures (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Spinoza, Kant, Nietzsche, etc.) are covered adequately, and a handful of lesser-known names are gone over as well. In addition to summarizing the major points of the various philosophies, the book does one other thing that I see as very important: it also gives a short biography of the philosopher in question, as well as general background information and a note on the times in which they wrote. This is important because it allows the reader not only to see the philosophy they created, but WHY they created it, and how the circumstances of their time and place contributed to it. This is very important, especially in those not-infrequent cases where the philosophy in question seems absurd or ridicilous today. I agree with other reviewers in that the book's strongest chapter is the one on Voltaire. Although not even considered a true philosopher by some, Durant shows how important Voltaire was to the philosophical traditon as a compiler of knowledge and as an influence on virtually everyone who lived during his time and everyone who came after. The book is very well-written -- scholarly and erudite, while also levied with a subtle sense of humor and an endering educational slant. Another strength of the book is that it leaves out aspects of philosophy that are either tangental or would scare off the average reader -- i.e., epistemology, which the author harbors an obvious disdain for. Kant's philosophy, though its high points are covered adequately, is, as the author himself admits, somewhat glazed over -- but certainly it is covered adequately enough for the average reader (books several times the size of this one have been written critiquing just one small aspect of Kant's critique.) The book, however, does have its limitations, which the average reader will not care too much about, if they even notice them at all, but which a scholar or professor of philosophy would decry. First off, the book skips pretty lightly over some major philosophical figures (Descarte, Hume, Locke, Rosseau.) Also, since it was originally written in the 1920's and then later updated in the early 60's, it misses some more contemporary philosophers and philosophical movements (notably, Sarte and the existential movement.) Still, this is a very practical and useful introductory text to philosophy that is time-honored and hard-to-beat. I reccommend it to you if you have even a passing interest in the subject. If you read it and enjoy it, you will be forever a lover of philosophy. In my own personal case, it introduced me to two philosophers with which I was only vaguely familar (Spinoza and Schopenhauer), and that I now plan on reading more of. Hopefully it will do the same for you.
Rating: 5
Summary: A MAGNUM OPUS
Comment: _______________________________________________________________
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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 deciphering these words, there is a small glossary found at the back of the book.
There are two irritations I have with my paperback edition. It should be emphasized that these are NOT the author's fault and they do NOT interfere with the story flow of the book.
First, on the front cover of the book there is an omission. It is that the word "Western" should appear in the book's subtitle. It should thus read "The Lives and Opinions of the WESTERN World's Greatest Philosophers."
Second, the important chart of (3) above is very easy to miss. It should be indicated in the Table of Contents that it even exists. As well, it would be easier to refer too if it was placed at the back of the book with the glossary.
In conclusion, if you want a brilliant and concise account of the lives and ideas of the greatest philosophers of the Western world that's written with wit for the nonspecialist, then get this profound book!!
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Rating: 5
Summary: Best introduction to Philosophy
Comment: Durant, in this masterpiece, explains the history of Philosophy from before Socrates all the way to Santayana, James and Dewey. His combination of wit, insights into life and encyclopedic knowledge of the subject makes this book a page turner.
He may have popularized philosophy but he hasn't lost the essence as some other authors have done by watering down the messages. It's still there in its original form but he doesn't use pretentious prose to appear learned. You know he knows what he is talking about without him having to resort to the 'specialized' language that other authors speaking about philosophy turn to.
This is one great expositor, and he will get you interested in the subject if you were only lukewarm about it before. He explains how a Philosopher develops; he describes the personal influences as well as the societal. You understand by reading him that philosophies do not appear in a vacuum, they are an answer to previous questions and philosophies and the problems most pressing at that time. So you have Durant explaining Schopenhauer's lack of affinity with women and those around him and his almost schizophrenic fear having an effect on his philosophical views. You also understand why Kant wrote the Critique of pure reason and who it was in response to. I found it hard to understand Kant before, but Durant has made his main ideas so lucid that I will now attempt to read _The critique of pure reason._
You also get to know the philosophers in a personal way; you feel with Plato the sorrow of losing a master, who goes stoically to his death because he believes in his philosophy. Only a great author can make you feel for someone who lived thousands of years ago.
I must make a note to the Christian reader. Many of the philosophers discussed by Durant were Atheists and many of their philosophies were a reaction to the dominant Christian theology at the time. I found though that some of these philosophers were not attacking Christianity per se, but the organized religion that had called itself by that name. I read this book keeping in mind that these philosophies, although very illuminating, are man made and fallible. I think if you are strong in your faith, you can read this book and take some of their bitter attacks against Christianity as their personal views about the subject, without worrying yourself too much. The greatest thing this book did is introduce Philosophy to me in a straightforward way. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with even a fleeting interest in Philosophy. The writing is so plain and clear that the only things that may be difficult to understand are the philosophies themselves rather than the prose. Good luck to you.
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Title: The Greatest Minds and Ideas of All Time by Will Durant ISBN: 0743235533 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 29 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
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Title: Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers by S.E. Frost ISBN: 038503007X Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 01 September, 1962 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The Lessons of History by William James Durant, Will Durant, Ariel Durant ISBN: 0671413333 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: August, 1968 List Price(USD): $22.00 |
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Title: How to Read a Book by Charles Van Doren, Mortimer J. Adler ISBN: 0671212095 Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: 15 August, 1972 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Heroes of History: A Brief History of Civilization from Ancient Times to the Dawn of the Modern Age by Will Durant ISBN: 0743226127 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 13 November, 2001 List Price(USD): $27.50 |
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