58 pages • 1 hour read
The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the Greater Philosophers
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Book Brief
704
Reference/Text Book • Nonfiction
1926
Pocket Books
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant endeavors to make Western philosophy accessible by tracing its development from Ancient Greece to the early 20th century. Durant begins with Socrates and his quest for knowledge beyond discredited authorities, continues through Plato, Aristotle, and the Roman and Medieval periods, and culminates in the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and the contemporary thoughts of Bertrand Russell and John Dewey. The text contains androcentric language, exclusive Western perspectives, and derogatory remarks about other cultures.
Informative
Inspirational
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
19,494 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Will Durant's The Story of Philosophy is praised for its engaging and accessible writing, making complex philosophical ideas comprehensible to a broad audience. Readers appreciate its historical context and concise overviews of key philosophers. Criticisms include occasional oversimplification and lack of depth in certain areas. Overall, it is a valuable introductory resource.
Who Should Read The Story of Philosophy?
Readers who would enjoy The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant are intellectually curious individuals fascinated by the history of human thought. They appreciate accessible yet comprehensive explorations of philosophical ideas. Similar readers might enjoy Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy or Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time.
19,494 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Chaya Kaufman (Ariel Durant)
Chaya Kaufman (Ariel Durant)
Will Durant's wife and collaborator, coauthoring many of his books, and key contributor to the research that helped elevate their joint literary projects.
The Story of Philosophy was published in 1926 and became an unexpected bestseller, selling over two million copies in its first fifteen years.
Will Durant initially wrote essays on philosophers as part of a series for his class and later compiled them into The Story of Philosophy due to their popularity.
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The success of The Story of Philosophy helped popularize philosophical works for general audiences, making it one of the first books to make complex ideas accessible to the public.
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704
Reference/Text Book • Nonfiction
1926
Pocket Books
Adult
18+ years
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