The Story of Philosophy

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Will Durant chronicles the lives and ideas of several key philosophical thinkers throughout history in this informative yet eminently readable text. Beginning with Socrates and Plato and concluding with Friedrich Nietzsche, with twelve other prominent philosophers between them, the author builds a history of philosophy by showing how each thinker's ideas informed and influenced the next generation. An essential read for anyone fascinated by the development of Western philosophy.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Will Durant chronicles the lives and ideas of several key philosophical thinkers throughout history in this informative and eminently readable text. Beginning with Socrates and Plato and concluding with Friedrich Nietzsche, with twelve other prominent philosophers in between, the author builds a history of philosophy by showing how each thinker's ideas informed and influenced the next generation. An essential read for anyone fascinated by the development of Western philosophy.

The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the Greater Philosophers is a 1926 book by Will Durant, in which he profiles several prominent Western philosophers and their ideas, beginning with Socrates and Plato and on through Friedrich Nietzsche. Durant attempts to show the interconnection of their ideas and how one philosopher's ideas informed the next. There are nine chapters each focused on one philosopher, and two more chapters each containing briefer profiles of three early 20th century philosophers. The book was published in 1926, with a revised second edition released in 1933. The work was preceded by a number of pamphlets in the Little Blue Books series of inexpensive worker education pamphlets. They proved so popular they were assembled into a single book and published in hardcover form by Simon & Schuster in 1926. Philosophers profiled are, in order: Plato (with a section on Socrates), Aristotle, Francis Bacon, Baruch Spinoza (with a section on Descartes), Voltaire (with a section on Rousseau), Immanuel Kant (with a section on Hegel), Arthur Schopenhauer, Herbert Spencer, and Friedrich Nietzsche. The final two chapters are devoted to European and then American philosophers. Henri Bergson, Benedetto Croce, and Bertrand Russell are covered in the tenth, and George Santayana, William James, and John Dewey are covered in the eleventh.

First published in 1926, "The Story of Philosophy" is noted historian Will Durant's survey of Western philosophy. Having been described as "a groundbreaking work that helped to popularize philosophy", the book begins with detailed descriptions of the philosophical ideas of the ancient Greeks, i.e. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The book then proceeds in chronicling the different philosophical doctrines of French Enlightenment, German Idealism, Pessimism, Existentialism, and concludes with the social, economic, and political philosophers of the last part of the nineteenth and first part of the twentieth century. At the heart of philosophical inquiry are the very important questions of determining right from wrong, of how to structure society equitably, and how to structure one's mind concerning the purpose of one's own life. "The Story of Philosophy" details the preponderances of some of history's greatest thinkers on these very questions. A popular work on what can be an intimidating subject, "The Story of Philosophy" provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to Western philosophy suitable for both the casual reader and class instruction. This edition follows the original 1926 publication and is printed on premium acid-free paper.

First published in 1926, "The Story of Philosophy" is noted historian Will Durant's survey of Western philosophy. Having been described as "a groundbreaking work that helped to popularize philosophy", the book begins with detailed descriptions of the philosophical ideas of the ancient Greeks, i.e. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The book then proceeds in chronicling the different philosophical doctrines of French Enlightenment, German Idealism, Pessimism, Existentialism, and concludes with the social, economic, and political philosophers of the last part of the nineteenth and first part of the twentieth century. At the heart of philosophical inquiry are the very important questions of determining right from wrong, of how to structure society equitably, and how to structure one's mind concerning the purpose of one's own life. "The Story of Philosophy" details the preponderances of some of history's greatest thinkers on these very questions. A popular work on what can be an intimidating subject, "The Story of Philosophy" provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to Western philosophy suitable for both the casual reader and class instruction. This edition follows the original 1926 publication and is printed on premium acid-free paper.

The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the Greater Philosophers is a 1926 book by Will Durant, in which he profiles several prominent Western philosophers and their ideas, beginning with Socrates and Plato and on through Friedrich Nietzsche. Durant attempts to show the interconnection of their ideas and how one philosopher's ideas informed the next. There are nine chapters each focused on one philosopher, and two more chapters each containing briefer profiles of three early 20th century philosophers. The book was published in 1926, with a revised second edition released in 1933. The work was preceded by a number of pamphlets in the Little Blue Books series of inexpensive worker education pamphlets. They proved so popular they were assembled into a single book and published in hardcover form by Simon & Schuster in 1926. Philosophers profiled are, in order: Plato (with a section on Socrates), Aristotle, Francis Bacon, Baruch Spinoza (with a section on Descartes), Voltaire (with a section on Rousseau), Immanuel Kant (with a section on Hegel), Arthur Schopenhauer, Herbert Spencer, and Friedrich Nietzsche. The final two chapters are devoted to European and then American philosophers. Henri Bergson, Benedetto Croce, and Bertrand Russell are covered in the tenth, and George Santayana, William James, and John Dewey are covered in the eleventh.

Embark on an intellectual journey through the minds that shaped Western thought with Will Durant's The Story of Philosophy. This accessible and engaging work introduces readers to the lives and ideas of history's greatest thinkers, from ancient Greece to the modern era. Durant masterfully weaves biography, historical context, and philosophical concepts into a narrative that brings philosophy to life. Whether you're a seasoned scholar or new to philosophical inquiry, this book offers fresh insights into the enduring questions that have captivated humanity for millennia. Explore the revolutionary ideas of Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Spinoza, Voltaire, Kant, Nietzsche, and many others. Durant's clear prose and thoughtful analysis illuminate the profound impact these thinkers have had on our understanding of existence, knowledge, ethics, and society. The Story of Philosophy is more than a chronology of ideas-it's an invitation to engage with the intellectual heritage that continues to shape our world today. Prepare to be challenged, inspired, and enlightened by this timeless exploration of human wisdom.

Embark on an intellectual journey through the minds that shaped Western thought with Will Durant's The Story of Philosophy. This accessible and engaging work introduces readers to the lives and ideas of history's greatest thinkers, from ancient Greece to the modern era. Durant masterfully weaves biography, historical context, and philosophical concepts into a narrative that brings philosophy to life. Whether you're a seasoned scholar or new to philosophical inquiry, this book offers fresh insights into the enduring questions that have captivated humanity for millennia. Explore the revolutionary ideas of Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Spinoza, Voltaire, Kant, Nietzsche, and many others. Durant's clear prose and thoughtful analysis illuminate the profound impact these thinkers have had on our understanding of existence, knowledge, ethics, and society. The Story of Philosophy is more than a chronology of ideas-it's an invitation to engage with the intellectual heritage that continues to shape our world today. Prepare to be challenged, inspired, and enlightened by this timeless exploration of human wisdom.