Rating: 
Summary: Not an Idiot's Guide
Review:
Context is delightful, and that's what Durant gives us, even including the gossipy backgrounds that make us sympathize all the more with the attempts of these great minds to put together, and teach, their love of truth and their attempts to sort through the problems of existence. Attempts at popularizing are always panned when they first appear, and Durant faced the criticism of not being sufficiently academic when his summaries of the great Western philosophers first appeared. But sales made up for it, and people have been enjoying this wonder book for three-quarters of a century.
His main disclaimers are a cursory treatment of epistemology (study of sources and nature of knowledge) and a complete omission of eastern thought. He makes a point of not apologizing for the lack of epistemology, calling it a "dismal science" that has hindered the relevance of much philosophical work.
It was very instructive to see how the anti-democratic, and more aristocratic, views of Plato's and Socrates' views emerged. Hellenic democracy was pure chaos. The story of Socrates' death, drinking hemlock for his unwillingness to do the politically correct thing, was brilliant. Plato the poet gives way to Aristotle the scientist (reminds of Pirsig's Classic/Romantic split in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance). As Aristotle goes on an unprecedented binge of actually defining the sciences (now's there a lifetime of achievement for you), Durant fondly describes the errors that arise from not having the tools to do the refined experimentation (example: Aristotle believed that the brain cooled the blood).
We skip ahead, through the Dark Ages, to Francis Bacon, who made the conquest of nature his ideal. He essentially gave form to the scientific method, if he didn't actually spell it out. The West has been trying to conquer nature ever since Bacon.
Spinoza's odyssey, as a "gentle philosopher" (this is how Durant refers to him) who was excommunicated for his early writings (he dared to say the language of the Bible was allegorical) and lived a Spartan life saying what was on his mind thereafter, was very aptly told. His reflections on the power of the intellect, ethics, nature and God, matter and morals, intelligence and mind, influenced all philosophical thought after him, and Hegel said "To be a philosopher one must first be a Spinozist."
The inclusion of Voltaire was curious, because you normally think of him more as a playwright and fiction writer, but his was the culminating defense of Reason and anti-superstition as the Age of Enlightenment and Revolution came to a close. Voltaire could take on Rousseau, with his cries for the primacy of instinct, but he died before Kant presented his mighty critiques of reason as the end-all and be-all. In many ways Kant was the first transcendentalist also, bringing the importance of experience to the fore.
Schopenhauer's life is typical of a lot of the great philosophers Durant presents. Solitary and lonely. These guys were not the marrying kind, but Schopenhauer's hatred of women (he rants about how unbeautiful is the female form) is really too much. "World as Will and Idea" does not catch on quickly but does give pause to a world willing to consider God as Law or Will. Spencer is also a tragic story. In his case this is because he saw pretty much his whole philosophy cast aside while he was still alive. Ouch.
Nietzsche goes off on a "God is Dead" superman-tangent that really makes him sound a little psychotic, even before he removed all doubt in later life. The poor guy really lost it big time. Here is a contrast of "muscle morality" in a man who was in fact very frail.
The last two chapters are on Durant's contemporaries; the penultimate chapter is on European philosophers and the last is on American philosophers. The rise from materialism and the turn to pragmatism is a good omen for the direction of philosophy. And the discussion on Bertrand Russell's essentially two philosophical lives - one as a logician before the Great War, and one as a pacifist-progressivist after it, is very illuminating. Finally, the discussion on American philosophers contrast what is essentially two America's - the continental influences of New England and the "truer" American represented in the heartland and West. Santayana speaks for the old and Dewey for the new.
The conclusion as to where America stands (or stood at the time of publishing) and stands today is very telling and gives us perspective on the divided, struggling country we are now:
"But if we find it hard to surpass ourselves, and are sometimes discouraged with our own superficiality, our provincialism, our narrowness and our bigotry, our immature intolerance and our timid violence against innovation and experiment-let us remember that England needed eight hundred years between her foundation and her Shakespeare; and that France needed eight hundred years between her foundation and her Montaigne."
We Americans are young yet, even if we are tied the Occidental tradition that developed us. But we still have much to overcome that Durant identified seventy five years ago.
Rating:
Summary: A MAGNUM OPUS
Review: +++++
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 **double asterisked** 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!!
+++++.
Rating:
Summary: My copy is old, doggeared, and yellowing....
Review: ...I am no great student of philosophy, per se, but, I guess that if I've held on to this as long as I have, I may be one without realizing it. Durant's easy to read, easy to digest paperback massmarket offshoot of some of his more encyclopedic histories and critiques is like Cliff Notes to me, but, of course, without the need to cram for an exam. I have always been impressed with Durant's account of the ancient Greeks Plato and Aristotle, but I find myself reading and rereading the chapters on Voltaire and Schopenhauer. For example, the great conflict between Voltaire and Rousseau was something which put 1770's France in two mindframes--Voltaire's reasoning ("we can by speech and pen make men more enlightened and better") and Rousseau's action-- (What has happened in recent times which sounds just like this?) is one of the areas Durant seems to thrive. There are also excellent histories on Spencer and Kant. There are great passages of critique and quotes which mean different things to me at various readings and like an old friend who has decided to go along with me for my searchings, it has offered some good, good company...
Rating: 
Summary: Socrates was right...
Review: ...when he said that the unexamined life is not worth living. Mr. Durant has summarized for us here the main thoughts of some of philosophy's brightest lights in a lively, well-paced survey of the subject which all students of their own lives would do well to read. This book very quickly gives us the vantage point of more than 2,000 years of thought from which to view our own lives and absymally vacant intellectual times. It's easy to disagree with the Durants with respect to their list (it seems that philosophically Jesus and Paul had an impact), but I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking order in our chaotic times. This is the kind of reading that college professors with an ax to grind will deny you, I know.
Rating:
Summary: it's a great book
Review: a very fine introduction to philosophy.
Rating:
Summary: a magnificent workthat will entice u to read more philosophy
Review: although a renowned scholar will durant and his wife ariel write like no other; with crystal clarity and conviction that make even the most complex and sophistocate ideas available to the "layman." I started this book before i read any philosophy and couldnt put it down! Will is a incredible writer and without any knoweledge whatsoever with philosophy i was able to understand his summaries of even kant! THis book drew me to philosophy so much that i sought out the original (but translated) works of most of the great western philosophers (voltaire, kant, schopenhauer, bergson, russel, etc.) and am now seriously considering becoming a professional philosopher!
Rating:
Summary: Will ignite within you a love for philosophy
Review: 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:
Summary: A comprehensive introduction to Western Philosophy
Review: An appropriate title of the book would be "A Story of Western Philosophy", since Will talks only about it. To be fair to him, he mentions in the forward that this book is by any means not a complete account - just like any book on philosophy which does not mention Sankara etc. would be incomplete.Nevertheless this is a good account of several philosophies and philosophers in one small book. Starting from the Greek, he gives a pretty good fundamental on Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Then the European philosophers are taken one by one and its a treat to read their conflicting philosophies, esp that of Locke and Hume. Will D. is at his sparkling best in the chapter devoted to Voltaire. Its a short and sweet account of a truly incredible genius. I got to understand the real genius of Voltaire much later - after reading Candide. The style of Will D. in capturing the essence of this French revolutionist is really remarkable. I would say that this book is worth for this chapter alone. Chapters on Spinoza, Kant and Schopenhauer also are creditable, though the author admits that its difficult to discuss Kant in one small book (How true!). The detail account of romance between Schopenhauer and Kantian philosophy is also captivating. Contemporary Americans also have been included - George Santayana, William James etc, though I would deem them as "thinkers" rather than philosophers. It also set me wondering why there were no female philosophers in the Western World. Overall, this is a very good introduction to Western Philosophy and one can appreciate the evolution of the same. There are several people who think that Philosophy is a useless subject. They might want to sneak into this book and change their opinion.
Rating:
Summary: A comprehensive introduction to Western Philosophy
Review: An appropriate title of the book would be "A Story of Western Philosophy", since Will talks only about it. To be fair to him, he mentions in the forward that this book is by any means not a complete account - just like any book on philosophy which does not mention Sankara etc. would be incomplete. Nevertheless this is a good account of several philosophies and philosophers in one small book. Starting from the Greek, he gives a pretty good fundamental on Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Then the European philosophers are taken one by one and its a treat to read their conflicting philosophies, esp that of Locke and Hume. Will D. is at his sparkling best in the chapter devoted to Voltaire. Its a short and sweet account of a truly incredible genius. I got to understand the real genius of Voltaire much later - after reading Candide. The style of Will D. in capturing the essence of this French revolutionist is really remarkable. I would say that this book is worth for this chapter alone. Chapters on Spinoza, Kant and Schopenhauer also are creditable, though the author admits that its difficult to discuss Kant in one small book (How true!). The detail account of romance between Schopenhauer and Kantian philosophy is also captivating. Contemporary Americans also have been included - George Santayana, William James etc, though I would deem them as "thinkers" rather than philosophers. It also set me wondering why there were no female philosophers in the Western World. Overall, this is a very good introduction to Western Philosophy and one can appreciate the evolution of the same. There are several people who think that Philosophy is a useless subject. They might want to sneak into this book and change their opinion.
Rating:
Summary: It's a Great Book...
Review: As an introduction to philosophy, this was an easily readable book that covered the philosophies and lives of many philosophers with enough detail to get me into the whole groove of who did what and when. I was left with a clear idea of the context of the described philosophies and I am now interested in directly reading their works.
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