Story Of Philosophy

‘Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some to be chewed on and digested’ – so said Francis Bacon, a philosopher from 17th century Britain. This book of Will Durant, which carries a chapter about Bacon himself, deserves not just to be chewed and digested, but also to be brought out often as cud and ruminated upon. Such a brilliant work! Having already had a taste of Marcus Aurelius’ ‘Meditations’, I was wondering from where should I take a deeper plunge into the world of philosophy. This book popped up as a relevant recommendation from both Amazon as well as Goodreads and I was only glad to accept it. This book is about the famous philosophers, a brief glimpse into their lives and a detailed discussion on their philosophies. Will Durant takes enough time to also compare them all with one another and rate them on the touchstone of truth and relevance towards the daily lives of humans. Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Francis Bacon, Benedict Spinoza, Friedrich Nietzsche, Arthur Schopenhauer, Immanuel Kant, Herbert Spencer, George Santayana, Bertrand Russell –these are all names that occupy the top echelons of the pantheon of Philosophy and Will Durant helps you have a clear and sufficient view into the world and works of them all. While the book is equally well-written about all the philosophers, and I loved them all, some of them stood out for me. One is Voltaire. Having already read his classic ‘Candide’, I was curious to read more of Voltaire’s works. This book only added to that appetite. It is in the hands of an author to make a subject interesting or insipid. Some of them write so well that they can make even Economics sound interesting, while some of them can bungle up even a fun-filled subject like Astronomy. I am glad that I chose to read Will Durant. Reading his words on Voltaire, I felt a smile cross my face every now and then. Such an amazing sense of humour and grasp on the subject! Voltaire would have nodded his head in approval from inside his grave. Next is Arthur Schopenhauer. You can either admire Schopenhauer OR unstintingly adore the women in your life. If you say that you do them both at once, you're a big LIAR. Such caustic views about the follies of women! Poor Schopenhauer, having got estranged from his mother in the young age, has poured out all that bitterness in his essays on women. Then, Baruch Spinoza - the religious leader who expelled Spinoza from the congregation, cursing that Spinoza's name may be forgotten for all eternity, because of his 'heretic' thoughts, is now remembered only in a negative tinge. But Spinoza's name lives on. The woman who ignored his love, allegedly for a richer suitor, is cast into oblivion. But Spinoza is remembered as one of the greatest minds in the history of mankind. The god-believing ruffian, who attacked Spinoza with a knife because of Spinoza's rational views, well, nobody remembers that thug for anything else 'noteworthy'. Religion, riches, rage - a real quest for wisdom seems to withstand the attacks from all these unworthy pursuits – that is what I learnt from Spinoza’s life. But, none of their stories touched my heart’s chords like Friedrich Nietzsche's did. Born into an influential family, brought up as a pious young man only to suffer a crisis of faith to become an apostate for life, having contempt for the 'masses', believing rather in the power of the evolved few and then that special person - 'superman', believing in the power of Germans to unite Europe culturally and politically, arguing more for the sake of war than for peace, correctly prophesying the occurrence of 'trade wars' across Europe during the early 20th century, not finding love and the warmth of a woman that could have helped heal the fissures in his heart and soul, finally ending up as a wreck both physically and mentally before passing away in peace, here is a man I would love to love and love to hate. Love to love - because his wisdom and seemingly caustic yet correctly derogatory views about the inept masses. Love to hate - because he seems to be the soil on which the thorny, poisonous plant called Hitler seems to have taken root. Love him or hate him, but you cannot ignore him. That's Friedrich Nietzsche for you. All in all, this is a great book for any beginner looking to cut their teeth into philosophy. Of course, the book has many pages of deep discussions on Metaphysics that just went over my head and my eyes could only skim through. But as I already said, this is a book that deserves more than one reading to be enjoyed thoroughly. This book is a worthy gateway into the world of Philosophy!

This is a beautiful book about how we as humans have reasoned our way to understanding the mind. The book starts from the very first great philosopher - Socrates followed by greats in every following century and provides brief biographical information, followed by philosophy of each thinker. The book is a smooth transition from the god question to how the mind works and what subtle changes it anticipates. After reading every philosopher's history and life one understands the concepts espoused by each of them in a clear way. The great work of Kant and Voltaire opened many new cognitive thoughts and interpretations about life, our purpose and existence on this planet. I am intrigued by how different human mind can function when one gets to understand these meditative thoughts about existence, purpose of life. The most striking and mind breaking concept for me has been how the mind works separately from the brain and how each carries out an existence over which one has no control and life looks like a "Self" that exists but its just the constant practise of survival on this planet that has affected my thoughts profoundly.

Wished the margin space was given a bit wider, that said everything else is fine.

Good entry for people with basic knowledge of philosophy, can pick one from there and follow as your own, great way of writing book and it's purpose is very clear to the reader when reading the preface.

Great copy same size of a phone

The book was delivered in satisfactory condition. As for the content, it is an excellent introduction to philosophy. Through his exemplary writing, Durant masterfully captures the reader's attention by striking a precise balance between the philosophies and the underlying (human) forces that shaped them, in the few pages that he has expressed himself through. An invigorating and mind-expanding read indeed.

This was on must read book on my wishlist. Containing thoughts of great thinker in one book has been fantastic job done. This one need multiple read for better understanding...

Good introduction to the key figures