The Story of Philosophy

by Will Durant
The Story of Philosophy cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Technical:
  • ID: 241
  • Added: 2025-09-06
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9780486850801
  • Publisher: Courier Dover Publications
  • Published: 2022-04-05
  • Formats: 20
  • Reviews: 4
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Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99–£14.99

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Will Durant offers an accessible yet rigorous exploration of key Western philosophers, tracing their lives, ideas, and the historical contexts that shaped them. The book humanizes these thinkers by weaving biographical details with their philosophical doctrines, making complex ideas approachable and relevant to everyday concerns. The Story of Philosophy covers major figures from Socrates and Plato through Friedrich Nietzsche, including chapters on European and American philosophers of the early 20th century. Durant emphasizes the interconnection of their ideas and how one philosopher influenced the next, providing readers with a broad yet personal overview of the evolution of Western philosophy.

Reviews
app.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
enlightening 4.50

The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant is a comprehensive exploration of philosophical thought, highlighting the importance of philosophy in providing wisdom beyond scientific knowledge. The reviewer appreciates the book's synthesis of philosophical ideas and its emphasis on the development of human thought and behavior.

The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant is a journey through the evolution of philosophical ideas, from ancient Greece to modern times. The reviewer finds the book enlightening, particularly in its discussion of how philosophy offers wisdom that science alone cannot provide. Durant's synthesis of philosophical thought is praised for its depth and clarity, making complex ideas accessible. The book also delves into the personal lives and influences of great philosophers, adding a human touch to their intellectual contributions. The reviewer appreciates the book's emphasis on the importance of education, the role of philosophy in governance, and the development of human behavior. Overall, it's a thoughtful and engaging exploration of philosophy's impact on human thought and society.

Quick quotes

    Analysis belongs to science, and gives us knowledge; philosophy must provide a synthesis for wisdom.

    Science without philosophy, facts without perspective and valuation, cannot save us from havoc and despair.

    Philosophy begins when one learns to doubt — particularly to doubt one’s cherished beliefs, one’s dogmas and one’s axioms.

tigerpapers.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
enlightening 4.00

The reviewer appreciates Will Durant's 'The Story of Philosophy' as a comprehensive introduction to Western philosophy, highlighting its accessible approach and the author's balanced presentation of philosophers' lives and ideas. They found the book Eurocentric but valuable as a starting point for further exploration, particularly enjoying the sections on Greek philosophers and Nietzsche.

The reviewer has a personal connection to 'The Story of Philosophy,' having owned a battered copy for years. They appreciate Will Durant's work as a gateway to understanding Western philosophy, noting its origins as educational pamphlets and its eventual success. The book profiles nine major philosophers, providing both their biographies and critiques of their work. The reviewer found the sections on Greek philosophers and Nietzsche particularly engaging, while admitting some difficulty with Kant and Schopenhauer. They acknowledge the book's Eurocentric focus but value it as a starting point for further study, planning to explore other philosophers mentioned, such as George Santayana, and supplement their reading with Bertrand Russell's 'A History of Western Philosophy'.

Quick quotes

    I loved seeing how the Greek philosophers built on each other’s viewpoints, and how the seeds of modern thought were sown from Socrates through to Plato and Aristotle.

    Durant offers a good starting point. Yes, this book misses a lot, but I think it would dovetail nicely with others, especially as I continue my exploration.

    I’d dearly love to say more but I admit freely that my mind is very much still like a leaky sieve when it comes to retaining the mechanics of the various philosophies.

nateliason.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
mixed 3.50

The Story of Philosophy offers a charming and personal introduction to great historical thinkers, though some reviewers found Durant's approach narrow and outdated. The book is praised for making complex ideas accessible, but criticized for its limited scope and occasional cultural insensitivity.

The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant provides a unique and engaging introduction to some of the greatest historical thinkers. Reviewers appreciate Durant's charming writing style and his ability to make complex philosophical ideas accessible to a general audience. The book is particularly praised for its personal and engaging approach, making the lives and contributions of philosophers feel relatable. However, several reviewers criticize the book for its narrow focus, particularly its omission of significant philosophical traditions and its limited perspective on non-Western philosophy. Some also find Durant's occasional cultural insensitivity jarring, such as his comments about India's contribution to philosophy. Despite these flaws, many find the book a valuable starting point for those new to philosophy, offering a broad overview and sparking interest in further reading.

Quick quotes

    Durant's writing is charming in many places, and I had a good chortle over his frequent gibes over whether this or that way of thinking about the world was particulary German, or particularly French etc etc.

    Durant completely bypasses all of history from Aristotle, who lived around 300 BC, until Spinoza who lived around 1600 AD.

    The book is made for those who don't have a pre-existing background which is surprisingly hard to find.

nerinedorman.blogspot.com · Unknown · 2013-11-18
engaging 4.50

The reviewer finds Will Durant's 'The Story of Philosophy' to be an engaging and accessible introduction to philosophy, focusing on key thinkers and their ideas. They appreciate Durant's ability to humanize philosophy and make it enjoyable for non-academic readers, though they note his selective approach to philosophers.

The reviewer highlights Will Durant's 'The Story of Philosophy' as a compelling and readable introduction to philosophy, particularly for those new to the subject. They appreciate Durant's focus on key philosophers and his ability to present complex ideas in an engaging and humanized manner. The reviewer notes that Durant's approach is selective, focusing on a smaller group of thinkers rather than providing a comprehensive history. They particularly enjoy the chapter on Voltaire and find Durant's purpose of synthesizing knowledge and culture for the common reader to be successful. The reviewer also compares Durant's work favorably with Bertrand Russell's 'A History of Western Philosophy', noting that both works aim to spread wisdom through knowledge and culture. They suggest that 'The Story of Philosophy' is an excellent starting point for beginners, followed by Russell's more critical and profound work.

Quick quotes

    This book is not a complete history of philosophy. It is an attempt to humanize knowledge by centering the story of speculative thought around certain dominant personalities.

    What Plato lacks above all, perhaps, is the Heracleitean sense of flux and change; he is too anxious to have the moving picture of this world become a fixed and still tableau.

    And now that these unpleasant necessities are candidly written down, it remains to do willing homage to the power and profundity of Plato’s conception.

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