: It has introduced more people to the study of philosophy than perhaps any other book in the 20th century. Exclusive Resources & Collections
: He highlights "vigorous, powerful, and appealing" thinkers—from the foundational figures of Plato and Aristotle to the bold critiques of Nietzsche and the pragmatic wisdom of John Dewey .
“The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.”
Will Durant’s (1926) is the groundbreaking work that took philosophy out of academic "ivory towers" and made it accessible to the general public. It profiles the lives and ideas of major Western thinkers, showing how their theories were shaped by their personal experiences and historical environments. The Journey of the Great Minds story of philosophy by will durant exclusive
Durant defined philosophy as "total perspective"—seeing things sub specie totius (from the perspective of the whole) 0.5.4. 2. The Great Thinkers Covered
2. Francis Bacon and Baruch Spinoza: The Scientific and the Spiritual
Durant's story begins in ancient Greece, where the earliest philosophers sought to understand the mysteries of the universe. He introduces readers to the likes of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, whose ideas about reality, knowledge, and human nature continue to influence contemporary thought. Durant's engaging narrative brings these figures to life, revealing the historical and cultural contexts that shaped their philosophical contributions. : It has introduced more people to the
Durant argues that "science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us wisdom." By reading this exclusive collection of human thought, readers learn to see the "big picture." It teaches us that our current political, social, and personal crises are part of a much longer conversation—one that has been happening for over 2,000 years. The Legacy of Will Durant
Kant's critical philosophy, Durant argues, represents a synthesis of rationalism and empiricism, as the German philosopher sought to establish a new foundation for metaphysics and ethics. Durant's discussion of Kant's categorical imperative and the concept of the "noumenon" provides readers with a rich understanding of the philosopher's enduring influence.
Whether you are a seasoned scholar or a curious beginner, returning to Durant offers a sense of perspective that few modern books can match. It isn't just a book of facts; it’s a manual for a life well-lived. It profiles the lives and ideas of major
Perhaps the most celebrated chapters, Durant navigates the "Critiques" of Kant and the fiery, provocative aphorisms of Nietzsche with equal grace.
| | Philosopher(s) | Central Question | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | I | Plato | How can we build a just society and a just soul? | | II | Aristotle & Greek Science | How do we organize all human knowledge logically? | | III | Francis Bacon | How can science reclaim power from superstition? | | IV | Spinoza | How can a human find peace and joy in a deterministic universe? | | V | Voltaire & the French Enlightenment | How do we fight injustice, superstition, and tyranny? | | VI | Immanuel Kant | What can we truly know (and what must we simply trust )? | | VII | Schopenhauer | Why is life full of suffering, and how can we transcend it? | | VIII | Herbert Spencer | Can Darwinian evolution explain society and ethics? | | IX | Friedrich Nietzsche | How can we create meaning and greatness in a godless world? | | X | Contemporary European Philosophers (Bergson, Croce, Russell) | What new directions does philosophy take in the modern age? | | XI | American Philosophers (James, Dewey, Santayana) | Can philosophy be practical, democratic, and experimental? |
The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant remains one of the most influential books in modern publishing. Released in 1926, it transformed a subject often trapped in academic jargon into a gripping narrative for the general public. This exclusive deep dive explores how a former seminary student turned a series of inexpensive blue booklets into a million-copy bestseller that reshaped popular education. The Spark: From Little Blue Books to Simon & Schuster
Francis Bacon, who championed the scientific method, and Spinoza, who intellectualized pantheism.