Motley Bunch of Philosophers!

These three volumes are a very pleasant easy ride through the philosophies of Plato & Aristotle (in detail), and then Bacon, Spinoza, Voltaire, Schopenhauer, Spencer, Nietzsche and on into 'contemporary' i.e. early 20th century European (Bergson, Croce and Russell) and US philosophers (James & Dewey).

The thing is they are a very odd selection to choose from, and not necessarily the key figures who have shaped Western thinking! However, it is an interesting journey, well told... and well read with authoritative american easiness.

I found myself drifting into a reverie during some bits, and it didn't seem to matter. The book is not a concise set of factoids, but a gentle swim through the enlightenment in some slightly strange company!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

Very good book but the voice is annoying.

My apologies, Grover Gardner, honestly, but please please stop reading audibooks. You sound like a computer program reading out text. It ruined this book for me which, because of your voice, I still have not finished. What I have heard of Durant so far is intelligent, extremely eloquent, very easy to follow and supremely interesting. Hats off to the author, but the voice, oh my god, the voice.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

Interesting but imperfect

The book was first published in 1924. The author tells the history of philosophy through the life and work of philosophers he considers great. The story of each philosopher's life and the summary of his philosophical views and contributions is followed by critique section where the author discusses the legacy of the philosopher's work. Being written in 1924, the chapter on Nietzsche misses any reference to the usage of his teachings made by Nazism. At the same time, probably because of the later editions, it is mentioned that Bergson died in 1941 and Sanatayana in 1952. So there is something chillingly unsatisfying in the chapter on Nietzsche left unupdated, in view of future developments.

I loved that for each philosopher the author discussed the relationship between his personality and his philosophy, how his philosophy is influenced by his personality and is very much its product.

What I did not like was the author's petty and narrow-minded contempt towards mathematics, expressed on many occasions, his inability to accept that pure mathematics can be not less beautiful than philosophical suppositions. More than once he states that logic is "the most boring part of philosophy" (obviously, because of its close relationship with mathematics). According to Will Durant, Bertrand Russel rose to greatness only after he left mathematical logic behind and went into "pure" philosophy.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Will Durant

I like all of his books; they are absolutely different types of history and philosophy books I had to study at the university. He is a great storyteller. I would recommend reading/listening to all his books. He has an exceptional sense of humour.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent

It goes into some depth. It isn't just a history of philosophy, but more about discussing the ideas. It woul benefit from being read several times, as the content is rich.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Learn about the greats - a little dry

This is a great way to learn about the greats

Written before the 2nd world war - but can predict many modern society problems

Voice is dry and writing too equivocal in places - but a classic

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

I will have to listen to this 20 times

This is such an incredible book. It's fascinating, incredibly well written and engaging from start to finish. I liked the reader too. A must for anyone with an interest in Philosphy.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A classic.

This is a wonderful book; beautifully written and narrated. Not only does the author manage to draw you through the metaphysical mazes that these men dream up (and yes, they’re all men) but he also humanises the people, and put their lives into historical and social context. Whether it’s the spark and sizzle of Voltaire, or the repulsive (to me, at least) doctrine that Nietzsche espoused, you can’t help but empathise with them. Thoroughly enjoyable - if at times quite hard work (Kant comes to mind) - I’d recommend this classic work to anyone attempting to find a way into philosophy.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Possibly the greatest overview of Philosophy

Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant. And Audible actually put all the chapter names and headings in!!!! If you want an overview of the philosophy with a wonderful explanation about the philosophy and the philosopher get this book!!!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A fantastic contextual development of epistemology

An excellent work that would serve as both an introduction to some of key themes in Western philosophical thought since the pre-Socratics for the uninitiated or as a consolidation of these key themes to anyone not already an expert in the field. It is not a comprehensive introduction but instead focusses on the development of significant themes. The book works through the historical and political context of the development of epistemological thought and does so (with the justifable exception of Kant!) mostly in the philosophers' own words. What makes the book outstanding is that it deals not only with some of the better known names, such as Plato and Kant, but misses out some of the more obvious names (such as Descartes) to develop their thought through the work of brilliant and often overlooked modern thinkers, such as William James. Excellently read and compelling listening. One of the best summative accounts of philosophy I've come across. If you are at all interested in philosophy you should download this.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful