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A review by professor_x
The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the Greater Philosophers by Will Durant
5.0
Finally I have finished this behemoth of a book -- not necessarily of physical size but because of the weight of the thought and knowledge inscribed within. The amount of wisdom and enlightenment that Durant crams into this work is phenomenal. So many different schools of thinking are introduced within these pages.
Reading The Story of Philosophy is the equivalent of Olympic training for the mind. As you read your way through the chapters, one perceives change occurring in one's own thought. Dogmatic beliefs are shattered. So many of these differing philosophies beg contemplation. Deep contemplation in return brings about more questions that begs the reader to pick the source texts of these learned men and to read their own words; to decrypt, solve, and pick apart their thoughts so that in return they sharpen and brighten your own.
This was for me a fantastic introduction to the world of Philosophy. I've read other "Philosophy 101" books but Will Durant's opus was supreme. It was a challenging read but a beneficial one. Challenging not so much in language but in the deciphering of the ideas and thoughts of these thinkers. That deciphering is the key to it all. To think and contemplate, to examine and observe, to dive deeply into one's intellect is truly the sweet fruit of life.
Reading The Story of Philosophy is the equivalent of Olympic training for the mind. As you read your way through the chapters, one perceives change occurring in one's own thought. Dogmatic beliefs are shattered. So many of these differing philosophies beg contemplation. Deep contemplation in return brings about more questions that begs the reader to pick the source texts of these learned men and to read their own words; to decrypt, solve, and pick apart their thoughts so that in return they sharpen and brighten your own.
This was for me a fantastic introduction to the world of Philosophy. I've read other "Philosophy 101" books but Will Durant's opus was supreme. It was a challenging read but a beneficial one. Challenging not so much in language but in the deciphering of the ideas and thoughts of these thinkers. That deciphering is the key to it all. To think and contemplate, to examine and observe, to dive deeply into one's intellect is truly the sweet fruit of life.