Will Durant's The Story of Philosophy is praised for its engaging and accessible writing, making complex philosophical ideas comprehensible to a broad audience. Readers appreciate its historical context and concise overviews of key philosophers. Criticisms include occasional oversimplification and lack of depth in certain areas. Overall, it is a valuable introductory resource.

Readers who would enjoy The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant are intellectually curious individuals fascinated by the history of human thought. They appreciate accessible yet comprehensive explorations of philosophical ideas. Similar readers might enjoy Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy or Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time.

The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant endeavors to make Western philosophy accessible by tracing its development from Ancient Greece to the early 20th century. Durant begins with Socrates and his quest for knowledge beyond discredited authorities, continues through Plato, Aristotle, and the Roman and Medieval periods, and culminates in the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and the contemporary thoughts of Bertrand Russell and John Dewey. The text contains androcentric language, exclusive Western perspectives, and derogatory remarks about other cultures.

Informative / Inspirational / Contemplative / Nostalgic

- The Story of Philosophy was published in 1926 and became an unexpected bestseller, selling over two million copies in its first fifteen years.
- Will Durant initially wrote essays on philosophers as part of a series for his class and later compiled them into The Story of Philosophy due to their popularity.
- The success of The Story of Philosophy helped popularize philosophical works for general audiences, making it one of the first books to make complex ideas accessible to the public.

**Will Durant**  
An American historian and writer known for popularizing philosophy and history, author of several influential works and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize.

**Chaya Kaufman (Ariel Durant)**  
Will Durant's wife and collaborator, coauthoring many of his books, and key contributor to the research that helped elevate their joint literary projects.

Will Durant

Adult

Reference/Text Book

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Story of Philosophy reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Story of Philosophy | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Story of Philosophy and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Story of Philosophy Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Story of Philosophy Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Chapter 1

The Story of Philosophy Introduction-Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 2 The Story of Philosophy Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 3 The Story of Philosophy Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 4 The Story of Philosophy Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 5 The Story of Philosophy Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 6 The Story of Philosophy Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 7 The Story of Philosophy Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 8 The Story of Philosophy Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 9 The Story of Philosophy Chapter 9 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 10 The Story of Philosophy Chapter 10 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 11 The Story of Philosophy Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

The Story of Philosophy Key Figures

theme

Themes

The Story of Philosophy Themes

Index of Terms

The Story of Philosophy Index of Terms

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

The Story of Philosophy Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Story of Philosophy Essay Topics

The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the Greater Philosophers

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Story of Philosophy?

Reading Age

Book Details