
Audio only
A Classic Collection of Philosophical Essays
Spinoza, Immanuel Kant, Schopenhauer, Herbert Spencer, Friedrich Nietzsche, Bertrand Russell and many othersBy Will DurantNarrated by Mark Bowen, Peter CoatesLength22h 55m
About this audiobook
"A Classic Collection of Philosophical Essays: Spinoza, Immanuel Kant, Schopenhauer, Herbert Spencer, Friedrich Nietzsche, Bertrand Russell and Many Others" by Will Durant offers an insightful and comprehensive anthology of essays on some of the most influential philosophers in Western thought. This collection captures the essence of each thinker's contributions to philosophy, making complex ideas accessible and engaging for a broad audience.
Spinoza: Durant explores Spinoza's pantheism and his view of a universe governed by natural laws, presenting his ideas on ethics, politics, and the nature of reality.
Immanuel Kant: The essays delve into Kant's critical philosophy, including his revolutionary ideas on metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, particularly his notion of the categorical imperative.
Arthur Schopenhauer: Durant examines Schopenhauer's concept of the "will" as the driving force behind all existence and his pessimistic view of life, highlighting his influence on later existential and psychoanalytic thought.
Herbert Spencer: The collection covers Spencer's application of evolutionary theory to philosophy, sociology, and ethics, emphasizing his ideas on progress and the "survival of the fittest."
Friedrich Nietzsche: Durant discusses Nietzsche's critique of traditional morality, his concept of the "Übermensch," and his declaration of the "death of God," exploring how these ideas challenge conventional beliefs and promote individual self-overcoming.
Bertrand Russell: The anthology includes essays on Russell's contributions to logic, analytic philosophy, and his advocacy for scientific rationalism and social reform.
Through vivid biographical sketches and clear expositions of their key ideas, Durant brings these philosophers' thoughts to life. "A Classic Collection of Philosophical Essays" is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the foundational concepts and enduring questions that have shaped Western philosophy.
Contents:
1. Plato
2. Aristotle and Greek Science
3. Francis Bacon
4. Spinoza
5. Voltaire and the French Enlightenment
6. Immanuel Kant and German Idealism
7. Schopenhauer
8. Herbert Spencer
9. Friedrich Nietzsche
10. Contemporary European Philosophers: Bergson, Croce and Bertrand Russell
11. Contemporary American Philosophers: Santayana, James and Dewey
Audiobook details
GenrePhilosophy, Psychology
Length22 hrs 55 mins
Narrated byMark Bowen, Peter Coates
FormatAudiobook
Publish dateAug 12, 2024
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1A Classic Collection of Philosophical Essays - Intro
2Plato - Intro
3I. The Context of Plato
4II. Socrates
5III. The Preparation of Plato
Show all chaptersShow less
6IV. The Ethical Problem
7V. The Political Problem
8VI. The Psychological Problem
9VII. The Psychological Solution
10VIII. The Political Solution
11IX. The Ethical Solution
12X. Criticism (12)
13Aristotle and Greek Science - Intro
14Aristotle and Greek Science. Preface
15I. The Historical Background
16II. The Work of Aristotle
17III. The Foundation of Logic
18IV. The Organization of Science
19V. Metaphysics and the Nature of God
20VI. Psychology and the Nature of Art
21VII. Ethics and the Nature of Happiness
22VIII. Politics
23IX. Criticism(23)
24X. Later Life and Death
25Francis Bacon - Intro
26Francis Bacon. Preface
27I. From Aristotle to the Renaissance
28II. The Political Career of Francis Bacon
29III. The Essays
30IV. The Great Reconstruction. Part 1
31IV. The Great Reconstruction. Part 2-3
32V. Criticism(32)
33VI. Epilogue
34Spinoza - Intro
35I. Historical and Biographical. Part 1. The Odyssey of the Jews
36I. Historical and Biographical. Part 2. The Education of Spinoza
37I. Historical and Biographical. Part 3. Excommunication
38I. Historical and Biographical. Part 4. Retirement and Death
39II. The Treatise on Religion and the State
40III. The Improvement of the Intellect
41IV. The Ethics
42IV. The Ethics. Part 1. Nature and God
43IV. The Ethics. Part 2. Matter and Mind
44IV. The Ethics. Part 3. Intelligence and Morals
45IV. The Ethics. Part 4. Religion and Immortality
46V. The Political Treatise
47VI. The Influence of Spinoza
48Voltaire and the French Enlightenment - Intro
49I. Paris: Œdipe
50II. London: Letters on the English