Publisher Description
"The Story of Philosophy: Spinoza" by Will Durant provides an engaging and comprehensive exploration of the life and philosophy of Baruch Spinoza, one of the most influential thinkers of the 17th century. Durant delves into Spinoza's biography, detailing his upbringing in a Portuguese Jewish family in the Netherlands, his excommunication from the Jewish community of Amsterdam due to his radical ideas, and his life of modesty and philosophical inquiry as a lens grinder.
The book offers a clear and accessible explanation of Spinoza's key philosophical concepts, including his pantheistic view that God and nature are one and the same. Spinoza's philosophy posits that everything is determined by natural laws, challenging the notion of free will. Durant also explores Spinoza's ideas on ethics, politics, and the pursuit of human happiness through rational understanding and self-awareness.
Durant's narrative captures the essence of Spinoza's revolutionary thoughts and their lasting impact on modern philosophy. By presenting Spinoza's complex ideas in an engaging and understandable manner, Durant honors the legacy of a philosopher whose reflections on reality, freedom, and ethics continue to shape contemporary thought. This book is essential reading for those seeking to grasp the foundational elements of Western philosophy and Spinoza's enduring intellectual contributions.
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About Will Durant
Will Durant (1885–1981) was an award-winning American writer, historian, and philosopher. He and his wife were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1968 for Rousseau and Revolution, and he was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Durant spent over forty years writing the critically acclaimed eleven-volume Story of Civilization, the later volumes with the help of his wife, Ariel. He sought
to revitalize history by unifying and humanizing the great body of historical
knowledge, which had become voluminous and fragmented into esoteric
subcategories. He also strove to bring
philosophy to the common man. Durant was a champion of human rights, social reform, and the brotherhood of man long before they became well-known issues.
About Peter Coates
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Effing Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Princess Diana, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson, and received an Edgar Award, nine Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.