Philosophy and the Social Problem

Will Durant (1885–1981) was a visionary American historian and philosopher who dedicated his long life to the democratization of knowledge. He believed that the vast treasures of human thought and history should not remain locked within the ivory towers of academia, but should be accessible to everyone. Armed with a profound, humanistic perspective and an exceptionally graceful writing style, Durant successfully translated complex philosophical systems and sprawling historical epochs into narratives that resonated with a global audience.

Alongside his wife and lifelong collaborator, Ariel Durant, he spent over five decades crafting one of the most ambitious literary undertakings in history: an eleven-volume survey of Western civilization. Together, they navigated the rise and fall of empires, the birth of religions, and the evolution of science, always focusing on the human spirit behind the dates and decrees. Their immense contribution to literature and education was recognized with the Pulitzer Prize in 1968 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, cementing the Durants' legacy as the preeminent chroniclers of the human story.

Essential Reading

• The Story of Philosophy (1926): The runaway bestseller that made Durant a household name, offering brilliant, accessible profiles of the world’s greatest thinkers from Plato to Nietzsche.

The Story of Civilization (1935–1975): A monumental eleven-volume series, co-authored with Ariel Durant, that masterfully charts the entire course of human history. Notable volumes include Our Oriental Heritage and the Pulitzer-winning Rousseau and Revolution.

• The Lessons of History (1968): A concise, powerful distillation of the recurring themes and patterns the Durants observed while spending half a century studying the past.
• The Pleasures of Philosophy (1929): An engaging exploration of contemporary life and ethics, where Durant applies philosophical wisdom to the practical problems of the modern world.
• Fallen Leaves (2014): A poignant, posthumously published collection of essays that serves as a final, deeply personal reflection on life, love, and mortality.