The History of Western Philosophy
In "The History of Western Philosophy," Bertrand Russell offers an extensive overview of Western philosophical thought from the pre-Socratic era to the early 20th century. He examines key philosophers and their contributions, discussing their ideas in the context of the social and political landscapes of their times. The work is both a historical account and a critical analysis, reflecting Russell's own philosophical views.
19 curated highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The History of Western Philosophy, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.
The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
Philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of any definite answers to its questions, but rather for the sake of the questions themselves.
Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by education.
To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.
The most important thing in life is to have a great aim, and the determination to attain it.
All movements go too far.
The place of science is in the real world, not in the realm of pure speculation.
Knowledge can be obtained only by intellectual effort.
We are not only a part of the universe; we are the universe.
Philosophy should be an adventure, not a destination.
Philosophy is to be studied, not for the sake of any definite answers to its questions, since no definite answers can, as a rule, be known, but rather for the sake of the questions themselves.
The greatest problem for mankind is not the problem of evil, but the problem of ignorance.
Science may set limits to knowledge, but should not set limits to imagination.
Most men would rather die than think. Many do.
To be wholly devoted to the pursuit of truth is a hard task, but it is the only thing that can lead to true happiness.
The man who has no imagination has no wings.
Knowledge is not a matter of knowing something; it is a matter of understanding the implications of what we know.
Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language.
The most important thing in life is to know what is important.