Bertrand Russell's book, "The History Of Western Philosophy," Simon & Schuster 1945, is mostly an extended info-mercial advertising his other books on philosophy about his own "school."
He goes through and surveys as well as comments on all the leading philosophers that have gone before him however, from Thales (624 - 546 BC) the Greek, to John Dewey (1859 - 1952 CE) the American.
In the last chapter of the book, Russell observes the following in his commentary:
- "In abandoning a part of its dogmatic pretentions, philosophy does not cease to suggest an inspired way of life."
- "I do not myself believe that philosophy can either prove or disprove the truth of religious dogmas, but ever since Plato, most philosophers have considered it part of their business to produce proofs of immortality and of the existence of God."
- "Philosophy throughout its history has consisted of two parts, inharmoniously blended -- on the one hand a theory as to the nature of
the world -- on the other an ethical or political doctrine as to the best way of living."
His book is like all other surveys -- very long and tedious. But if you like reading philosophy, it is a great tour though the world history of philosophy. He also ads personal notes on the lives of the various philosophers themselves, what they did for a living, how they spent their time, where they got their endowments from. I got my copy of the book in stock off the philosophy shelves at Barnes & Noble Booksellers.
I completely agree with Russell on these points, and for myself philosophy has taught me how to think, how not to think, what to think, what not to think, how to live, and how not to live.
This has freed my mind from the Catholic and Protestant dogmas of my parents.
What say you?