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A Brief History of Western Philosophy
- Unraveling the Secrets of Time, the Mind, and Existence
- Narrated by: Jeff Bower
- Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins
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Publisher's summary
Discover the fascinating path that led to today’s understanding of humanity, justice, and freedom in the Western world.
The impact of the Western culture and way of life can be observed in almost every corner of the planet, but where does it come from?
Within this audiobook, you’ll meet the thinkers of the West, from the Greek giants and early theologists to the German idealists of the early 19th century–and beyond.
A goldmine of exciting information is waiting for you. Here are just a few of the topics you will discover:
- A comprehensive and inspiring introduction to the thinkers and thought schools of Western civilization.
- How the Pre-Socratic Ancient Greeks paved the way for Aristotle, Socrates, and other great thinkers.
- The strong influences of Roman and Greek paganism, as well as the the roles of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
- The importance of the Catholic Church (and its nuns and monks) in the story of philosophy during the middle ages.
- How the Renaissance movement provided fresh and outrageous ideas at a time when the strict forces of the Vatican were considered to be the powerhouse of European thinking.
And much more.
You might assume you know the key players and developments that sculpted and cultivated Western philosophy, but there's always more to learn.
The treasure trove of information in this audiobook will help you to improve your knowledge of modern Western civilization and how it changed and shifted over the centuries. And in turn, you’ll understand the world in a whole new way.
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- Length: 40 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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This magisterial history - sure to become the definitive work on the subject - recasts the Enlightenment as a period not solely consumed with rationale and reason, but rather as a pursuit of practical means to achieve greater human happiness.
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The quickest 40 hour audio book I’ve listen to
- By Joey Caster on 04-02-21
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How to Save the West
- Ancient Wisdom for 5 Modern Crises
- By: Spencer Klavan
- Narrated by: Spencer Klavan
- Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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It has been proclaimed many times, but perhaps never more convincingly than now, when every news cycle seems to deliver further confirmation of a world gone mad. Is this the endgame? Author Spencer Klavan is a classicist, with a Ph.D. from Oxford, and a deep understanding of the West. His analysis: The situation is dire. But every crisis we face today, we have faced before. And we can surmount each one. Klavan brings to the West’s defense the insights of Plato, Aristotle, the Bible, and the Founding Fathers to show that in the wisdom of the past lies hope for the future.
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Spectacular! A must read!
- By M.A. on 02-15-23
By: Spencer Klavan
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Seven Types of Atheism
- By: John Gray
- Narrated by: James Langton
- Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
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For a generation now, public debate has been corroded by a shrill, narrow derision of religion in the name of an often vaguely understood “science.” John Gray’s stimulating and enjoyable new book, Seven Types of Atheism, describes the complex, dynamic world of older atheisms, a tradition that is, he writes, in many ways intertwined with and as rich as religion itself.
By: John Gray
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Anaximander
- And the Birth of Science
- By: Carlo Rovelli
- Narrated by: Roy McMillan
- Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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Over two millennia ago, the prescient insights of Anaximander paved the way for cosmology, physics, geography, meteorology, and biology, setting in motion a new way of seeing the world. His legacy includes the revolutionary ideas that the Earth floats in a void, that animals evolved, that the world can be understood in natural rather than supernatural terms, and that universal laws govern all phenomena. In this elegant work, the renowned theoretical physicist Carlo Rovelli brings to light the importance of Anaximander’s overlooked influence on modern science
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Wide ranging case for a Critical Figure in the Evolution of Science
- By Tom on 03-20-23
By: Carlo Rovelli
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Culture and the Death of God
- By: Terry Eagleton
- Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
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- Unabridged
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How to live in a supposedly faithless world threatened by religious fundamentalism? Terry Eagleton, formidable thinker and renowned cultural critic, investigates in this thought-provoking audiobook the contradictions, difficulties, and significance of the modern search for a replacement for God. Lucid, stylish, and entertaining in his usual manner, Eagleton presents a brilliant survey of modern thought that also serves as a timely, urgently needed intervention into our perilous political present.
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Intelligently written and without Grace
- By Gary on 10-25-17
By: Terry Eagleton
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Irrational Man
- A Study in Existential Philosophy
- By: William Barrett
- Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Widely recognized as the finest definition of existentialist philosophy ever written, this book introduced existentialism to America in 1958. Irrational Man begins by discussing the roots of existentialism in the art and thinking of Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal, Baudelaire, Blake, Dostoevski, Tolstoy, Hemingway, Picasso, Joyce, and Beckett. The heart of the book explains the views of the foremost existentialists - Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre. The result is a marvelously lucid definition of existentialism and a brilliant interpretation of its impact.
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heady
- By A. Antine on 07-28-22
By: William Barrett
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Why You Think the Way You Do
- The Story of Western Worldviews from Rome to Home
- By: Glenn S. Sunshine
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Why You Think the Way You Do traces the development of the worldviews that underpin the Western world. Professor and historian Glenn S. Sunshine demonstrates the decisive impact that the growth of Christianity had in transforming the outlook of pagan Roman culture into one that—based on biblical concepts of humanity and its relationship with God—established virtually all the positive aspects of Western civilization.
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"Christian's view of the western world"
- By Bradley on 03-21-10
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Forbidden Faith
- The Secret History of Gnosticism
- By: Richard Smoley
- Narrated by: Bob Souer
- Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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The success of books such as Elaine Pagels's Gnostic Gospels and Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code proves beyond a doubt that there is a tremendous thirst today for finding the hidden truths of Christianity - truths that may have been lost or buried by institutional religion over the last two millennia. In Forbidden Faith, Richard Smoley narrates a popular history of one such truth, the ancient esoteric religion of gnosticism, which flourished between the first and fourth centuries AD, but whose legacy remains even today, having survived secretly throughout the ages.
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An absolute must for understanding Gnosticism.
- By Patriot RN - Doc on 05-12-21
By: Richard Smoley
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How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization
- By: Thomas E. Woods Jr.
- Narrated by: Barrett Whitener
- Length: 7 hrs
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Western civilization has given us modern science, the wealth of free-market economics, the security of law, a sense of human rights and freedom, charity as a virtue, splendid art and music, philosophy grounded in reason, and innumerable other gifts we take for granted.
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Fascinating and informative
- By Michael Kellogg on 09-29-05
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What listeners say about A Brief History of Western Philosophy
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Avadanii I.
- 04-19-23
Well-deserved 5-star review
I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the content and narration. As someone with a general interest in philosophy, I found this audiobook to be an accessible and engaging overview of the key ideas and thinkers that have shaped Western philosophy.
The author does an excellent job of unraveling complex philosophical concepts and presenting them in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, the narrator's performance is top-notch, making for an enjoyable and educational listening experience.
What I appreciate most about this audiobook is its ability to make philosophy relevant and applicable to our daily lives. By exploring the secrets of time, the mind, and existence, the author encourages listeners to engage with the big questions that have puzzled philosophers for centuries.
Is a must-listen for anyone interested in philosophy, history, or intellectual inquiry. I highly recommend it and give it a well-deserved 5-star review.
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- LoveIsMyEgo
- 04-22-23
Interested in History? This is A Must-Listen!
I have always had a strong interest in history, and I think it's fascinating to read about the origins of various religions and how they developed throughout the years. The well-researched and thought-provoking audiobook entitled, "A Brief History of Western Philosophy" by Dominic Haynes covers the most important philosophers and their ideas from ancient Greece to the present day. The author's straightforward and interesting writing style simplifies difficult subjects by highlighting their historical context and development throughout history. As a result, difficult ideas are rendered accessible and simple to grasp. About the narration, the narrator also did a fantastic job that adds to the overall experience. Overall, It's a must-listen for anyone with an interest in philosophy or the history of ideas. Strongly recommended!
Joyce
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- Leigh B
- 04-05-23
Fascinating journey through time.
I love to learn about history and even though I am not religious, I do find hearing about the different religions and where they transpire from fascinating. This brief history of Western Philosophy is a well-researched and thought-provoking audiobook that provides a comprehensive overview of the major philosophers and their ideas from ancient Greece to the modern era. Haynes' clear and engaging writing style emphasises the historical context and development of philosophical thought, making complex concepts accessible and easy to understand. Jeff Bower's excellent narration adds to the overall experience, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in philosophy or the history of ideas. Highly recommended!
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- Nicole
- 04-14-23
Really Interesting
This book covered a ton of historic information when it comes to the great thinkers of the world. It covered quite a variety too. I particularly liked the sections regarding the Catholic church and its background because I was raised Catholic. But it also covered eras in ancient Greece and the Roman empire too.
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- L. Z.
- 04-06-23
Engaging and comprehensive book!
It has an in-depth exploration of history, making me very reflexive. It's thought-provoking, engaging, and comprehensive, and provides a clear timeline of the development of philosophy from its earliest days to the present. The book covers essential topics, such as the relationship between mind and body, morality, the nature of knowledge, and the meaning of life. cover all the main philosophers and the thinking of their times.
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- Caroline
- 04-24-23
How modern thought was formed
Sometimes while having conversations with friends, we come to an impasse where our background assumptions sound similar, but our conclusions about the specific topic are world's apart. This book gave me some sort of explanation why. As time passes, and thought changes, the previous thoughts will often bleed into the present, with some changes. I could see that in reality through this book. It's really a story that begins with the Greeks, touches on Christianity at its infancy all the way to how we think today. It's a really, really good book.
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- Roberto
- 04-04-23
Well resourced book!
This audiobook is very easy to follow. The narrator keeps a good pace and is clear and precise. The author took his time in researching the different schools of thoughts mentioned in this entertaining audiobook. Very engaging and informative. This is a good listen that I highly recommend.
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- sanchezmacott
- 04-25-23
So much knowledge
Don’t let the title fool you. This audiobook gives you many details and knowledge about western philosophy. I learned more by listening to this book than what I learned in my first year of college. I love learning about the Abrahamic religions and how they developed. This book is complete and up to date on information.
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- Hilary S. Ritter
- 04-11-23
Definitely not a textbook!
I will probably listen to this book a few times since there is no way my brain can retain all of the interesting information contained in this book from the first listen. From learning about how the idea of the Atom was proposed in Ancient Greece to how poorly mental health was being dealt with in the 20th century, this book made me curious to learn more about everyone from Plato and Pythagoras to Derrida and Sartre. Definitely worth both reading and listening too as that is the best way to get all of this information planted in your mind. Highly recommend!
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- Travis Warner
- 04-06-23
Great Information!
This book instantly captured my attention in the first few chapters. The author has laid out the material in a clear and easy-to-digest manner. I loved the section on the Catholic church and exploring philosophy throughout history. The narrator also had a great voice for the material. A joy to listen to.
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