In these modern times of cynicism, worn as a garb of superiority, it has become intellectually fashionable, a pose of small minds, to negate greatness, revealing that our heroes are not heroes at all but mere historical constructs with feet of clay. But, unfortunately, this is a pathological symptom of democracy, where mediocrity must be exalted at all costs to maintain the notion of equality.
Men
and women must be viewed as equal under the eyes of the law and
society, for this is justice. But we are not equal in health, wealth,
intelligence, and talent. What Will Durant has shown us unashamedly is
"...that at the beginning and summit of every age some heroic
genius stands, the voice and index of his time...the guide and
pioneer into the future." (10)
This
necessary little book presents six essays on the most significant thoughts,
minds, and books of all time. The reader may occasionally disagree with his choices, though Durant compellingly argues his intentions from
his informed view as a recognized historian, philosopher, and
teacher.
The text is a snapshot of history, an opportunity to see the past and its significant historical figures through the eyes of a man who made it his life mission to celebrate what it means to be human.
Durant's
humanism and enthusiasm are highly infectious - one comes away from
his texts with a renewed hope that civilization was once great and
can be great again. We have been submerged into Modernism's pessimistic,
fragmented, and distilled perspectives for far too long.
Durant's optimism slices like Excaliber through our fashionable
cynicism about the world; he is the intellectual white knight,
celebrating the miracle of existence and the endless potential of
humanity.
At the moment, the world is filled with uncertainty and pessimism; therefore, this text is highly recommended, for it might cast a glimmer of hope and a renewed optimism about the world, the future, and us.
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