Philosophy and the Social Problem

"Philosophy and the Social Problem" by Will Durant is an essay written in the early 20th century looking at the intersection between what philosophers thought and major social problems. The work wants the reader to understand how philosophy has historically been used to address social problems while making the case for its continued use to help improve society. Durant explains that philosophy has always been used to explore social issues and can still be used to understand challenges, like human suffering. Durant then shares philosophical thought from historical figures like Socrates, Plato, and Nietzsche, with the goal to give readers a historical perspective to better understand present-day issues. By looking at the relationship between philosophy from the past and social challenges of the present, Durant hopes to give the reader a better way to think about today's problems.