In this episode of CSS Breakdown: Book by Book, Season 04, Episode 15, we tackle the profound and often grim reality of conflict as explored in the 'On War' chapter of Will Durant's Fallen Leaves. Join us as we dissect the historical panorama of warfare, from ancient battles with primitive tools to modern global conflicts. We'll delve into Durant's exploration of war's fundamental causes, tracing them back to basic human instincts like acquisition, fighting, action, and association, which can evolve into a lust for power. The episode will also cover the biological roots of conflict, such as protective fertility leading to group hunger and the development of armament, alongside the economic drivers like rivalry for land and markets, exacerbated by the Industrial Revolution. Furthermore, we'll discuss the political ambitions of states, driven by self-preservation and self-extension, and the constantly shifting balance of power among nations. Finally, we'll examine Durant's skeptical view on traditional peace efforts like vague appeals to conscience or past international bodies, and his call for a more realistic, specific, and detailed approach to mitigating conflict through dedicated international commissions.

Why are we so profoundly drawn to the opposite sex, and what does it reveal about our nature and our civilization?

Join us on CSS Breakdown: Book by Book, Season 04, Episode 14, as we explore the profound insights from the "On Sex" chapter of Will Durant's 'Fallen Leaves'. This episode unravels Durant's reflections on the enduring power of sexual infatuation, questioning why men react almost as "Pavlovian automata" to sexual stimuli. We'll examine how concealment can intensify physical attraction and delve into the evolutionary imperative of the sexual instinct, noting its intensity, surpassed only by the quest for food, and its dominance once basic needs are met. The discussion will cover how civilizations have historically labored to control this "swelling surge" through institutions like marriage, and how Durant posits that sexual sensitivity is "half the zest of life," being the likely origin of our sense of beauty and the "richest roots of art". Finally, we'll explore Durant's proposed "panacea": the development of intelligence to temper instincts with reason, offering a path to retain the stimulus of sexual feeling while ensuring "a decent respect for public order" and achieving the "quiet content of lasting love"

Join us on CSS Breakdown: Book by Book, Season 04, Episode 13, as we explore the deeply reflective chapter "On Women" from Will Durant's 'Fallen Leaves'. In this episode, we unpack Durant's passionate 'hymn in praise of women,' delving into his unique perspective on beauty, which he claims often transcends physical desire. We'll discuss how Durant acknowledges historical criticisms of women while ardently defending their virtues and the immense burdens they carry, from the complexities of adolescence and choosing a partner to the sacred responsibility of motherhood. Discover his admiration for the diverse allure of women across cultures and his profound conviction that motherhood reveals life's ultimate meaning and a form of divine presence