The Great Books of the Western Canon, organized by Mortimer J. Adler in the Syntopicon, span 102 enduring ideas—ranging from Truth, Beauty, and Justice to Democracy, Love, and God. These categories trace the intellectual tradition of the West, connecting philosophy, literature, history, science, and theology. Together, they map the recurring questions and principles shaping human thought across centuries.
Philosophy: The Enduring Pursuit of Wisdom At its heart, philosophy is not merely an academic discipline or a collection of dusty treatises; it is, quite literally, the love of wisdom. From its ancient Greek origins, "philo-sophia" has called humanity to a deeper engagement with existence, urging us beyond...
The Metaphysical Concept of Being: Unpacking Existence The concept of Being stands as the foundational cornerstone of Metaphysics, the branch of philosophy dedicated to understanding the fundamental nature of reality. It is an inquiry into what it means for something "to be," exploring not just existence itself, but...
The Enduring Riddle of Flux: Navigating the Philosophical Problem of Change and Becoming The world around us is in constant motion, a ceaseless dance of alteration. Leaves unfurl, seasons turn, empires rise and fall, and we ourselves age from infancy to old age. Yet, amidst this undeniable change, we perceive...
The Unfolding Mystery: A Deep Dive into the Philosophical Concept of Being The question of "Being" stands as the bedrock of all philosophical inquiry, a concept so fundamental yet so elusive that it has captivated thinkers for millennia. At its core, the philosophical concept of Being asks: What...
The Enduring Schism: Grappling with the Opposition of Good and Evil in the World The World as we experience it is a tapestry woven with threads of both light and shadow, joy and sorrow, creation and destruction. At the heart of this complex fabric lies the profound and persistent opposition...
The Indivisible Fabric: Understanding Being in Relation to Quality Summary: The concepts of Being and Quality are foundational to Metaphysics, representing not merely distinct philosophical categories but an intricate, interdependent relation. While Being refers to the fundamental fact of existence – that something is – Quality describes the intrinsic characteristics, properties, or...
The Logic of Same and Other in Metaphysics The Enduring Riddle of Identity and Distinction At the heart of Metaphysics, the branch of philosophy dedicated to understanding the fundamental nature of reality, lies the profound and often perplexing relationship between the "Same" and the "Other." This...
The Enduring Quest: Unpacking the Philosophical Definition of Man The question "What is Man?" is arguably one of philosophy's most profound and persistent inquiries, far transcending simple biological classification. It delves into the very essence of our Being, seeking to define not merely our physical form,...
The Concept of Angelic Being: A Philosophical Inquiry Summary: The concept of an angelic being transcends popular imagery, offering a profound philosophical and theological lens through which to explore the nature of existence, intellect, and the divine. Drawing heavily from the Great Books of the Western World, particularly the works...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Distinction Between Being and Essence At the heart of Metaphysics, that grand inquiry into the fundamental nature of reality, lies a distinction both subtle and profound: the difference between being and essence. Simply put, being refers to the sheer fact of existence – that something is....
The Enduring Riddle: Navigating the Problem of One and Many The Problem of One and Many stands as one of philosophy's most ancient and persistent puzzles, a fundamental question in Metaphysics that probes the very fabric of reality. At its core, it asks how a multitude of individual,...
The Enduring Enigma: Exploring the Concept of the Soul in Ancient Philosophy The concept of the soul stands as one of the most persistent and profound inquiries in the history of philosophy. From the earliest pre-Socratic thinkers to the towering figures of Plato and Aristotle, ancient philosophers grappled with its...
