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.
The Intertwined Riddle: Unpacking the Problem of Being and Knowledge The fundamental task of philosophy has always been to make sense of reality and our place within it. At its very core lies a profound and persistent problem: how do we reconcile Being – the sheer fact of existence, what is...
The Logic of Definition and Essence: Unveiling the Being of Things The pursuit of understanding has, for millennia, hinged upon our ability to define. What something is – its very being – often eludes us until we can articulate its boundaries, its characteristics, and its fundamental nature. This article delves into the...
Unpacking the Essence: The Concept of Being in Metaphysics The concept of Being stands as perhaps the most fundamental, yet most elusive, element within the vast landscape of metaphysics. It's the ultimate question that underpins all others: what does it mean to be? This article delves into the...
The Unfolding Riddle: Navigating the Philosophical Problem of Change and Becoming Summary: The philosophical problem of change and becoming delves into one of existence's most fundamental paradoxes: how can things genuinely change and yet retain their identity, or even exist at all, across time? From the pre-Socratics who...
The Enigma of Existence: Exploring the Philosophical Concept of Being Summary: The concept of "Being" stands as the most fundamental and elusive inquiry within philosophy, probing the very nature of existence itself. This pillar page delves into Metaphysics' central question, examining how thinkers throughout history have grappled...
The enduring dance between light and shadow, creation and destruction, benevolence and malice – this is the Opposition of Good and Evil in the World. From the earliest myths to the most complex philosophical treatises, humanity has grappled with these fundamental forces, seeking to understand their origins, their nature, and their...
The Fabric of Existence: Unpacking Being in Relation to Quality Summary: At the core of Metaphysics, the study of what exists and the fundamental nature of reality, lies the profound relation between Being and Quality. This article delves into how we understand existence itself, not as a monolithic concept, but...
The Logic of Same and Other in Metaphysics: Navigating Identity and Difference in Being To delve into metaphysics is to confront the most fundamental questions about existence itself. And at the heart of this inquiry, perhaps surprisingly, lies a deceptively simple distinction: the logic of Same and Other. This foundational...
Beyond the Obvious: Unpacking the Philosophical Distinction Between Being and Existence In the vast landscape of philosophy, few concepts are as fundamental, yet as frequently conflated, as Being and Existence. While often used interchangeably in everyday language, philosophy demands a rigorous distinction. Existence typically refers to the empirical, spatio-temporal reality...
Unraveling Reality: The Metaphysical Problem of the One and Many The Metaphysical Problem of the One and Many stands as one of philosophy's most enduring and fundamental inquiries. At its core, it grapples with the perplexing question of how reality can simultaneously be a unified whole (the "...
The Elemental Dance: Unpacking Being and Non-Being in Metaphysics The philosophical inquiry into Being and Non-Being represents an elemental cornerstone of metaphysics, a profound and enduring opposition that has shaped Western thought since its very inception. This article explores how the fundamental tension between existence and non-existence serves not merely...
The Enduring Riddle: Unpacking the Philosophical Definition of Man The question, "What is Man?" is not merely an anthropological query but a profound philosophical journey that has captivated the greatest minds throughout history. From ancient Greek city-states to the existential dilemmas of the modern age, the quest for...
The Immaterial Intellect: Exploring the Concept of Angelic Being The concept of an Angel is one that profoundly bridges Theology and philosophy, challenging our understanding of Being itself. Far from mere mythical figures, angels, particularly within the tradition of the Great Books of the Western World, represent a profound philosophical...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing the Philosophical Problem of Life and Death From the first flicker of consciousness to the ultimate cessation of breath, the twin realities of life and death stand as the most profound and inescapable facts of human existence. Throughout history, philosophy has grappled with these fundamental concepts,...
Unpacking Reality: The Distinction Between Being and Essence A Fundamental Dive into Metaphysics The distinction between Being and Essence is a cornerstone of Metaphysics, a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of reality. Simply put, Being refers to the act of existing—that something is. Essence, on the other hand,...
Unraveling the Fabric of Reality: The Enduring Problem of One and Many By Chloe Fitzgerald The Problem of One and Many stands as one of the most fundamental and enduring challenges in Metaphysics, probing the very nature of Being and how we understand the world. At its core, this philosophical...
Beyond Knowledge: Philosophy's Timeless Quest for Wisdom Philosophy, at its heart, is not merely an academic discipline but a profound, lifelong quest for wisdom. It transcends the accumulation of facts, inviting us instead into a deeper understanding of existence, morality, and the very nature of Being itself. This...
Unveiling the Essence: A Journey into the Metaphysical Concept of Being The question of Being is perhaps the most fundamental and enduring inquiry in the whole of philosophy. It lies at the very heart of Metaphysics, the branch of philosophy dedicated to exploring the fundamental nature of reality, existence, and...
The Concept of the Soul in Ancient Philosophy: A Journey Through Metaphysical Inquiry The concept of the soul stands as one of the most enduring and profound subjects in the annals of human thought. From the earliest whispers of recorded history, ancient philosophers grappled with its nature, purpose, and ultimate...
The Enduring Idea of Form in Metaphysics: Unveiling the Blueprint of Reality A Glimpse Beyond the Fleeting: What is the Idea of Form? In the grand tapestry of philosophical inquiry, few concepts have proven as foundational and enduring as the Idea of Form in Metaphysics. At its heart, this concept...
The Intricate Dance: Unpacking the Problem of Being and Knowledge At the very bedrock of human inquiry lies a profound and persistent problem: the relationship between what is – "Being" – and what we can possibly comprehend or ascertain about it – "Knowledge." This fundamental quandary has animated philosophy...
The Logic of Definition and Essence: Unveiling the Being of an Idea Summary: At the heart of philosophical inquiry lies the profound act of Definition. Far from a mere lexical exercise, the rigorous pursuit of Definition is a fundamental application of Logic, serving as our primary tool to grasp the...
Unveiling the Enigma: The Concept of Being in Metaphysics The Concept of Being stands as the bedrock of Metaphysics, a philosophical inquiry into the fundamental nature of reality. It's the most expansive and elusive idea we can ponder: what does it mean to be? This article delves into...
The Enduring Riddle: Unpacking the Philosophical Problem of Change and Becoming The world around us is in constant flux. From the gentle rustle of leaves to the relentless march of Time itself, change is an undeniable aspect of our experience. Yet, beneath this dynamic surface lies one of philosophy'...
The Enigma of Existence: Unpacking the Philosophical Concept of Being At the very heart of philosophy lies a question so fundamental, so all-encompassing, that it underpins every other inquiry we might make: What is Being? This isn't merely asking what exists, but rather, what it means to be...
The Enduring Duel: Unpacking the Opposition of Good and Evil in the World The concepts of Good and Evil are not mere intellectual constructs; they are fundamental forces that shape our understanding of existence, morality, and the very fabric of the World. From ancient myths to modern ethics, humanity has...
The Fabric of Existence: Being's Intimate Dance with Quality Unveiling the Core Relationship At the heart of metaphysics, where we grapple with the fundamental nature of reality, lies a profound and often perplexing relation: that between Being and Quality. Simply put, this article explores how what something is...
The Logic of Same and Other in Metaphysics Have you ever truly considered the fundamental nature of reality? Not just what things are, but how they are distinct, and yet, in some sense, connected? At the very heart of Metaphysics, the branch of philosophy concerned with the fundamental nature of...
Unpacking the Fundamental: The Distinction Between Being and Existence The intricate tapestry of philosophy is woven with threads of fundamental concepts, and few are as crucial yet often conflated as Being and Existence. At its core, this distinction helps us unravel how we understand reality itself, challenging us to look...
The Metaphysical Problem of the One and Many: Unraveling the Fabric of Being 1. Introduction: A Timeless Conundrum of Existence * Content: This section will open with a clear, direct summary, immediately engaging the reader with the metaphysical heart of the "One and Many" problem. It will explain how...
The Element of Being and Non-Being: A Metaphysical Exploration The fundamental inquiry into existence itself, the very fabric of what is and what is not, forms the bedrock of metaphysics. This supporting article delves into "The Element of Being and Non-Being," exploring how philosophers throughout history have grappled...
The Enduring Quest: Unpacking the Philosophical Definition of Man The question of "What is Man?" stands as one of the oldest and most profound inquiries in philosophy. From the earliest thinkers to contemporary minds, the attempt to forge a comprehensive definition of human Being has been a persistent,...
The Unseen Architects: Exploring the Concept of Angelic Being The concept of angelic being has captivated human imagination for millennia, appearing across cultures and spiritual traditions. Yet, beyond the popular imagery, lies a profound philosophical and theological inquiry into their very nature. This article delves into the philosophical understanding of...
The Philosophical Problem of Life and Death: An Existential Inquiry The twin poles of Life and Death stand as the most profound and inescapable realities of human existence, forming the bedrock of countless philosophical inquiries across millennia. This pillar page delves into the multifaceted philosophical problem of Life and Death,...