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.
Unraveling the Fabric: The Intimate Relation Between Cause and Change Summary: At the heart of our understanding of reality lies an inseparable relation between cause and change. Simply put, a cause is the antecedent event, force, or condition that brings about an effect, while change is the observable manifestation of...
The Unseen Hand: Unpacking Providence and Fate in Theology The intricate relationship between Providence and Fate stands as one of theology's most enduring and perplexing questions. At its heart lies the tension between a benevolent, omnipotent God actively involved in the world, and the seemingly predetermined course of...
The Immutable Principle: Exploring the Universal Law of Cause and Effect The Universal Law of Cause and Effect stands as one of the most fundamental principles governing our understanding of reality, asserting that every event, or effect, is the inevitable outcome of a preceding event, or cause. This bedrock law,...
The assertion that desire acts as the fundamental cause of sin is a profound and enduring theme woven throughout the fabric of Western philosophy, particularly evident in the Great Books of the Western World. From ancient Greek wisdom to patristic theology and medieval scholasticism, thinkers have grappled with how our...
The Ethical Implications of Cloning: Replicating Life, Questioning Humanity The advent of cloning technology, from the groundbreaking work with Dolly the sheep to the ongoing advancements in genetic engineering, has thrust humanity into a profound ethical crucible. What began as a scientific marvel quickly evolved into a philosophical challenge, forcing...
The Labyrinthine Interplay: Deconstructing the Concept of God's Will and Cause The Concept of God's Will and Cause stands as one of the most enduring and complex pillars of philosophical and theological inquiry. From the ancient cosmologies to modern existential dilemmas, thinkers have grappled with understanding...
The Inexorable Dance: Unpacking the Universal Law of Cause and Effect The Universal Law of Cause and Effect stands as one of the most fundamental and enduring principles in human thought, asserting that every effect has a preceding cause, and every cause will inevitably lead to an effect. This law...
Unraveling the Fabric of Reality: The Problem of Causality in Metaphysics The universe, as we experience it, is a ceaseless flow of events. Things happen, and other things follow. A thrown stone shatters a window; a spark ignites a fire; a thought precedes an action. This seemingly intuitive connection, where...
The Labyrinthine Concept of God's Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The concept of God's Will stands as one of the most profound and enduring subjects within philosophy and theology. It is a notion that has shaped civilizations, inspired profound acts of faith, and fueled centuries of rigorous...
Unraveling the Labyrinth: The Philosophical Causes of Sin and Moral Error We, as thinking beings, often find ourselves grappling with a fundamental question: why do we err? Why do we, despite our capacity for reason and our innate longing for what is good, frequently succumb to sin and moral transgression?...
The Unseen Threads: Unraveling the Principle of Cause and Effect in Mechanics Summary: The Principle of Cause and Effect is a cornerstone of our understanding of the universe, particularly within the realm of mechanics. It posits that every event, or effect, is the inevitable outcome of a preceding event, or...
The Inescapable Link: Desire as the Genesis of Sin From the earliest philosophical inquiries to the profound theological treatises, the vexing question of sin has consistently found its roots in the labyrinthine corridors of human desire. Across the vast intellectual landscape of the Great Books of the Western World, desire...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Navigating Fate, Free Will, Necessity, and Contingency A Perennial Philosophical Duel The age-old debate between Fate and Free Will cuts to the very core of what it means to be human. Are our lives meticulously scripted, every event predetermined by an unyielding Necessity, or do we possess...
