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 Divine Blueprint: Unraveling Providence and Fate in Theological Thought The theological concept of Providence, often conflated with Fate, explores God's purposeful governance of the universe and all events within it. Far from an impersonal, predetermined chain, Providence posits a benevolent, intelligent God as the ultimate Cause and...
The Uncaused Origin: Unpacking the Concept of God as First Cause The human mind, in its relentless pursuit of understanding, inevitably confronts the fundamental question of existence: Why is there something rather than nothing? For millennia, philosophers and theologians alike have grappled with this profound inquiry, often converging on the...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Deconstructing the Concept of God's Will and Cause Summary: The concept of God's will and God's cause stands as a towering edifice within Western philosophy and theology, shaping our understanding of existence, morality, and destiny. This pillar page delves into the...
The Unseen Threads: Unraveling the Law of Cause and Effect The Law of Cause and Effect is arguably the most fundamental principle guiding our understanding of reality. It posits that every event, or "effect," is the inevitable result of one or more prior events, or "causes."...
The Labyrinth of Our Own Making: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Error This article explores the enduring philosophical question of the cause of sin and moral error, moving beyond simplistic explanations to delve into the intricate workings of human will, reason, and duty. Drawing upon seminal ideas from...
The Unseen Hand: Unraveling the Principle of Cause and Effect in Mechanics The Principle of Cause and Effect stands as a cornerstone not only of scientific inquiry but also of philosophical thought, profoundly shaping our understanding of the universe, especially within the realm of Mechanics and Physics. At its core,...
The Primal Spark: Desire as the Cause of Sin A Summary of the Human Predicament From the earliest philosophical inquiries to the profound theological treatises of the Christian era, a recurring theme emerges: desire, in its unchecked or misdirected form, often stands as the fundamental cause of sin. This article...
The Ethical Labyrinth of Cloning: A Philosophical Inquiry The advancement of science often propels humanity into uncharted ethical territory, forcing a re-examination of fundamental concepts like life and death, identity, and what it means to be human. Cloning, a technology that promises both profound therapeutic benefits and existential quandaries, stands...
Causality's Enduring Riddle: A Dialogue Between Physics and Metaphysics Summary: The concept of cause is fundamental to our understanding of the universe, yet its nature is debated across scientific and philosophical realms. While Physics meticulously describes the observable mechanisms of cause and effect, Metaphysics delves into the deeper...
The Unseen Threads: Unraveling the Logic of Cause and Effect A Direct Inquiry into Fundamental Connections At the heart of our understanding of the world lies the profound Logic of Cause and Effect. This article delves into this foundational Relation, exploring how we perceive, reason about, and ultimately rely upon...
The Theological Debate on God's Cause: Unraveling the Ultimate Principle The question of God's cause stands as one of the most profound and enduring intellectual challenges within theology and metaphysics. It delves into the very nature of existence, causality, and the ultimate ground of all being....
The Unseen Hand: Disentangling Providence from Fate The theological concept of Providence, often conflated with or juxtaposed against the notion of Fate, stands as a cornerstone in humanity's attempt to understand the cosmic order and our place within it. At its core, Providence asserts that a divine power...
The Unyielding Hand of Necessity: Exploring the Universal Law of Cause and Effect The cosmos, in its intricate dance of phenomena, reveals no greater or more fundamental principle than the Universal Law of Cause and Effect. This article posits that every event, every change, every state of being, is inextricably...
The Enduring Enigma of Causality: A Metaphysical Conundrum Summary: The problem of causality stands as a foundational, yet profoundly perplexing, issue within metaphysics. Far from being a simple observation of events, the nature of cause and effect probes the very fabric of reality, questioning whether connections between phenomena are truly...
The Unyielding Principle: Deconstructing the Law of Cause and Effect Summary The Law of Cause and Effect is a foundational principle in philosophy, asserting that every event or state of being (the effect) is the inevitable consequence of a preceding event or condition (the cause). This fundamental law underpins our...
Unraveling the Enigma: The Cause of Sin and Moral Error A Direct Inquiry into Our Moral Failings The question of why we err, why we commit what we call sin, has haunted humanity since the dawn of self-awareness. It is not merely an academic exercise but a deeply personal and...
The Unseen Hand: Exploring the Principle of Cause and Effect in Mechanics The Principle of Cause and Effect stands as an indispensable cornerstone, not only in our philosophical understanding of the world but critically, within the structured domain of mechanics and physics. It posits that every event, or "effect,...
The Philosophical Meaning of Chance Chance. The word itself conjures images of dice rolls, unforeseen accidents, or the arbitrary turns of fate. But for the philosopher, chance is far more than mere randomness; it is a profound concept that challenges our understanding of cause, the fabric of reality, and even...
Desire as the Cause of Sin: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Human Predicament Summary: This article explores the profound philosophical assertion that desire, when unchecked or misdirected, serves as a fundamental cause of sin. Drawing upon the wisdom of the Great Books of the Western World, we delve into how...
