Citizen

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.

631 posts

Family Structure and Social Custom and Family

by Henry Montgomery in Family

The structure of the family, far from being a static biological given, is a profound reflection and shaper of social Custom and Convention. Throughout history, philosophers have grappled with how these customs define the Family, influence the development of the Citizen, and ultimately determine the character and stability of the...

The Role of Family in the State and Role

by Benjamin Richmond in Role

The Indispensable Nexus: Unpacking the Role of Family in the State The relationship between the family and the state is one of the most enduring and complex questions in political philosophy, a dynamic explored by thinkers across millennia, from the ancient Greeks to the Enlightenment's luminaries. At its...

The Role of Education in Instilling Duty and Education

by Daniel Sanderson in Education

In a world increasingly complex and interconnected, the foundational principles that underpin a stable and flourishing society often seem to recede into the background. Yet, the wisdom gleaned from the Great Books of the Western World consistently points to a singular, indispensable truth: the cultivation of duty within its citizens...

The Ethical Responsibility of the Citizen and Duty

by Henry Montgomery in Duty

The Ethical Responsibility of the Citizen: A Timeless Imperative Summary The ethical responsibility of the citizen is a cornerstone of any just and flourishing state. Far from being a passive recipient of rights, the individual holds an active duty to engage with, uphold, and sometimes challenge the prevailing law and...

The Definition of a Citizen and Definition

by Daniel Sanderson in Definition

The Elusive Essence: Defining the Citizen What does it truly mean to be a citizen? Is it merely a legal status bestowed by a state, a collection of rights and responsibilities codified by law? Or does the definition of a citizen delve deeper, touching upon our very identity, our participation...

The Nature of Courage in Civic Life and Nature

by Daniel Sanderson in Nature

The Nature of Courage in Civic Life Courage, often romanticized as a battlefield virtue, finds its most profound and perhaps most necessary expression not amidst the clash of swords, but within the intricate tapestry of civic life. This article delves into the nature of courage as it pertains to the...

The Ethical Duty of the Citizen and Duty

by Emily Fletcher in Duty

The Ethical Duty of the Citizen: A Philosophical Inquiry The concept of the citizen carries with it an inherent weight, a set of responsibilities that extend beyond mere self-interest. From the bustling agora of ancient Athens to the complex democracies of today, philosophers have grappled with what constitutes the ethical...

The Role of Opinion in Democracy and Opinion

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Opinion

The Unseen Architecture: How Opinion Builds Democracy In the vibrant, sometimes cacophonous, arena of a democratic society, opinion is not merely a transient thought or a personal preference; it is the fundamental building block of collective will and the very mechanism through which governance is shaped. This article explores opinion&...

The Philosophical Role of the Citizen and Citizen

by Benjamin Richmond in Citizen

Summary: The role of the citizen transcends mere legal status; it is a profoundly philosophical undertaking, demanding not just passive obedience but active engagement with the State and a deep understanding of one's Duty. From the ancient Greek polis to modern democratic societies, Philosophy has consistently explored the...

The Nature of Courage in Civic Duty and Courage

by Daniel Sanderson in Courage

The Unseen Battle: The Nature of Courage in Civic Duty The concept of courage often conjures images of epic battles, heroic soldiers, and moments of profound physical bravery. Yet, as we delve into the rich tapestry of Western thought, particularly within the Great Books, it becomes clear that courage is...

The Role of Family in Civic Education and Family

by Henry Montgomery in Family

The Domestic Crucible: How Family Shapes the Citizen in Civic Education Summary: The family unit, often considered the bedrock of society, plays an indispensable and foundational role in civic education, long before formal institutions take over. It is within this primary sphere that the nascent citizen first encounters the fundamental...

The Constitution as a Social Contract and Constitution

by Daniel Sanderson in Constitution

The Constitution as a Social Contract: A Philosophical Inquiry Summary The idea of a nation's Constitution as a social contract is a profound concept, rooted deeply in the philosophical traditions of the Western world. It posits that the very framework of government – its powers, limitations, and the rights...

The Education of the Citizenry and Education

by Henry Montgomery in Education

The Cultivation of Virtue: Reimagining the Education of the Citizenry Summary: The enduring strength and coherence of any State rest fundamentally upon the deliberate Education of its Citizenry. Drawing deeply from the wellsprings of the Great Books of the Western World, this article argues that education is not merely the...

The Citizen's Relationship to the State and Citizen

by Daniel Sanderson in Citizen

Pillar Page Outline: The Citizen's Relationship to the State 1. Pillar Page Title Suggestion: The Unseen Contract: Navigating the Citizen's Relationship to the State 2. Target Audience: Engaged citizens, students of political philosophy, general readers grappling with their place in society and the role of government....

Family Structure and Social Custom and Family

by Henry Montgomery in Family

The family, in its myriad forms, stands as the most ancient and perhaps most fundamental institution of human society. Its structure, far from being a static biological imperative, is deeply interwoven with and perpetually shaped by the prevailing Custom and Convention of a given age and culture. This article explores...

The Role of Rhetoric in Opinion Formation and Role

by Daniel Fletcher in Role

The Enduring Role of Rhetoric in Shaping Public Opinion: A Call for the Discerning Citizen A Précis: Rhetoric's Indispensable Role in Opinion Formation Rhetoric, often misunderstood as mere sophistry, is in fact a fundamental art of persuasion with a profound and timeless role in shaping individual and collective...

The Role of Family in the State and Role

by Benjamin Richmond in Role

The Indispensable Crucible: Family's Enduring Role in the State The relationship between the family and the state is one of philosophy's most enduring and complex questions, a nexus where personal life meets political structure. This article contends that the family serves as the fundamental building block...

The Connection Between Democracy and Education and Connection

by Daniel Sanderson in Connection

The Indispensable Nexus: Education's Role in a Thriving Democracy The enduring connection between democracy and education is not merely a beneficial alliance but a fundamental, symbiotic relationship. For any democratic society to truly flourish, it demands an informed, critically thinking, and civically engaged citizenry. Conversely, education, in its...

The Role of Education in Instilling Duty and Education

by Daniel Sanderson in Education

The Unseen Curriculum: Education's Indispensable Role in Instilling Duty Education, at its core, is far more than the mere transmission of facts; it is the deliberate cultivation of individuals capable of navigating the complex tapestry of society. This article explores how education serves as the foundational mechanism for...

The Ethical Responsibility of the Citizen and Duty

by Henry Montgomery in Duty

The Weight of the Polis: Unpacking the Ethical Responsibility of the Citizen A Summary of Civic Virtue The concept of the citizen implies more than mere residence within the borders of a State; it denotes a profound ethical bond, a set of inherent responsibilities that transcend personal interest. This article...

The Definition of a Citizen and Definition

by Daniel Sanderson in Definition

The Elusive Definition of a Citizen: A Philosophical Journey The concept of a "citizen" is one of the foundational pillars of political philosophy, yet its definition has been anything but static. From the ancient Greek polis to the sprawling modern nation-state, what it means to be a citizen...

The Nature of Courage in Civic Life and Nature

by Daniel Sanderson in Nature

The Indispensable Virtue: The Nature of Courage in Civic Life In the grand tapestry of human endeavor, few virtues shine as brightly, or are as fundamentally necessary, as courage. Yet, its nature is often misunderstood, frequently conflated with mere physical bravery. For the citizen engaged in the complex, often challenging,...

The Ethical Duty of the Citizen and Duty

by Emily Fletcher in Duty

The Ethical Duty of the Citizen: A Timeless Imperative The concept of the "citizen" has evolved dramatically throughout history, yet the fundamental question of their ethical "duty" remains a cornerstone of philosophical inquiry. From the ancient Greek polis to the sprawling global communities of today, understanding...

The Role of Opinion in Democracy and Opinion

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Opinion

The role of opinion in a democracy is not merely incidental; it is foundational, serving as both the engine and the compass for collective governance. In a system where power ostensibly resides with the citizen, the formation, expression, and deliberation of diverse opinions are paramount. This article explores how individual...

The Philosophical Role of the Citizen and Citizen

by Benjamin Richmond in Citizen

The Philosophical Role of the Citizen: More Than Just a Subject The concept of a "citizen" often conjures images of legal status, rights, and obligations within a defined territory. However, to confine our understanding to mere legalities is to miss a profound and essential dimension: the philosophical role...

The Nature of Courage in Civic Duty and Courage

by Daniel Sanderson in Courage

The Unseen Strength: Courage in Civic Duty This article explores the multifaceted nature of courage as an essential virtue for the citizen in fulfilling their civic duties. Drawing inspiration from the Great Books of the Western World, we delve beyond the traditional battlefield understanding of courage (War and Peace) to...

The Role of Family in Civic Education and Family

by Henry Montgomery in Family

The Cradle of Citizenship: Family's Enduring Role in Civic Education The health of any republic, the vibrancy of its public square, and the very fabric of its custom and convention depend not solely on grand institutions or formal schooling, but profoundly on the most ancient and intimate of...

The Constitution as a Social Contract and Constitution

by Daniel Sanderson in Constitution

The Constitution as a Social Contract: A Philosophical Examination The notion of a Constitution as a social contract is a cornerstone of modern political philosophy, suggesting that the very framework of government rests upon the consent of the governed. Far from being a mere legal document, a constitution embodies a...

The Education of the Citizenry and Education

by Henry Montgomery in Education

The Enduring Imperative: The Education of the Citizenry The education of the citizenry is not merely an academic exercise but a foundational pillar upon which the stability, virtue, and longevity of any State rests. From the philosophical blueprints of ancient Greece to the Enlightenment's treatises on human development,...

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