Definition

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.

1364 posts

The Philosophical Definition of Truth and Philosophy

by Emily Fletcher in Philosophy

The Elusive Core: Unpacking the Philosophical Definition of Truth Summary: The philosophical definition of truth is far from simple, representing one of the most enduring and complex inquiries in philosophy. This article delves into the major theories that attempt to define truth, exploring how thinkers from the Great Books of...

The Definition of a Citizen and Definition

by Daniel Sanderson in Definition

The Elusive Essence: Unpacking the Philosophical Definition of a Citizen What does it truly mean to be a citizen? Is it merely a legal status, a birthright, or does it entail a deeper philosophical commitment? The definition of a citizen has been a cornerstone of political philosophy since antiquity, evolving...

The Distinction Between Quality and Quantity and Distinction

by Emily Fletcher in Distinction

The Profound Distinction: Unpacking Quality and Quantity in Philosophy Welcome, fellow seekers of wisdom! Today, we're delving into a foundational philosophical distinction that shapes how we perceive and understand the world: the difference between quality and quantity. At first glance, these concepts might seem straightforward, but their philosophical...

The Distinction Between Pleasure and Happiness and Distinction

by Henry Montgomery in Distinction

The Enduring Chasm: Dissecting the Distinction Between Pleasure and Happiness Summary: For millennia, philosophers have grappled with the profound difference between pleasure and happiness, terms often conflated in common parlance. While pleasure is typically an immediate, sensory, and often fleeting experience — a momentary satisfaction or absence of pain — happiness, in...

The Distinction Between Angel and Human (Man) and Angel

by Daniel Sanderson in Angel

The Celestial and the Terrestrial: Distinguishing Angel from Man The philosophical and theological landscape, richly charted by the Great Books of the Western World, presents few distinctions as profound and far-reaching as that between Angel and Man. This article delves into the core definition of each, exploring their fundamental differences...

The Definition of Quality and Form and Definition

by Emily Fletcher in Definition

Unpacking the Essence: The Philosophical Definition of Quality and Form Delving into the profound questions of existence, this article explores the philosophical definition of Quality and Form. Drawing insights from the Great Books of the Western World, we unravel how these fundamental concepts, central to metaphysics, shape our understanding of...

The Use of Logic in Defining the Soul and Logic

by Daniel Sanderson in Logic

The Unseen Architecture: Using Logic to Define the Soul The quest to understand the soul is arguably one of humanity's oldest and most enduring intellectual pursuits. From ancient philosophers grappling with the essence of life to modern thinkers exploring consciousness, the definition of the soul remains elusive. Yet,...

The Distinction Between Art and Science and Art

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Art

The Enduring Dialogue: Distinguishing Art from Science Summary: While both art and science are profound human endeavors driven by an insatiable quest for knowledge, their fundamental definitions, methodologies, and ultimate aims diverge significantly. Science rigorously seeks objective truths about the natural world through empirical observation and experimentation, aiming for universal...

The Definition of the Term 'Experience' and Definition

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Definition

The Elusive Echo: Defining "Experience" in Philosophical Discourse Summary: The term "experience" is a cornerstone of philosophical inquiry, yet its definition is anything but simple. At its core, "experience" refers to the totality of events, observations, and sensations that an individual undergoes, shaping their...

The Difference Between Monarchy and Tyranny and Monarchy

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Monarchy

The Crown and the Chains: Unpacking the Difference Between Monarchy and Tyranny From the earliest philosophical inquiries into government, thinkers have grappled with the nature of single-person rule. While both monarchy and tyranny involve a single individual holding supreme power, their fundamental definition, purpose, and impact on society could not...

The Logical Structure of Definition and Logic

by Daniel Sanderson in Logic

The Logical Structure of Definition: Building Blocks of Sound Reasoning Understanding the world, engaging in meaningful discourse, and constructing robust arguments all hinge upon one fundamental philosophical tool: definition. This article explores the logical structure of definition, drawing insights from the enduring wisdom found in the Great Books of the...

The Philosophical Definition of Man and Man

by Daniel Sanderson in Man

The Enduring Quest: Unraveling the Philosophical Definition of Man The question of "What is Man?" stands as one of the oldest, most profound, and perpetually elusive inquiries within the vast landscape of Philosophy. Far from a simple biological categorization, the philosophical definition of Man delves into the very...

The Difference Between Quality and Relation and Quality

by Daniel Sanderson in Quality

Beyond the Surface: Unpacking the Philosophical Divide Between Quality and Relation Summary: In philosophy, the distinction between quality and relation is fundamental to how we categorize and understand reality. Quality refers to the intrinsic, inherent characteristics of a thing – what it is in itself, independent of anything else. Relation, conversely,...

The Use of Dialectic in Defining Good and Evil and Dialectic

by Benjamin Richmond in Dialectic

The Unfolding Truth: Using Dialectic to Define Good and Evil Defining concepts as profound and universally significant as good and evil has been a central pursuit of philosophy for millennia. This article explores how dialectic, a method of rigorous intellectual inquiry, serves as an indispensable tool in this quest. From...

Logic and the Concept of Same and Other and Logic

by Benjamin Richmond in Logic

Logic and the Unfolding of Same and Other The fundamental distinction between "Same" and "Other" is not merely a linguistic convenience but a cornerstone of Logic itself, shaping our very capacity for understanding, definition, and relation. From the ancient Greeks to modern thought, philosophy grapples with...

Defining the One and the Many and One and Many

by Henry Montgomery in One and Many

The Enduring Enigma: Defining the One and the Many The question of the One and the Many stands as a foundational pillar of metaphysics, probing the very fabric of reality. At its core, it asks how unity can coexist with multiplicity, how the singular essence of being relates to the...

The Distinction Between Art and Beauty and Art

by Daniel Sanderson in Art

The Nuances of Perception: Distinguishing Art from Beauty The realms of aesthetics often intertwine, leading to a common misconception that Art and Beauty are synonymous. However, a deeper dive into philosophy reveals that while they frequently coexist and enrich one another, they are distinct concepts with unique definitions and underlying...

The Nature of The Distinction Between Being and Essence

by Benjamin Richmond in Being

Unpacking the Core: The Distinction Between Being and Essence Have you ever stopped to ponder what makes a thing what it is, and then, separately, what makes it exist? At first glance, these might seem like two sides of the same coin, but in the grand tapestry of Metaphysics, few...

The Definition of Rhetoric and Definition

by Henry Montgomery in Definition

The Enduring Art: Unpacking the Definition of Rhetoric The concept of rhetoric, often misunderstood or narrowly defined, is in fact a foundational pillar of human communication and intellectual discourse. At its core, rhetoric is the art of effective communication, concerned with the principles and practice of crafting language to inform,...

The Distinction Between Quality and Quantity and Quality

by Daniel Fletcher in Quality

The Enduring Divide: Unpacking Quality and Quantity In the vast tapestry of philosophical inquiry, few distinctions are as fundamental, as pervasive, and as stubbornly persistent as that between quality and quantity. From the ancient Greeks pondering the nature of being to modern physicists grappling with the fabric of reality, understanding...

The Definition of a Just War and Definition

by Daniel Fletcher in Definition

The Definition of a Just War: Navigating Ethics in the Crucible of Conflict Summary: The concept of a "Just War" (Latin: bellum iustum) is a foundational philosophical and ethical framework developed over centuries to determine when recourse to armed conflict is morally permissible, how war should be conducted,...

The Same and Other in Identity and Same and Other

by Emily Fletcher in Same and Other

The Same and Other in Identity: A Philosophical Inquiry The concept of identity, at its very core, is inseparable from the intricate dance of sameness and otherness. This supporting article delves into how philosophers, from antiquity to modernity, have grappled with this fundamental relation, seeking to establish a rigorous definition...

Defining Beauty in Abstract Art and Beauty

by Henry Montgomery in Beauty

Defining Beauty in Abstract Art: A Philosophical Inquiry The quest to define Beauty has occupied philosophers for millennia, a journey complicated further by the advent of Abstract Art. Where classical aesthetics often relied on principles of harmony, proportion, and mimesis – a faithful representation of observable Form – abstract works challenge these...

The Logic of Quality and Definition and Logic

by Emily Fletcher in Logic

The Unfolding of Excellence: Navigating the Logic of Quality and Definition A Philosophical Inquiry into What Makes Things Truly "Good" Summary: In our quest to understand the world, few concepts are as pervasive yet elusive as "quality." This article delves into the philosophical underpinnings of quality...

The Logic of Definition and Essence and Logic

by Henry Montgomery in Logic

The Unveiling of Truth: Exploring the Logic of Definition and Essence To truly comprehend the world, we must first understand the words we use to describe it. This seemingly simple statement belies a profound philosophical journey, one that takes us to the very bedrock of thought: the logic of definition...

The Logic of Quantity and Measure and Logic

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Logic

The Unseen Architecture: Unpacking the Logic of Quantity and Measure We often take for granted the numbers that shape our world – the dimensions of a room, the speed of light, the cost of a coffee. Yet, beneath this ubiquitous numerical surface lies a profound philosophical bedrock: the logic of quantity...

The Distinction Between Good and Evil and Distinction

by Emily Fletcher in Distinction

The Enduring Distinction Between Good and Evil: A Philosophical Journey The distinction between good and evil stands as one of humanity's most profound and persistent philosophical inquiries. It's not merely an academic exercise but a foundational quest to understand our actions, our intentions, and the very...

The Definition of Sign and Symbol and Definition

by Daniel Sanderson in Definition

The Unveiling of Meaning: A Philosophical Look at Sign and Symbol In the vast tapestry of human understanding and communication, few concepts are as fundamental, yet as often conflated, as the Definition of a Sign and Symbol. While seemingly interchangeable in everyday parlance, a deeper philosophical inquiry reveals distinct characteristics...

The Distinction Between Virtue and Vice and Distinction

by Daniel Sanderson in Distinction

The Enduring Distinction Between Virtue and Vice: A Journey Through Moral Philosophy Welcome, fellow travelers on the path of philosophical inquiry! Today, we delve into a foundational concept that has shaped human thought for millennia: the profound distinction between virtue and vice. This article will explore the definition of each,...

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