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 Nature of God and Theological Reasoning: A Planksip Exploration Summary The question of God's nature stands as one of humanity's most enduring and profound intellectual challenges, forming the bedrock of theology and informing countless philosophical inquiries. This article delves into how human reasoning has grappled...
The Nature of God's Immortality: A Timeless Inquiry Summary: The concept of God's immortality transcends mere endless existence, delving instead into the profound philosophical notion of eternity. This article explores the classical and medieval understandings of God's timeless nature, examining how philosophers from the...
The Profound Distinction: God and Angel in Western Thought Summary: The fundamental distinction between God and Angel is a cornerstone of Western theology and philosophy, articulated profoundly in the Great Books of the Western World. While both are spiritual entities associated with the divine, God is understood as the uncreated,...
The Concept of God's Will and Cause: Unraveling the Divine Blueprint The concept of God's Will and God's Cause stands as one of the most profound and enduring inquiries in the annals of philosophy and theology. For millennia, thinkers have grappled with the implications...
The Timeless Throne: Exploring God and Theological Eternity In the grand tapestry of theology, few concepts are as profound and challenging as the notion of Eternity when applied to God. Far from merely signifying endless duration, theological eternity often posits a reality entirely outside the confines of time itself. This...
The Labyrinthine Depths of God's Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The concept of God's Will stands as a cornerstone in theological discourse and philosophical inquiry, profoundly shaping our understanding of creation, providence, morality, and human destiny. It is not merely an abstract theological tenet, but a vibrant,...
The Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): A Planksip Exploration The theological problem of evil, often encapsulated in the profound question of how a perfectly good, all-powerful, and all-knowing God can permit the existence of evil, stands as one of humanity's most enduring intellectual and spiritual challenges. Within this...
The Idea of God as a First Principle In the grand tapestry of Western thought, philosophers have perpetually sought an ultimate foundation – an unshakeable bedrock upon which all reality, knowledge, and existence might rest. This quest often leads to the concept of a First Principle, an originating truth or cause...
The Concept of Infinity in Theology A Glimpse into the Boundless The concept of infinity is perhaps one of the most profound and challenging ideas humanity has ever contemplated. Far from being a mere mathematical abstraction, it serves as a cornerstone in theology, fundamentally shaping our understanding of the divine....
The Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): An Enduring Dilemma for Faith and Reason Summary: The Theological Problem of Evil, often framed as the "problem of suffering," grapples with the apparent contradiction between the existence of a perfectly good, all-powerful, and all-knowing God and the undeniable reality of evil...
The Celestial Conduit: Unpacking the Connection Between Angel and God Summary: For millennia, theological and philosophical discourse has posited angels not merely as ethereal beings, but as fundamental intermediaries, establishing a profound connection between the transcendent God and the created cosmos. This article delves into the intricate theology surrounding angels,...
The Unseen Hand: Navigating Providence and Fate in Theological Thought The human mind, ever eager to find order in chaos, has long grappled with the apparent paradox of a world both divinely ordered and seemingly subject to arbitrary chance. At the heart of this ancient inquiry lies providence – the theological...
The Uncaused Cause: Exploring God as the First Principle of Existence The human mind, in its ceaseless quest for understanding, inevitably arrives at the most fundamental questions: Why is there something rather than nothing? What is the ultimate origin of all that exists? This profound inquiry leads us to one...
Introduction: Unpacking the Divine Affection The concept of God's Love stands as one of the most profound and enduring subjects in human thought, lying at the heart of both theology and philosophy. It is a notion that has shaped civilizations, inspired countless works of art and literature, and...
The Enduring Inquiry: Unpacking the Relationship Between God and the World The relationship between God and the World is one of philosophy's most profound and persistent questions, shaping not only our understanding of existence but also our moral frameworks and spiritual lives. From ancient metaphysics to modern theology,...
The Concept of God's Will and Cause: A Philosophical Inquiry The concepts of God's will and God as a cause are not merely theological doctrines; they represent foundational pillars upon which much of Western philosophy has been constructed, debated, and redefined. From the ancient Greeks grappling...
The Unfolding of Eternity: God Beyond Time Theological discussions of Eternity often diverge sharply from our everyday understanding of Time. Far from simply meaning "a really, really long time" or "infinite duration," the theological concept of Eternity, particularly in relation to God, posits a radical existence...
Celestial Hierarchies: Unpacking the Fundamental Distinction Between God and Angel The realms of theology and philosophy have long grappled with the nature of existence, particularly concerning divine and spiritual beings. A common misconception often blurs the lines between God and angels, viewing them perhaps as different grades of the same...