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 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...
The Theological Problem of Evil: Confronting the Shadow of Sin The existence of evil in a world purportedly created and sustained by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God presents one of philosophy and theology's most enduring and vexing challenges. At the heart of this "Theological Problem of...
The Idea of God as a First Principle: Unveiling the Metaphysical Bedrock Summary At the very core of Western philosophical inquiry, particularly within the vast landscape of Metaphysics, lies a profound and persistent question: What is the ultimate Principle from which all else derives? For many of the greatest minds...
The Unfathomable Bound: Exploring the Concept of Infinity in Theology In the grand tapestry of philosophical and theological thought, few concepts possess the profound weight and elusive nature of infinity. It is a notion that stretches the very limits of human comprehension, yet stands as a cornerstone in our understanding...
The Divine Architect of Morality: Exploring God's Role in the Moral Universe The question of whether morality originates from a divine source or is a product of human reason and societal evolution has perplexed philosophers and theologians for millennia. From the ancient Greeks grappling with the nature of...
Unveiling the Celestial Hierarchy: The Profound Distinction Between God and Angel The realms of Theology and metaphysics frequently invite us to ponder the nature of existence beyond the purely material. Among the most fundamental inquiries is the Distinction between the ultimate divine being and those spiritual entities often perceived as...
The Celestial Bridge: Unpacking the Profound Connection Between Angel and God Summary: The concept of angels, pervasive across major Western theological traditions, offers a profound lens through which to examine the intricate connection between the divine and the created order. Far from mere ethereal beings, angels, as explored in the...
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 Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing the Concept of God's Love The concept of God's love stands as one of the most profound and perennially debated subjects in both theology and philosophy. Far from a simple emotional sentiment, it represents a complex nexus of divine attributes, human experience,...
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 Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): An Examination of Divine Justice and Human Transgression The existence of evil in a world supposedly created and governed by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God presents one of the most enduring and profound challenges to Theology and philosophy. This "problem of evil&...
The Unmoved Mover: Exploring the Idea of God as a First Principle A Foundation of Thought: God as the Ultimate Starting Point From the earliest stirrings of philosophical inquiry, humanity has sought to understand the fundamental nature of reality, to uncover the ultimate Principle from which all else derives. This...
The Unbounded Majesty: Exploring the Concept of Infinity in Theological Thought The concept of infinity stands as one of philosophy's most profound and elusive ideas, yet nowhere does it find more resonant application than in theology. From ancient philosophical inquiries into the nature of the divine to sophisticated...
The Role of God in the Moral Universe: A Philosophical Inquiry Summary The question of God's role in the moral universe has captivated thinkers for millennia, shaping our understanding of Good and Evil, justice, and human purpose. This pillar page delves into the complex relationship between God, Theology,...
The Nature of God's Immortality: A Timeless Enigma Summary: The concept of God's immortality transcends mere endless existence; it delves into the profound philosophical nature of a being that exists outside the constraints of time, possessing an unchanging essence and absolute perfection. This article explores how...
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 Concept of God's Eternity: A Journey Beyond Time Unpacking the Profound Nature of Divine Existence The Concept of God's Eternity stands as one of the most profound and challenging ideas in philosophy and theology. Far from merely implying an unending lifespan, it grapples with the...
The Celestial Hierarchy: Unpacking the Distinction Between God and Angel In the vast tapestry of Western thought, few concepts are as foundational yet frequently conflated as the nature of God and the essence of angels. While both reside in the realm of the divine and the spiritual, classical theology and...
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...
