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 Ethical Dimension of War and Peace: A Perpetual Philosophical Struggle The human experience is indelibly marked by the twin specters of war and the elusive promise of peace. From the earliest epics to the most recent headlines, our collective story grapples with the profound moral questions these states of...
The Use of Dialectic in Defining Good and Evil By Benjamin Richmond Summary: The concepts of "good" and "evil" are among the most profound and elusive in human philosophy. To grapple with their definition, thinkers across millennia have employed dialectic – a rigorous method of intellectual inquiry....
The Perennial Pursuit: Unpacking Wealth and Happiness Summary: The enduring human quest for happiness often intersects with the pursuit of wealth. This article explores the nuanced relationship between the two, drawing on classical philosophical insights from the Great Books of the Western World. We will argue that while wealth can...
The Idea of a Just Punishment: A Philosophical Inquiry What does it truly mean for punishment to be just? It's a question that delves into the very core of our societal values, challenging us to reconcile the inherent need for order with our profound understanding of fairness, morality,...
The Ethical Responsibility of the Scientist: A Conscience in the Crucible of Discovery Summary The pursuit of Science, while often seen as an objective quest for Knowledge, inherently carries profound ethical responsibilities. Scientists, as custodians of discovery, are not merely observers of the natural world but active agents whose work...
The Divine Architect? Exploring the Role of God in the Moral Universe The question of God's role in the moral universe is one of philosophy's most enduring and profound inquiries, cutting across theology, religion, and ethics. It asks whether morality is inherently tied to a divine...
The Unyielding Current: Exploring the Will to Power and Human Desire The Fundamental Impulse: A Summary From the ancient philosophers grappling with Eros to the radical pronouncements of Nietzsche, the concepts of will and desire stand as twin pillars in understanding the human condition. This pillar page delves into the...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing Good and Evil in Moral Systems The concepts of Good and Evil are not merely abstract philosophical constructs; they are the very bedrock upon which human societies, laws, and personal consciences are built. From ancient mythologies to modern ethical debates, humanity has grappled with defining what...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing Sin and Moral Judgment The concepts of sin and moral judgment lie at the very heart of human experience, shaping our societies, guiding our ethics, and defining our understanding of good and evil. Far from being mere relics of religious dogma, these ideas continue to resonate...
The Pursuit of Happiness and the Good Life: A Philosophical Odyssey Summary: Navigating Life's Ultimate Questions The pursuit of happiness and the quest for a good life are perhaps the most enduring and fundamental inquiries of human existence. From ancient philosophical schools to contemporary thought, thinkers have grappled...
The Enduring Stain: A Philosophical Examination of Slavery and Human Labor A Summary of Our Inquiry From the earliest recorded civilizations to the present day, humanity has grappled with the complex and often brutal realities of slavery and forced labor. This article delves into the philosophical justifications and condemnations of...
The Ethical Dilemmas of Immortality: A Journey Beyond Mortality's Veil The ancient dream of escaping Life and Death's cycle, of achieving true Immortality, has long captivated the human imagination. From mythical elixirs to modern biotechnological aspirations, the quest for endless existence persists. Yet, beyond the initial...
The Enduring Enigma: Exploring the Idea of Good and Evil in Religion The concepts of Good and Evil stand as foundational pillars in nearly every religious tradition, shaping not only moral codes and ethical frameworks but also profound theological doctrines and understandings of the cosmos. This article delves into the...
The Problem of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is perpetually vexed by the tension between our aspirations for goodness and our undeniable propensity to err. At the heart of this enduring struggle lies the problem of sin and will, a philosophical conundrum that has captivated thinkers...
Shattered Bonds: The Ethics of Slavery and the Destruction of Family Summary The institution of slavery represents one of humanity's most profound ethical failures, a system inherently antithetical to fundamental notions of justice, human dignity, and the very concept of family. This article explores how slavery, through its...
Unveiling the Chasm: The Enduring Distinction Between Good and Evil The very fabric of human experience is woven with threads of right and wrong, virtue and vice. For millennia, philosophers, theologians, and thinkers across civilizations have grappled with the profound task of drawing a clear distinction between Good and Evil....
The Enduring Element of Good and Evil in Our World: A Metaphysical Inquiry The human experience is inextricably woven with the concepts of good and evil. From the earliest myths to the most complex philosophical treatises, we grapple with these fundamental forces, seeking to understand their origins, nature, and impact...
The Elusive Pursuit: Unpacking the Idea of Universal Happiness The notion of a universally happy existence—a state where all individuals experience profound well-being and contentment—is perhaps one of philosophy's most enduring and challenging ideas. From ancient Greek city-states to modern global societies, thinkers have grappled with...
The Moral Compass: Navigating the Enduring Distinction Between Virtue and Vice Summary: Unpacking the Fundamentals of Human Character At the heart of ethical philosophy lies a fundamental Distinction: that between Virtue and Vice. This article delves into the Definition of these opposing forces, exploring how they shape human character, actions,...
The Enduring Opposition: Good and Evil in the World The concepts of good and evil are not mere abstract notions; they are fundamental forces that shape our existence, our societies, and the very fabric of the World we inhabit. From the dawn of recorded thought, philosophers have grappled with this...
The Ethical Labyrinth of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin A Journey into Deception's Moral Landscape Lying, at its core, is a deliberate deviation from the truth. Yet, its ethical implications are anything but straightforward. From ancient moral codes to modern philosophical debates, the act of deception has consistently...
The Perennial Quest: Unpacking the Definition of Happiness A Summary of the Elusive Pursuit The Definition of Happiness has vexed philosophers for millennia, proving to be one of the most enduring and complex inquiries in Western thought. Far from a simple feeling, happiness, or eudaimonia as the ancients called it,...
The Aristocratic Idea of the Good Life: A Pursuit of Excellence The "good life," a perennial philosophical quest, takes on a distinct and profound meaning when viewed through the lens of aristocracy. Far from a mere celebration of birthright or material wealth, the aristocratic idea of the good...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering, injustice, and moral depravity in a world often understood as the creation of a supremely good, all-powerful, and all-knowing God presents one of philosophy's most persistent and vexing challenges: The Problem of Evil...
The Elusive Pursuit: Unpacking the Nature of Happiness in Philosophy From the bustling agora of ancient Athens to the quiet contemplation of medieval monasteries and the bustling intellectual salons of the Enlightenment, the nature of happiness has remained a perennial, captivating enigma for philosophers. It's more than just...
The Problem of Sin and Desire The human condition is perpetually entangled in the complex interplay of sin and desire. At its core, this is a philosophical problem that probes the very essence of human agency, morality, and our pursuit of the good amidst the temptations of evil. This article...
The Indispensable Role of Will in Moral Action: A Journey Through Duty The will stands as the cornerstone of moral action, serving as the crucial faculty that translates abstract principles of good and evil into concrete duty-bound choices. This article explores the profound role of the will across philosophical traditions,...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in Our World The problem of Good and Evil is arguably humanity's most persistent and profound philosophical and existential challenge. It probes the very nature of our world, our actions, and our understanding of justice, suffering, and moral...
The Ethical Duty of the Citizen: Navigating Our Shared Moral Compass The ethical duty of the citizen is a cornerstone of any functional society, representing the moral obligations individuals hold towards their community, their government, and their fellow inhabitants. This pillar page explores the multifaceted nature of civic duty, delving...
The Shadow of Disobedience: Unpacking the Theological Problem of Evil (Sin) The existence of suffering and moral depravity in a world supposedly created and sustained by an all-good, all-powerful God represents one of Theology's most enduring and perplexing dilemmas. This is the heart of the "Problem of...
The Ethics of Desire: Navigating the Labyrinth of Our Inner Urges Summary The ethics of desire explores the profound philosophical question of how our fundamental human urges – our desires – intersect with morality. From ancient Greek inquiries into telos and virtue to modern considerations of will, good, and evil, this article...
The Eternal Tug-of-War: Understanding Virtue and Vice The very fabric of human moral experience is woven from the profound opposition between virtue and vice. This article delves into how philosophers, from antiquity to the modern era, have grappled with defining these contrasting forces, understanding their relationship to the broader concepts...
The Ethical Dimension of War and Peace: Navigating Moral Imperatives in Conflict and Harmony The human story is inextricably linked to the grand narratives of conflict and the profound yearning for peace. Yet, beyond the clang of swords or the hushed negotiations of treaties, lies a deeply intricate tapestry of...
The Dialectical Path to Defining Good and Evil Summary: The profound and often elusive concepts of Good and Evil have challenged philosophy for millennia. This article explores how the dialectic, a method of rigorous intellectual exchange and critical examination, serves as an indispensable tool in the pursuit of a clearer...