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 Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The problem of good and evil in the world is arguably one of humanity's most ancient and persistent intellectual and existential challenges. It probes the very fabric of our reality, our moral compass, and our...
The Ethical Duty of the Citizen: A Philosophical Exploration The concept of the citizen carries with it an inherent weight of expectation, a silent contract between the individual and the collective. But what exactly constitutes the ethical duty of a citizen? Is it merely adherence to law, or does it...
The Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): An Enduring Conundrum The existence of evil in a world ostensibly created and governed by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God represents one of the most profound and persistent challenges to Theology. This dilemma, often termed the problem of evil, becomes particularly acute when...
The Unyielding Chasm: Exploring the Opposition of Virtue and Vice The human journey is, at its core, a constant negotiation between competing forces. Among the most profound of these is the opposition of virtue and vice. This fundamental duality, deeply explored across the Great Books of the Western World, serves...
The Ethical Dimension of War and Peace: A Perpetual Philosophical Battleground The human experience is perpetually caught between the destructive chaos of war and the fragile tranquility of peace. From ancient battlefields to modern diplomatic tables, the moral questions surrounding conflict and its resolution have haunted philosophers, leaders, and individuals...
In the grand tapestry of philosophy, few tasks are as profound, or as perpetually elusive, as the definition of Good and Evil. These aren't mere abstract concepts; they are the bedrock upon which societies are built and individual lives are judged. This article explores how dialectic, a method...
The Enduring Paradox: Wealth, Happiness, and the Human Condition The connection between wealth and happiness has puzzled philosophers for millennia. Far from a simple equation, this relationship is deeply intertwined with human desire, concepts of good and evil, and the very definition of a flourishing life. Drawing from the Great...
The Scales of Consequence: Navigating the Idea of a Just Punishment The concept of a "just punishment" sits at the very heart of our legal and ethical systems, a complex philosophical puzzle that has captivated thinkers from ancient Greece to the present day. At its core, it asks:...
The Dialectic of Morality: Unraveling Good and Evil Through Philosophical Discourse Summary: The use of dialectic, a method of philosophical argument involving thesis, antithesis, and synthesis, has been a cornerstone in humanity's enduring quest to define Good and Evil. From the Socratic method of relentless questioning to Platonic...
From Riches to Eudaimonia: A Philosophical Journey Through Wealth and Happiness By Daniel Sanderson Summary: The connection between wealth and happiness is a perennial philosophical puzzle, often misunderstood in our material-driven world. Drawing deeply from the Great Books of the Western World, this article explores how ancient thinkers, from Aristotle...
The Scales of Consequence: Unpacking the Idea of a Just Punishment Summary: The idea of a just punishment is one of philosophy's most enduring and complex dilemmas, probing the very foundations of justice, law, and our understanding of good and evil. This article explores the various philosophical perspectives...
The Unseen Burden: The Ethical Responsibility of the Scientist Summary: The ethical responsibility of the scientist is a profound and often overlooked dimension of the pursuit of Knowledge. It transcends mere technical competence, demanding a deep engagement with the potential for both Good and Evil inherent in discovery. This article...
The Divine Architect: God's Enduring Role in the Moral Universe The question of God's role in shaping our understanding of Good and Evil is one of philosophy's most enduring and profound inquiries. For millennia, thinkers across diverse cultures and Religions have grappled with whether...
The Unrelenting Current: The Will to Power and the Deep Tides of Human Desire The human experience, in its profoundest depths, is an intricate dance between two colossal forces: the Will and Desire. While often conflated, a discerning eye reveals their distinct yet inseparable roles in shaping Man's...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing Good and Evil in Moral Systems The concepts of Good and Evil lie at the very heart of human experience, serving as the fundamental poles around which all moral systems revolve. From ancient philosophical inquiries to contemporary ethical dilemmas, our incessant quest to define, understand, and...
The Enduring Enigma of "Sin" and the Weight of Moral Judgment The concept of sin stands as one of humanity's most ancient and persistent attempts to define moral transgression, to delineate the boundaries between right and wrong, between Good and Evil. Far from being a mere...
The Pursuit of Happiness and the Good Life: A Journey Through Western Thought The quest for happiness is perhaps the most enduring and universal human endeavor. From ancient philosophers grappling with the meaning of eudaimonia to modern thinkers debating the nature of subjective well-being, the question of what constitutes "...
The Enduring Question: Grappling with the Ethical Labyrinth of Immortality The age-old human yearning for immortality, once confined to myth and spiritual aspiration, now flickers on the horizon of scientific possibility. Yet, as we inch closer to extending our Life and Death cycle indefinitely, a profound philosophical quandary emerges: Is...
The Enduring Enigma: Unraveling the Distinction Between Good and Evil Summary: This article delves into the profound philosophical challenge of distinguishing between good and evil, exploring how thinkers from the Great Books of the Western World have grappled with their definitions, origins, and implications. From ancient Greek virtue ethics to...
The Enduring Conflict: Navigating the Problem of Sin and Desire The human condition is a tapestry woven with threads of aspiration and affliction, noble pursuits and base impulses. At its very heart lies a profound and persistent philosophical conundrum: the Problem of Sin and Desire. This isn't merely...
The Unseen Architect of Our Moral Lives: The Role of Will in Moral Action (Duty) Summary At the heart of every moral decision lies the intricate interplay between our will and our understanding of duty. This article delves into how the philosophical concept of will—that unique faculty of rational...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking The Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of good and evil is perhaps the most profound and persistent problem that humanity has grappled with throughout history. From ancient myths to modern ethics, the tension between these opposing forces shapes our understanding of...