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 Dilemma of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin The act of lying, a seemingly simple deviation from truth, unravels into one of philosophy's most enduring and complex ethical dilemmas. From ancient Greek philosophers pondering the nature of truth itself to modern ethicists grappling with the nuanced consequences...
The Elusive Quest: Defining Happiness Through the Ages Summary: The definition of happiness has been a perennial philosophical quandary, evolving from ancient concepts of flourishing and tranquility to modern ideas of utility and duty. This article explores the multifaceted attempts to grasp this elusive state, examining how thinkers from the...
The Aristocratic Idea of the Good Life: A Pursuit of Excellence and Flourishing The aristocratic idea of the good life, deeply rooted in the philosophical traditions of the Great Books of the Western World, posits that true happiness and a life well-lived are achieved not merely through wealth or pleasure,...
The Enduring Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of immense suffering, injustice, and moral transgression – what we commonly refer to as evil and sin – presents one of the most profound and enduring philosophical and theological challenges to our understanding of the world. How can we reconcile the...
The Nature of Happiness in Philosophy: A Journey Through Flourishing and Fulfillment Happiness. It's a word we use daily, a state we universally crave, and yet its true nature remains one of philosophy's most enduring and complex questions. From ancient Greek ideals of flourishing to modern...
The Enduring Conflict: Unpacking the Problem of Sin and Desire The human condition is a tapestry woven with threads of longing and transgression. At its core lies "The Problem of Sin and Desire," a perennial riddle that has puzzled philosophers and theologians for millennia. This isn't...
The Element of Good and Evil in the World: A Metaphysical Inquiry In the grand tapestry of existence, few concepts have captivated the human mind and shaped civilizations as profoundly as the Element of Good and Evil. This article delves into the enduring philosophical inquiry concerning their nature, origin, and...
The Elusive Horizon: Unpacking the Idea of Universal Happiness The pursuit of happiness is often considered an inherent human drive, a deeply personal quest that shapes our individual lives. But what happens when we elevate this aspiration to a universal scale? The Idea of universal happiness, a state where flourishing...
The Enduring Divide: Unpacking the Distinction Between Virtue and Vice The concepts of virtue and vice form the bedrock of ethical philosophy, guiding our understanding of human character and action. At their core, they represent a fundamental distinction between what elevates and what diminishes the human spirit. This article delves...
The Unyielding Dance: Exploring the Opposition of Good and Evil in the World The Opposition of Good and Evil is not merely an abstract concept; it is a lived reality woven into the fabric of our World and the very essence of our Being. From the earliest philosophical inquiries to...
The Ethical Dilemma of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin Summary: The act of lying, seemingly simple, unravels into one of philosophy's most enduring and complex ethical dilemmas. From ancient Greek inquiries into societal Good to theological condemnations of Sin and Enlightenment mandates of Duty, humanity has grappled with...
The Elusive Quest: Defining Happiness Through the Ages The pursuit of happiness is perhaps the most fundamental and universal human endeavor. From the earliest philosophical inquiries to contemporary self-help manuals, humanity has ceaselessly sought to grasp its essence. Yet, despite its omnipresence in our aspirations, the definition of happiness remains...
The Aristocratic Idea of the Good Life: A Pursuit of Flourishing Excellence The aristocratic idea of the Good Life, deeply rooted in the philosophical traditions found within the Great Books of the Western World, posits that true human flourishing—eudaimonia—is inextricably linked to virtue, excellence, and a life lived...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering and moral transgression in our World presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges: The Problem of Evil. This ancient problem questions the very nature of reality, morality, and divinity, particularly for...
The Enduring Quest: Unpacking the Nature of Happiness in Philosophy The pursuit of happiness is perhaps the most universal and persistent human endeavor. From ancient marketplaces to modern-day self-help aisles, the question of how to achieve a good life, a happy life, resonates deeply within us. But what is happiness,...
The Enduring Question: The Idea of Good and Evil in Religion The concepts of Good and Evil stand as pillars in the edifice of human thought, nowhere more profoundly explored than within the vast landscape of Religion and Theology. From the earliest myths to the most sophisticated philosophical treatises, humanity...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Sin and Will The human condition, in its most profound philosophical sense, is often defined by a central, vexing question: Why do we do what we know is wrong? This isn't merely a matter of occasional lapse, but a pervasive problem that...
The Enduring Shadow: Unpacking the Ethics of Slavery and Family Slavery, an institution that has marred human history for millennia, presents one of the most profound and disturbing challenges to our understanding of ethics. When we consider its impact on the fundamental unit of human society—the family—the moral...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Distinction Between Good and Evil The concepts of Good and Evil stand as formidable pillars in the landscape of human thought, shaping our societies, laws, and personal moral compasses. Yet, the precise distinction between them remains one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing...