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 Opposition: Good and Evil in the World The human experience is inextricably linked to a fundamental duality: the Opposition of Good and Evil. From ancient myths to modern ethics, this tension defines our moral landscapes, shapes our societies, and challenges our understanding of Being in the World. This...
The Ethical Dilemma of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin Summary: The Perennial Conflict of Honesty The act of lying, seemingly simple, unravels into one of philosophy's most profound and enduring ethical dilemmas. From ancient Greece to modern thought, thinkers have grappled with the tension between speaking the Truth...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of both profound goodness and inexplicable evil is arguably the most persistent and unsettling problem humanity faces. From the dawn of recorded thought, philosophers, theologians, and ordinary individuals have grappled with how to reconcile acts...
The Ethical Duty of the Citizen: A Philosophical Exploration The concept of a citizen's ethical duty is a cornerstone of political philosophy, stretching back to the earliest inquiries into human society. It posits that merely residing within a state's borders or obeying its laws is insufficient;...
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 Ethics of Desire: A Perennial Inquiry into Human Motivation From the primal stirrings of our deepest needs to the loftiest aspirations of the spirit, desire stands as a fundamental engine of human experience. But what, precisely, is the moral compass guiding this powerful force? This article delves into "...
The Inescapable Dichotomy: Navigating the Opposition of Virtue and Vice Summary: At the heart of human experience lies a fundamental and perpetual opposition: that between virtue and vice. This isn't merely a theoretical construct but a lived reality, shaping individual character and societal structures. From the ancient Greek...
The Ethical Dimension of War and Peace: A Philosophical Inquiry Navigating the Labyrinth of Conflict and Conscience War and peace are not merely historical or political phenomena; they are profoundly ethical challenges that have preoccupied philosophers for millennia. This article delves into the intricate moral landscape of human conflict and...
The Dialectical Compass: Navigating the Murky Waters of Good and Evil The concepts of Good and Evil stand as two of the most fundamental yet persistently elusive subjects in the annals of Philosophy. From ancient marketplaces to modern lecture halls, humanity has grappled with their Definition, often finding more disagreement...
The Elusive Link: Unpacking the Connection Between Wealth and Happiness The pursuit of wealth is a defining characteristic of human civilization, often underpinned by the unspoken, or sometimes explicit, belief that it is a direct path to happiness. Yet, a profound exploration through the lens of philosophy reveals a connection...
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...
The Idea of Good and Evil in Religion: A Theological and Philosophical Inquiry The concepts of good and evil stand as bedrock principles in the vast edifice of human thought, particularly within the realm of religion and theology. Far from being mere subjective preferences, the Idea of good and evil,...
The Enduring Riddle: Deconstructing the Element of Good and Evil in the World The concepts of Good and Evil stand as perhaps the most enduring and perplexing Element in the tapestry of human existence. From the earliest myths to the most sophisticated philosophical treatises, humanity has grappled with their nature,...
The Idea of Universal Happiness: A Philosophical Odyssey The pursuit of happiness is arguably the most fundamental human endeavor, a thread woven through every culture, every individual life. But what if this pursuit could transcend the individual? What if there existed a state, an idea, of happiness that was truly...
Navigating the Moral Compass: The Enduring Distinction Between Virtue and Vice The landscape of human morality is often perceived as a complex, shifting terrain. Yet, at its very core lies a fundamental, unwavering dichotomy: the distinction between virtue and vice. This isn't merely an academic exercise in semantics;...
The Enduring Dance: Exploring the Opposition of Good and Evil in the World A Perpetual Struggle for Being The concept of Good and Evil is not merely a moral abstraction; it is a fundamental opposition that shapes our understanding of the World and our place within it. From ancient myths...
The Ethical Labyrinth of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin The act of lying, at first glance, seems unequivocally wrong. Yet, the human experience is replete with situations where the line between honesty and deception blurs, forcing us to confront profound ethical questions. This pillar page delves into the philosophical and...
The Elusive Horizon: On the Definition of Happiness Summary: The quest for a definitive understanding of happiness has preoccupied philosophers for millennia. Far from a simple emotional state, "happiness" presents itself as a multifaceted concept, often entangled with notions of pleasure, virtue, reason, and the very essence of...
The Enduring Riddle: Grappling with the Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of evil in a world often posited as created or governed by a benevolent power presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent dilemmas. This "Problem of Evil" is not merely...
