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 Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in Our World The world, in all its breathtaking beauty and intricate design, presents us with a profound paradox: the undeniable presence of immense suffering, injustice, and malevolence alongside acts of profound kindness, sacrificial love, and inherent goodness. This fundamental...
The Ethical Duty of the Citizen: Navigating Our Moral Compass in Society Summary: A Call to Conscience and Community The concept of duty forms the bedrock of any functioning society, particularly when viewed through the lens of the citizen. This pillar page delves into the multifaceted ethical duty of 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 Ethics of Desire: Navigating the Labyrinth of Human Want Summary The ethics of desire stands as a foundational and enduring challenge in philosophy, exploring the intricate relationship between our innate wants and our moral duties. From ancient Greek inquiries into the soul's appetites to modern examinations of...
The Fundamental Opposition of Virtue and Vice Summary: The concepts of virtue and vice stand as foundational pillars in ethical philosophy, representing the stark opposition between morally praiseworthy character traits and those deemed blameworthy. This enduring dichotomy, explored extensively throughout the Great Books of the Western World, is not merely...
The Sharp Edge of Inquiry: Dialectic in Defining Good and Evil The concepts of good and evil stand as towering pillars in the landscape of human thought, often appearing self-evident yet proving notoriously elusive when subjected to rigorous examination. How do we move beyond mere opinion or cultural dictum to...
The Scales of Consequence: Unpacking the Idea of a Just Punishment The concept of punishment is as old as human society itself, a fundamental mechanism for maintaining order and responding to transgression. But what makes a punishment just? This isn't merely a legal question, but a profound philosophical...
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 Pursuit of Happiness and the Good Life: A Perennial Inquiry The quest for happiness is perhaps the most universal and enduring human endeavor, a thread woven through the fabric of all cultures and ages. Yet, what constitutes true happiness and, more profoundly, what defines "the good life"...
The Ethics of Slavery and Human Labor: A Perennial Philosophical Inquiry Slavery, in its myriad forms, has cast a long and dark shadow across human history, forcing philosophers and ethicists for millennia to confront fundamental questions about human dignity, freedom, and the very nature of good and evil. This article...
The Ethical Dilemmas of Immortality The human condition has, for millennia, been defined by the inexorable rhythm of life and death. We are born, we live, we die. This fundamental cycle shapes our values, our ambitions, and our understanding of meaning. But what if this cycle were broken? What if...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Idea of Good and Evil in Religion Summary: The concepts of good and evil stand as foundational pillars in nearly every religious and philosophical tradition, offering frameworks through which humanity interprets the world, assigns moral value, and navigates existence. This article explores how Religion grapples...
The Problem of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is perpetually entangled in a profound paradox: our inherent capacity for reasoned choice, or will, frequently leads us to actions we ourselves deem sinful or evil. This isn't merely a theological conundrum; it is a foundational...
The Unspeakable Bond: Examining the Ethics of Slavery and Family Slavery represents one of humanity's most profound moral failures, a dark chapter where the very essence of human dignity was systematically denied. At its core, the ethics of slavery exposes a stark confrontation between Good and Evil, revealing...
Navigating the Moral Compass: The Enduring Distinction Between Good and Evil The concepts of good and evil are arguably the most fundamental pillars upon which human morality, ethics, and even our legal systems are built. Yet, despite their pervasive presence in our language and thought, the precise distinction between them...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing the Element of Good and Evil in the World The question of good and evil stands as a perennial crucible for philosophical inquiry, a fundamental element that shapes our understanding of existence, morality, and the very fabric of the world. This article delves into the metaphysics...
