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 Labyrinth of Lying: Navigating Truth, Sin, and Duty The Perennial Puzzle of Deception: A Summary Lying, at its core, presents one of humanity's most enduring and perplexing ethical dilemmas. While often condemned outright as a sin and a violation of truth, the act of deception is...
The Elusive Apex: Deconstructing the Definition of Happiness The pursuit of happiness is perhaps the most enduring and universal human endeavor. Yet, despite its centrality to our lives, a clear, universally accepted definition of happiness remains tantalizingly out of reach. From the earliest philosophical inquiries to contemporary psychological studies, thinkers...
The Aristocratic Idea of the Good Life: A Pursuit of Flourishing Excellence The "Aristocratic Idea of the Good Life" isn't merely about inherited privilege or lavish indulgence; it's a profound philosophical concept rooted in the pursuit of excellence and the cultivation of virtue, often...
The Enduring Shadow: Grappling with the Problem of Evil (Sin) in Our World Summary: The Problem of Evil, often framed as the incompatibility of a benevolent, omnipotent God with the existence of suffering and moral wrongdoing, has haunted philosophers and theologians for millennia. This article explores its multifaceted nature, from...
The Elusive Pursuit: Unpacking the Nature of Happiness in Philosophy From the bustling agora of ancient Athens to the quiet contemplation of a medieval monastery, and through the vibrant intellectual salons of the Enlightenment, humanity has wrestled with a singular, profound question: What is happiness? This pillar page embarks on...
The Problem of Sin and Desire: A Perennial Philosophical Struggle The human condition is perpetually caught in a profound tension between our innate desires and the moral strictures we impose upon ourselves, or that are imposed by societal and divine law. This tension, often framed as The Problem of Sin...
The will is not merely an abstract concept; it is the very engine of our moral lives, the crucible in which duty is forged, and the ultimate determinant of our ethical trajectory. This article delves into the profound role the will plays in moral action, examining how philosophers throughout the...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of good and evil is perhaps the most fundamental and vexing problem that humanity has grappled with across every culture and era. From ancient myths to modern ethics, the question of why suffering, injustice, and...
The Weight of the Polis: Exploring the Ethical Duty of the Citizen The question of a citizen's ethical duty is as ancient as the concept of the polis itself. From the bustling agora of Athens to the quiet contemplation of modern thought, philosophers have grappled with the intricate...
The Theological Problem of Evil: Wrestling with the Shadow of Sin Few questions have gnawed at the human spirit and challenged the foundations of faith quite like the theological problem of evil. At its core, this profound philosophical and religious dilemma asks: How can an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God...
The Ethics of Desire: A Philosophical Inquiry From the dawn of philosophical thought, humanity has grappled with the intricate relationship between desire and ethics. Is desire an inherent flaw, pulling us away from virtue, or a fundamental driving force, essential for the pursuit of the good? This exploration delves into...
The Enduring Conflict: Understanding the Opposition of Virtue and Vice At the heart of human experience lies a fundamental struggle, a polarity that shapes our choices, defines our character, and dictates the trajectory of societies: the opposition of virtue and vice. This isn't merely a philosophical abstraction but...
The Ethical Dimension of War and Peace: A Philosophical Crucible The ethical dimensions of war and peace are among humanity's most enduring and challenging philosophical inquiries. From ancient battlefields to modern conflicts, thinkers have grappled with questions of justice, duty, and the very nature of good and evil...
The Enduring Quest: Unraveling Good and Evil Through Dialectic Summary: The dialectical method, a cornerstone of Philosophy dating back to ancient Greece, serves as an indispensable tool for rigorously examining and refining our Definition of Good and Evil. By engaging in a systematic process of questioning, challenging assumptions, and exploring...
The Golden Chains or the Philosopher's Stone? Wealth, Happiness, and the Perennial Question For millennia, humanity has grappled with the elusive nature of happiness, often casting a hopeful glance towards wealth as its potential harbinger. Is financial prosperity truly the key to a flourishing life, or merely a...
The Elusive Pursuit of a Just Punishment The concept of a just punishment is one of humanity's oldest and most persistent philosophical dilemmas. At its core, it asks: when someone transgresses, what is the appropriate response, and by what measure do we deem that response fair, moral, and...
The Ethical Responsibility of the Scientist: Bearing the Weight of Knowledge The relentless march of Science, a testament to humanity's insatiable hunger for Knowledge, has undeniably reshaped our world. Yet, with every breakthrough, with every veil lifted from the mysteries of the cosmos or the intricacies of life,...
The Role of God in the Moral Universe: A Philosophical Inquiry The question of God's role in shaping our understanding of right and wrong is one of philosophy's most enduring and profound challenges. From ancient dialogues to contemporary debates, thinkers have grappled with whether morality is...
The Unfolding of Man: The Will to Power and the Tapestry of Human Desire Unveiling the Primal Drive: A Summary At the core of human existence lies a restless, ceaseless striving – a concept perhaps most powerfully articulated by Friedrich Nietzsche as the "Will to Power," and intimately intertwined...
The Shifting Sands of Morality: Deconstructing Good and Evil By Chloe Fitzgerald The concepts of good and evil stand as monumental pillars in the edifice of human thought, shaping our laws, our cultures, and our personal conduct. Far from being simple, universally agreed-upon notions, their definitions have been fiercely debated...
The Labyrinth of Wrongdoing: Deconstructing Sin and Moral Judgment The concepts of sin and moral judgment are not mere theological constructs but profound philosophical inquiries that have shaped human civilization, ethics, and our understanding of good and evil. This guide delves into the intricate history and diverse philosophical interpretations of...
The Enduring Dialectic: Unpacking Happiness and the Good Life The quest for happiness and the good life stands as one of humanity's most persistent and profound inquiries. From the bustling agora of ancient Athens to the quiet contemplation of a modern mind, we grapple with what it means...
The Ethics of Slavery and Human Labor By Benjamin Richmond The question of slavery and its relationship to human labor stands as one of the most profound and enduring ethical dilemmas in human history. From ancient civilizations to its formal abolition in much of the modern world, slavery has been...
The Ethical Dilemmas of Immortality: A Timeless Conundrum The dream of eternal life, a reprieve from the inevitability of death, has captivated humanity since time immemorial. From ancient myths of gods and heroes granted unending existence to modern scientific pursuits promising radical life extension, the allure of immortality is undeniable....
The Enduring Enigma: The Idea of Good and Evil in Religion Summary: The concepts of "Good and Evil" stand as foundational pillars in nearly every religious tradition, profoundly shaping their theology, cosmology, ethics, and understanding of human purpose. This article delves into how religion grapples with the idea...
The Labyrinthine Interplay: Exploring the Problem of Sin and Will The human condition is perpetually entangled in the profound philosophical and theological problem of sin and will. At its core, this inquiry seeks to understand how a seemingly free will can choose actions deemed contrary to the good, leading to...
The Unbearable Contradiction: The Ethics of Slavery and Family The institution of slavery represents one of humanity's most profound ethical failures, a stark illustration of the conflict between power and personhood. At its heart, slavery is a system that denies fundamental human dignity, reducing individuals to property. Yet,...
The Enduring Element of Good and Evil in the World: A Metaphysical Inquiry Summary: The concepts of good and evil are not mere abstract ideas but fundamental elements woven into the fabric of human experience and the very structure of our World. This article delves into the enduring philosophical quest...
The Idea of Universal Happiness: A Philosophical Odyssey The quest for happiness is arguably the most fundamental human endeavor, a thread woven through the tapestry of all cultures and epochs. But what if this personal pursuit could transcend individual experience, culminating in a state of universal well-being? The "Idea...
The Enduring Distinction Between Virtue and Vice: A Philosophical Compass The journey through what it means to live a good life is as old as philosophy itself, and at its heart lies the fundamental distinction between virtue and vice. This article explores this crucial ethical divide, offering a definition of...
The Enduring Opposition: Good and Evil in the World The profound opposition between Good and Evil stands as one of humanity's most persistent philosophical challenges, shaping our understanding of the World and our very Being. This article explores the multifaceted nature of this fundamental duality, tracing its conceptual...
The Ethical Dilemma of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin Summary: Lying, a pervasive human act, presents one of philosophy's most enduring ethical dilemmas. This pillar page explores the complex interplay between Truth, Sin, Duty, and the concepts of Good and Evil as philosophers and theologians have grappled with...
The Elusive Apex: Unpacking the Definition of Happiness The quest for happiness is perhaps the most ancient and enduring human endeavor, yet its definition remains stubbornly elusive. Is it a fleeting state of contentment, a profound sense of well-being, or something entirely different? This article delves into the philosophical bedrock...
The Aristocratic Idea of the Good Life: Excellence, Virtue, and Flourishing The concept of the "good life" has captivated philosophers for millennia, prompting profound inquiries into human purpose and societal structure. Among the most enduring and, perhaps, most controversial frameworks for understanding this pursuit is the Aristocratic Idea...