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 Scales of Justice: Unpacking the Ethics of Punishment A Philosophical Inquiry into Society's Right to Punish Punishment is a fundamental, yet deeply contentious, aspect of human society. From ancient codes to modern legal systems, societies have grappled with the profound question of why and how we ought...
The Unbreakable Bond: Exploring the Connection Between Revolution and Justice Summary The relationship between revolution and justice is one of the most profound and contentious subjects in political philosophy. This article posits that revolution, while often violent and disruptive, frequently emerges from a deep-seated demand for justice when the existing...
The intricate relationship between Law and Justice forms the bedrock of any functioning society and has been a ceaseless subject of philosophical inquiry since antiquity. Far from being interchangeable, these two concepts represent an ongoing, often tension-filled, connection that defines the legitimacy and moral compass of the State. While law...
The Ethics of Slavery and Labor: A Philosophical Inquiry The relationship between slavery, labor, and ethics forms one of the most enduring and challenging inquiries in the history of human thought. From the foundational texts of ancient Greece to the critiques of modern capitalism, philosophers have grappled with the moral...
The Enduring Nexus: Exploring the Relation Between Wealth and Justice The intricate relation between wealth and justice has been a cornerstone of philosophical inquiry for millennia. Far from being separate domains, the accumulation and distribution of wealth profoundly impact our understanding and implementation of justice within society. From ancient city-states...
The Golden Fetters: Unpacking the Philosophical Link Between Wealth and Slavery Summary: Wealth, often pursued as the ultimate liberator, has a disturbing and complex historical and philosophical entanglement with Slavery. This article delves into how the pursuit and accumulation of Wealth have, across millennia, relied upon or led to various...
The Constitution as a Framework for Justice: An Enduring Philosophical Blueprint The concept of a just society has captivated philosophers for millennia, from Plato's ideal Republic to the Enlightenment's treatises on natural rights. In the modern era, many nations have sought to codify these lofty ideals...
The Unblinking Eye of Reason: Justice as Impartial Judgment Justice, that most elusive yet essential cornerstone of any civilized society, often finds its truest expression not in grand pronouncements or punitive measures, but in the quiet, rigorous act of impartial judgment. To understand Justice is, in many respects, to grasp...
The Enduring Dialectic: Navigating the Universal and Particular in Law In the grand tapestry of human thought, few philosophical tensions are as persistent and profound as the interplay between the Universal and Particular. This fundamental Relation is nowhere more critical than within the realm of Law, where abstract ideals of...
The Indelible Stain: Grappling with the Ethical Dilemma of Slavery Summary: Slavery represents one of humanity's most enduring and profound ethical dilemmas, a practice that has persisted across civilizations despite its fundamental contradiction with core principles of justice and liberty. This article explores the philosophical arguments both for...
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 Unblinking Eye of Justice: Impartial Judgment in the Western Tradition Justice, at its very core, demands an unwavering impartiality. It is the dispassionate judgment rendered without prejudice, favoring neither friend nor foe, but adhering strictly to the dictates of Law and the rigors of sound Reasoning. This ideal, deeply...
The Unbearable Weight of Chains: Unpacking the Ethical Dilemma of Slavery The institution of slavery, a practice that has stained the annals of human history across civilizations and epochs, presents one of philosophy's most profound and enduring ethical dilemmas. It is a stark paradox, challenging our understanding of...
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...
Justice as the Virtue of the State: A Planksip Exploration The notion of justice often conjures images of courts, scales, and individual rights. Yet, a profound tradition within Western philosophy posits justice not merely as an attribute of individuals, but as the quintessential virtue of the state itself. This article...
Labor, Freedom, and Slavery: A Philosophical Nexus Summary: The Enduring Conundrum of Human Endeavor The intricate relationship between labor, freedom, and slavery forms a foundational pillar of philosophical inquiry, stretching back to antiquity and resonating profoundly in contemporary discourse. This article delves into how these concepts have been understood, contested,...
The Unfolding Definition of a Just War: A Philosophical Inquiry into Conflict and Conscience Summary: Navigating the Ethics of Armed Conflict The concept of a just war, deeply rooted in Western philosophical and theological traditions, provides a critical framework for evaluating the ethical permissibility of armed conflict. Far from glorifying...
The Function of Punishment in Justice Punishment, at its core, serves as a mechanism by which society, through its Law, seeks to uphold Justice. This article explores the multifaceted functions of punishment, examining its historical justifications, its various theoretical underpinnings, and its intricate relationship with the principles of justice and...
The Principle of Liberty in Law: A Cornerstone of Just Governance The concept of liberty, often celebrated as an inherent human aspiration, finds its most critical and complex expression within the framework of law. At its core, The Principle of Liberty in Law posits that a just legal system must...
The Enduring Quest: The Nature of Justice in a Democratic State Summary: The concept of justice stands as the bedrock of any civil society, yet its precise definition and implementation become profoundly complex within the framework of a democratic state. This pillar page delves into the multifaceted nature of justice,...
