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 Unyielding Tapestry of Existence: Unpacking the Universal Law of Cause and Effect A Fundamental Principle of Being and Knowing Summary: The Universal Law of Cause and Effect stands as one of the most fundamental principles governing our understanding of reality. Far from a mere observation, it posits that every...
The Ethical Duty of the Citizen: A Perennial Inquiry The concept of a "citizen" carries with it an inherent weight, a tapestry woven from rights, responsibilities, and the often-complex thread of ethical duty. From the ancient polis to the sprawling modern nation-state, philosophers have grappled with what it...
The Enduring Role of Punishment in Maintaining Order A Philosophical Inquiry into Justice and the State Summary This article delves into the perennial philosophical question of punishment's indispensable role in maintaining social order, drawing extensively from the intellectual heritage of the Great Books of the Western World. From...
The Political Philosophy of Liberty: An Enduring Inquiry into Freedom Introduction: Defining the Contours of Freedom The concept of Liberty stands as one of the most compelling and contentious subjects within political Philosophy. At its core, it grapples with the fundamental question of individual freedom in relation to collective authority,...
The Constitution as a Framework for Justice: A Philosophical Examination The Constitution stands not merely as a legal document but as a profound philosophical statement, embodying principles designed to establish and maintain justice within a society. It serves as the foundational framework, a set of rules and ideals through which...
The Unseen Architecture: Exploring the Law of Cause and Effect The Law of Cause and Effect stands as one of the most fundamental principles governing our universe and our understanding of it. Simply put, it posits that every effect, every event, every outcome, is the direct result of a preceding...
The Enduring Fabric of Society: Marriage as Custom, Convention, and the Foundation of Family A Summary of Matrimonial Philosophy The institution of marriage, far from being a mere personal arrangement, stands as one of humanity's most profound Customs and Conventions. This article delves into the philosophical underpinnings of...
Justice as Impartial Judgment: A Cornerstone of Equitable Society By Henry Montgomery Justice, at its very heart, is an aspiration towards fairness and equity, a societal ideal that demands not merely the application of rules, but a profound commitment to impartial judgment. This article posits that true justice can only...
Unraveling the Threads of Justice and Retribution The concept of a just punishment is one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing challenges, a cornerstone of any civilized society's Law. At its heart lies a profound tension: how do we respond to wrongdoing in a way that...
The Enduring Quest: Unpacking the Universal Concept of Law A Chloe Fitzgerald Dispatch from the Philosophical Trenches Summary: The notion of a Universal Concept of Law has captivated philosophers for millennia, representing humanity's persistent search for an order that transcends mere human decree. From ancient Greek ideals of...
The Unseen Hand: Exploring the Universal Law of Cause and Effect By Henry Montgomery The Universal Law of Cause and Effect is not merely a scientific observation but a foundational Principle woven into the very fabric of existence, asserting that every effect has a preceding cause, and every cause will...
