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 Element: Good and Evil in the World Summary The question of good and evil is not merely a moral dilemma but a fundamental "element" woven into the very fabric of our "world." This article delves into the "metaphysics" of this dichotomy, exploring...
The Philosophical Concept of Being: An Exploration of Existence Itself The concept of Being stands as the bedrock of philosophy, a fundamental principle that underpins all inquiry into existence, reality, and knowledge. Far from being a simple notion, Being is the profound and often elusive subject of metaphysics and ontology,...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Navigating the Philosophical Problem of One and Many The question of how reality can be both a unified whole and a collection of distinct, individual parts is one of philosophy's most enduring and profound challenges. This is the Philosophical Problem of One and Many, a...
The Intrinsic Link: Understanding Being in Relation to Quality This article delves into the profound philosophical connection between Being and Quality, exploring how these fundamental concepts intertwine to shape our understanding of existence. We will unravel the intricate relation between what something is (its Being) and the attributes that define...
The Unseen Architect: Exploring God as the First Cause The human mind, ever curious, naturally seeks explanations. We ask "why?" and "how?" countless times a day, delving into the intricate web of causes and effects that shape our reality. But what if this chain of causation...
Navigating the Unfathomable: The Problem of Time and Infinity Summary: The concepts of Time and Infinity represent two of the most enduring and perplexing problems in Metaphysics. From ancient Greek thought to modern cosmology, philosophers have grappled with their elusive nature, their profound interrelationship, and the challenges they pose to...
Unraveling Existence: The Logic of Same and Other in Metaphysics Summary: At the very heart of metaphysics lies a deceptively simple yet profoundly complex distinction: the logic of "Same" and "Other." This foundational concept, explored by thinkers from the ancient Greeks to contemporary philosophers, is indispensable...
The Philosophy of Space: An Enduring Cosmic Inquiry From the ancient Greeks pondering the void to modern physicists grappling with the fabric of spacetime, the concept of space has been a relentless intellectual challenge, deeply intertwined with metaphysics and physics. This article embarks on a journey through the history of...
The Metaphysical Status of Universal Forms A Fundamental Inquiry into Reality's Structure The question of "The Metaphysical Status of Universal Forms" stands as one of philosophy's most enduring and profound inquiries. At its heart, this debate seeks to understand the nature of shared properties,...
The Enduring Riddle: Unpacking the Metaphysical Problem of the One and Many Let's be honest, some philosophical questions just stick with you. They refuse to be relegated to dusty tomes, instead echoing through the ages, shaping how we perceive reality itself. Foremost among these is "The Metaphysical...
The Elemental Dance: Being, Non-Being, and the Fabric of Reality Summary At the very bedrock of metaphysics lies the profound inquiry into the Element of Being and Non-Being. This foundational opposition has vexed and inspired philosophers for millennia, forming the crucible from which our understanding of existence, change, and reality...
The Enduring Dance of Essence: Unpacking Quality and Form In the vast tapestry of philosophical inquiry, few concepts are as fundamental, yet as elusive, as Quality and Form. These are not mere academic terms, but the very lenses through which we perceive, categorize, and understand reality itself. At their core,...
The Elusive Nature of Number: Unpacking the Philosophical Problem of Quantity The concept of quantity seems, on the surface, straightforward. We count, we measure, we quantify our world with an almost innate ease. Yet, for millennia, philosophers have grappled with its true nature, revealing a profound and persistent problem at...
The Elusive Thread: Unraveling the Problem of Causality in Metaphysics The problem of causality stands as one of the most enduring and perplexing challenges in metaphysics, probing the very fabric of reality and how events connect. At its core, it asks: What does it mean for one thing to cause...
Unveiling the Fabric of Existence: The Nature of Eternity and Time Greetings, fellow wanderers through the labyrinth of thought! Today, we embark on a profound journey into the very bedrock of our reality, exploring concepts that have captivated philosophers, theologians, and scientists for millennia: Eternity and Time. These aren'...
The Enduring Question: Exploring the Immortality of the Soul The concept of the Immortality of the Soul stands as one of humanity's most profound and persistent inquiries, threading its way through millennia of philosophical thought and religious doctrine. This article delves into the rich history of this idea,...
The Unfolding Riddle: Defining the One and the Many The grand tapestry of existence, with its bewildering array of phenomena, often compels the philosopher to seek a fundamental underlying truth. This quest invariably leads to one of the most ancient and persistent problems in Metaphysics: the Definition and Relation of...
The Enduring Mystery: What's the Real Deal with Universal Ideas? Have you ever pondered what "redness" is? Not a red apple, or a red car, but the quality of redness itself? This seemingly simple question plunges us into one of philosophy's deepest and most...
The Unpacking of Existence: Being vs. Essence Summary: The distinction between Being and Essence is a cornerstone of Metaphysics, illuminating how we understand reality. Simply put, Being refers to the sheer fact that something exists, its act of existing. Essence, on the other hand, refers to what a thing is...
The Enduring Riddle: Navigating the Problem of One and Many A Foundation of Metaphysics The "Problem of One and Many" stands as one of the most fundamental and persistent questions in Metaphysics. At its core, it grapples with how we reconcile the singular unity we perceive in things...
Beyond the Horizon: The Enduring Hypothesis of Multiple Worlds Summary: The Hypothesis of multiple Worlds is one of philosophy's most captivating and persistent ideas, challenging our understanding of reality, existence, and our place in the cosmos. From ancient Greek atomists contemplating an infinite array of universes to modern...
The Enduring Essence: Unpacking the Matter-Form Distinction in Physical Objects In the grand tapestry of philosophical inquiry, few concepts are as foundational yet as perpetually fascinating as the distinction between matter and form. This isn't just an abstract intellectual exercise; it's a way of looking at...
The Limitless Nature of Infinity: A Journey Through Thought Infinity. The word itself conjures images of endless vistas, boundless possibilities, and concepts stretching beyond the grasp of immediate comprehension. It is a notion that has captivated the greatest minds throughout history, serving as a cornerstone for both advanced mathematics and...
Causality in Physics and Metaphysics: Tracing the Threads of Connection Summary: The concept of cause lies at the very heart of how we understand existence, shaping our scientific inquiries and our deepest philosophical ponderings. In physics, causality primarily concerns the observable mechanisms and predictable sequences of events, seeking to uncover...
The Concept of the Soul in Ancient Philosophy: A Journey Through Metaphysics and Being The concept of the soul stands as one of the most enduring and profound subjects in the history of philosophy, particularly within the ancient world. Far from being a mere theological construct, the soul in antiquity...
The Enduring Quest: Unpacking the Idea of Form in Metaphysics The concept of Form stands as a bedrock in the grand edifice of Metaphysics, the branch of philosophy dedicated to understanding the fundamental nature of Being and reality. From the ancient Greeks, particularly Plato and Aristotle, to contemporary thought, the...
Unraveling the Enigma: The Distinction Between Mind and Soul The concepts of mind and soul have captivated thinkers for millennia, forming the bedrock of countless philosophical and theological traditions. While often used interchangeably in casual conversation, a deeper dive into metaphysics reveals a crucial and fascinating distinction. This article explores...
The Unfolding Mystery: Navigating the Problem of Time and Eternity A Brief Glimpse into the Abyss The Problem of Time and Eternity stands as one of the most enduring and perplexing challenges in Metaphysics. At its core, it grapples with the fundamental nature of existence itself: Is time a real,...
The Unfathomable Depths of Existence: Exploring the Concept of Being in Metaphysics The concept of Being stands as the cornerstone of metaphysics, a profound and enduring inquiry into what it means for anything to exist at all. Far from a simple dictionary definition, Being in philosophy delves into the fundamental...
The Enduring Dualism: Exploring the Element of Good and Evil in the World From the dawn of human consciousness, the concepts of good and evil have loomed large, shaping our ethics, our laws, and our understanding of existence itself. This article delves into the Element of Good and Evil as...
The Philosophical Concept of Being: An Inquiry into Existence Itself Summary: The philosophical concept of "Being" is arguably the most fundamental and pervasive inquiry in the history of thought. It asks, quite simply, what it means for something to exist. Far from a trivial question, this seemingly straightforward...
Unraveling the Fabric of Reality: The Philosophical Problem of One and Many Summary The philosophical problem of One and Many is a foundational inquiry into the nature of existence, asking how a world seemingly composed of countless distinct things can also possess a fundamental unity, or conversely, how a singular...
The Substance of Existence: Unpacking the Relation Between Being and Quality Summary The relation between "Being"—the fundamental fact of existence—and "Quality"—the inherent characteristics that define what something is—is a cornerstone of Metaphysics. This article delves into how, while Being is the primary...
The Unmoved Mover: Exploring the Concept of God as First Cause Unraveling the Ultimate Origin The concept of God as the First Cause represents one of humanity's most enduring and profound philosophical inquiries. It posits that for the universe to exist, there must be an ultimate, uncaused origin...