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.
Navigating the Abyss: The Enduring Element of Good and Evil in Our World From the earliest myths to the most complex philosophical treatises, humanity has grappled with the fundamental element of Good and Evil. These aren't merely abstract concepts but powerful forces that shape our individual lives, societies,...
The Philosophical Concept of Being: An Inquiry into Existence Itself At the very bedrock of philosophical inquiry lies the profound and often elusive concept of Being. What does it mean for something to be? This seemingly simple question unlocks a universe of contemplation, forming the cornerstone of metaphysics and shaping...
The Element of Being and Non-Being: A Fundamental Metaphysical Inquiry The very act of questioning existence inevitably leads us to its elusive counterpart: non-existence. This article delves into the profound philosophical Element of Being and Non-Being, exploring their intricate Opposition as a cornerstone of Metaphysics. From ancient Greek thought to...
The Enduring Quest for Definition: Unpacking Quality and Form In the grand tapestry of philosophical inquiry, few threads are as fundamental and persistently fascinating as the concepts of Quality and Form. From the ancient Greeks to contemporary thought, humanity has grappled with how we define what things are and how...
The Measure of Being: Unpacking the Philosophical Problem of Quantity From the simplest act of counting apples to the most complex equations of theoretical physics, quantity seems an undeniable and fundamental aspect of our reality. Yet, for millennia, philosophers have grappled with its true nature, moving beyond mere numerical assignment...
Unraveling the Fabric of Reality: The Problem of Causality in Metaphysics The universe, as we experience it, is a ceaseless flow of events. Things happen, and other things follow. A thrown stone shatters a window; a spark ignites a fire; a thought precedes an action. This seemingly intuitive connection, where...
The Unfolding Mystery: Exploring the Nature of Eternity and Time The concepts of Eternity and Time stand as colossal pillars in the edifice of Metaphysics, challenging philosophers for millennia. This pillar page delves into their profound definitions, their intricate relation, and the enduring questions they pose, drawing insights from the...
The Idea of God as a First Principle: Unveiling the Metaphysical Bedrock Summary At the very core of Western philosophical inquiry, particularly within the vast landscape of Metaphysics, lies a profound and persistent question: What is the ultimate Principle from which all else derives? For many of the greatest minds...
The Enduring Enigma: Exploring the Immortality of the Soul The question of the Immortality of the Soul stands as one of humanity's most persistent and profound inquiries, reaching into the very core of our existence and our understanding of what it means to be. This article delves into...
The Enduring Enigma: Defining the One and the Many From the earliest stirrings of philosophical thought, humanity has grappled with a fundamental dichotomy: the One and the Many. This profound tension, central to Metaphysics, seeks to understand the ultimate nature of reality—is it fundamentally a unified whole, or is...
The Enduring Enigma of Universal Ideas: What Are They, Really? Summary: The metaphysical status of universal ideas explores whether shared concepts like "redness," "justice," or "humanity" exist independently of the individual objects or instances that embody them. This fundamental philosophical question, tracing its roots...
The Unseen Divide: Unpacking the Distinction Between Being and Essence The distinction between being and essence is a foundational concept in Metaphysics, providing a lens through which philosophers have grappled with the nature of reality, existence, and identity for millennia. At its core, this philosophical separation asks us to consider...
The Enduring Enigma: Unraveling the Problem of One and Many The Problem of One and Many is one of philosophy's most ancient and persistent puzzles, a profound challenge within Metaphysics that asks how the diverse, individual things we perceive (the Many) can be reconciled with, or emerge from,...
Unpacking the Ultimate Question: The Concept of Being in Metaphysics The Concept of Being stands as the quintessential element at the heart of Metaphysics, the branch of philosophy dedicated to exploring the fundamental nature of reality. At its core, Being refers to existence itself – what it means for something to...
The Enduring Riddle: Deconstructing the Element of Good and Evil in the World The concepts of Good and Evil stand as perhaps the most enduring and perplexing Element in the tapestry of human existence. From the earliest myths to the most sophisticated philosophical treatises, humanity has grappled with their nature,...
The Unfolding Mystery of Existence: A Philosophical Inquiry into Being The concept of Being stands as one of the most fundamental and enduring inquiries within philosophy, particularly in the realm of metaphysics. At its core, it asks: What does it mean for something to exist? What is the nature of...
The Enduring Riddle of Existence: Unpacking the Philosophical Problem of One and Many Summary: The philosophical problem of the One and Many stands as one of the most fundamental and enduring inquiries in the history of thought, deeply embedded within Philosophy's very fabric. At its core, it grapples...
The Indissoluble Link: Exploring Being in Relation to Quality Summary: At the heart of metaphysics lies the profound relation between a thing's Being and its Quality. This article delves into how these fundamental concepts are inextricably intertwined, exploring the idea that our understanding of what something is (its...