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 Foundation: Labor's Indispensable Role in the State Summary: Labor as the State's Primal Necessity The enduring viability and complex functioning of any State are inextricably linked to the organized Labor of its citizens. Far from being a contingent element, Labor stands as an absolute...
The Indispensable Framework: Law as the Foundation of Civil Liberty In the grand tapestry of human thought, few concepts are as intertwined, yet often misunderstood, as law and liberty. At first glance, they appear to be antagonists: law, a system of rules and restrictions; liberty, the cherished freedom from constraint....
Causality's Enduring Riddle: A Dialogue Between Physics and Metaphysics Summary: The concept of cause is fundamental to our understanding of the universe, yet its nature is debated across scientific and philosophical realms. While Physics meticulously describes the observable mechanisms of cause and effect, Metaphysics delves into the deeper...
The Entanglement of Existence: Unpacking the Problem of Fate and Necessity The human experience is profoundly shaped by a persistent, often unsettling question: Are we truly free, or are our lives merely playing out a script written by forces beyond our control? This is the essence of The Problem of...
The Unpredictable Hand: Exploring the Role of Chance in History History, often presented as a grand narrative of cause and effect, is frequently punctuated by events that defy simple explanation – moments where the unpredictable intervenes, altering the course of civilizations. This article delves into the profound role of chance in...
The Indispensable Foundation: Why Education is a Necessity for Democracy In the grand tapestry of human governance, democracy stands as a testament to the collective will and shared responsibility of its people. Yet, its enduring strength and very survival are not accidental or guaranteed; they are, in fact, contingent upon...
The Indispensable Virtue: The Necessity of Courage in War In the crucible of armed conflict, where the stakes are life and death, and the fabric of human endurance is tested to its absolute limit, the virtue of courage transcends mere admirable quality; it becomes an undeniable necessity. This article explores...
The Enduring Enigma of Causality: A Metaphysical Conundrum Summary: The problem of causality stands as a foundational, yet profoundly perplexing, issue within metaphysics. Far from being a simple observation of events, the nature of cause and effect probes the very fabric of reality, questioning whether connections between phenomena are truly...
The Unyielding Foundation: Why Truth is Necessary for Knowledge In the grand pursuit of understanding, few concepts are as fundamental, yet as frequently debated, as the relationship between truth and knowledge. At planksip.org, we contend that truth is not merely a desirable attribute of knowledge, but an absolute necessity....
The Indispensable Engine: Why Labor is the Lifeblood of the State The very existence and flourishing of any organized society, from ancient city-states to modern nations, hinges on a fundamental truth: the necessity of labor. This article explores how labor, in its myriad forms, is not merely a component but...
The Indispensable Framework: Why Law is the Bedrock of Civil Liberty Many intuitively view law as an antithesis to liberty, a restrictive force that curtails natural freedoms. This perception, however, belies a profound philosophical truth, one explored by the great thinkers of Western civilization: law is not merely a limitation...
The Philosophical Meaning of Chance Chance. The word itself conjures images of dice rolls, unforeseen accidents, or the arbitrary turns of fate. But for the philosopher, chance is far more than mere randomness; it is a profound concept that challenges our understanding of cause, the fabric of reality, and even...
