Opinion

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.

596 posts

The Role of Rhetoric in Opinion Formation and Role

by Daniel Fletcher in Role

The Enduring Role of Rhetoric in Opinion Formation From the ancient agora to the modern digital forum, rhetoric has played an indispensable role in shaping human thought, influencing decisions, and ultimately, forging the bedrock of individual and collective opinion. Far from being mere ornamental language, rhetoric is the art of...

The Philosophical Basis of Rhetoric and Philosophy

by Daniel Sanderson in Philosophy

The Philosophical Basis of Rhetoric: Beyond Mere Persuasion Rhetoric, often misconstrued as mere sophistry or the art of manipulation, possesses a profound and intricate philosophical foundation. Far from being a superficial technique, rhetoric, at its core, delves into fundamental questions about truth, knowledge, human language, and the very nature of...

The Distinction Between Opinion and Truth and Distinction

by Benjamin Richmond in Distinction

Navigating the Labyrinth of Belief: The Essential Distinction Between Opinion and Truth The modern world, awash in information and competing narratives, often blurs the lines between what we feel to be true and what is demonstrably true. Yet, for millennia, philosophers have grappled with the fundamental distinction between opinion and...

The Logic of Opinion and Belief and Logic

by Daniel Fletcher in Logic

The Logic of Opinion and Belief: Navigating the Labyrinth of Our Minds We live in a world awash with opinions and beliefs, a constant deluge from social media feeds to dinner table debates. But how often do we truly pause to examine the underlying logic that shapes these convictions, both...

The Logic of Opinion and Knowledge and Logic

by Benjamin Richmond in Logic

The Logic of Opinion and Knowledge: Navigating the Labyrinth of Belief Summary: In the vast landscape of human thought, we constantly grapple with the distinction between what we believe to be true and what we know to be true. This article explores the fundamental differences between opinion and knowledge, arguing...

The Role of Emotion in Political Opinion and Emotion

by Emily Fletcher in Emotion

The Unseen Hand: How Emotion Shapes Political Opinion Political discourse often presumes a landscape of rational deliberation, where facts and logical arguments are the primary architects of public opinion. Yet, a deeper examination, guided by the wisdom of the Great Books of the Western World and contemporary insights, reveals a...

The Power of Language to Create Opinion and Language

by Benjamin Richmond in Language

The Unseen Architect: How Language Forges Opinion Language is not merely a tool for communication; it is the very forge upon which opinion is shaped, beliefs are cast, and reality is interpreted. From the subtle nuances of a single word to the grand narratives woven by rhetoric, our understanding of...

The Nature of Democracy and Rhetoric and Nature

by Daniel Sanderson in Nature

The Eloquent Dance: Unpacking the Nature of Democracy and Rhetoric The vitality of any democratic society hinges on an intricate, often tumultuous, relationship between its citizens and the language used to persuade them. At its core, the nature of democracy is a system built on the collective opinion of its...

The Distinction Between Opinion and Sense and Distinction

by Benjamin Richmond in Distinction

Beyond Mere Belief: Unpacking the Distinction Between Opinion and Sense In the pursuit of understanding, few distinctions are as crucial yet often conflated as that between opinion and sense. While sense provides the raw, immediate data of our experience, and opinion represents our subjective interpretations and beliefs about that data,...

The Logic of Judgment and Opinion and Logic

by Emily Fletcher in Logic

The Logic of Judgment and Opinion: A Path to Clarity Summary In the vast landscape of human thought, logic serves as the indispensable compass guiding our intellectual journey. This article explores how logic underpins the formation of both judgment and opinion, illuminating their distinct natures and their complex relationship with...

The Role of Opinion in Democracy and Opinion

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Opinion

The Unseen Architecture: How Opinion Shapes Democracy Democracy, at its core, is a tapestry woven from the diverse threads of individual and collective opinion. Far from being a mere byproduct, opinion is the dynamic force that propels political discourse, informs policy, and ultimately defines the will of the citizen. This...

The Role of Art in Shaping Opinion and Art

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Art

The Canvas of Persuasion: How Art Sculpts the Mind and Shapes Opinion Beyond Aesthetics: Art as a Rhetorical Force Art, far from being mere aesthetics or a pleasant diversion, stands as a profound force in the philosophical landscape, acting as a potent form of rhetoric that subtly yet powerfully influences...

The Difference Between Opinion and Truth and Opinion

by Daniel Sanderson in Opinion

Navigating the Labyrinth: Discerning Opinion from Truth Summary: In an age awash with information, understanding the fundamental distinction between opinion and truth is more critical than ever. This article explores how opinions, rooted in subjective belief and personal experience, differ profoundly from truths, which are objective, verifiable, and independent of...

The Power of Rhetoric in Democracy and Rhetoric

by Benjamin Richmond in Rhetoric

The Power of Rhetoric in Democracy: Shaping Opinion, Forging Consensus Summary: In any vibrant democracy, the art of rhetoric stands as an indispensable force, shaping public opinion, fostering debate, and ultimately determining the course of collective action. Far from mere sophistry, rhetoric is the very language through which ideas are...

The Definition of Rhetoric and Definition

by Henry Montgomery in Definition

The Enduring Art: Unpacking the Definition of Rhetoric A Concise Overview of Rhetoric Rhetoric, at its core, is the art of persuasion – the skillful and deliberate use of language to influence thought, action, and opinion. Far from being mere sophistry or empty embellishment, a thorough understanding of its definition reveals...

The Nature of True Opinion (Doxa) and Opinion

by Daniel Sanderson in Opinion

Beyond Mere Belief: Unpacking the Nature of True Opinion (Doxa) The quest for understanding often begins not with absolute certainty, but with what we think we know. This realm of thought, known in ancient Greek as doxa, or opinion, forms the bedrock of our everyday interactions and beliefs. But what...

Analyzing Propaganda through Rhetoric and Rhetoric

by Emily Fletcher in Rhetoric

Analyzing Propaganda Through Rhetoric: A Philosophical Lens Propaganda, in its essence, is the systematic dissemination of information—often biased or misleading—to promote a particular political cause or point of view. At its heart lies rhetoric, the art of persuasion, which serves as both its primary tool and its most...

Experience and the Formation of Opinion and Experience

by Daniel Sanderson in Experience

The Unfolding Tapestry: How Experience Weaves Our Opinions Our understanding of the world, our very stances on truth, ethics, and even the mundane, are not born in a vacuum. They are, rather, the intricate products of what we perceive, process, and reflect upon. This article explores the profound philosophical interplay...

The Logic of Opinion and Belief and Logic

by Daniel Fletcher in Logic

The Logic of Opinion and Belief: Navigating the Landscape of the Mind Summary: In a world awash with countless viewpoints, understanding the fundamental distinctions between opinion, belief, and knowledge is paramount. This article delves into the logic that underpins how we form and validate our perspectives, exploring the journey from...

The Logic of Opinion and Knowledge and Logic

by Benjamin Richmond in Logic

The Logic of Opinion and Knowledge: Charting the Course from Belief to Understanding Summary In an age awash with information, distinguishing between mere opinion and genuine knowledge has never been more critical. This article explores the fundamental philosophical distinction between these two states of belief, arguing that logic serves as...

The Role of Emotion in Political Opinion and Emotion

by Emily Fletcher in Emotion

The Unseen Architect: How Emotion Shapes Political Opinion Summary: For centuries, philosophers have grappled with the intricate dance between reason and passion within the human psyche. While we often aspire to form political opinions based on pure logic and evidence, the truth, as understood by the great thinkers from Plato...

The Power of Language to Create Opinion and Language

by Benjamin Richmond in Language

The Architect of Assent: How Language Forges Opinion A Philosophical Exploration of Linguistic Influence Summary: Language is far more than a mere tool for communication; it is the fundamental architect of human opinion. Through its intricate weave of signs and symbols, language doesn't just express pre-existing thoughts but...

The Nature of Democracy and Rhetoric and Nature

by Daniel Sanderson in Nature

The Nature of Democracy and Rhetoric: A Philosophical Interplay The intricate relationship between democracy and rhetoric is not merely a historical curiosity but a living, breathing dynamic that shapes the very essence of our societies. This article explores how the nature of democratic governance is inextricably linked to the art...

The Distinction Between Opinion and Sense and Distinction

by Benjamin Richmond in Distinction

The Distinction Between Opinion and Sense: A Philosophical Journey to Knowledge Summary: In the grand tapestry of human understanding, few distinctions are as fundamental yet frequently blurred as that between opinion and sense. While opinion represents a subjective belief, often unverified and prone to change, and "sense" primarily...

The Logic of Judgment and Opinion and Logic

by Emily Fletcher in Logic

The Logical Architecture of Our Beliefs: Navigating Judgment and Opinion The human mind is a bustling workshop, constantly processing information, drawing conclusions, and forming views about the world. At the heart of this intricate process lie two fundamental cognitive acts: judgment and opinion. While often used interchangeably in everyday conversation,...

The Role of Opinion in Democracy and Opinion

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Opinion

The Crucible of Ideas: Unpacking the Role of Opinion in Democracy In the grand theatre of human governance, few concepts are as central, yet as contentious, as opinion. From ancient Athenian agora to modern digital forums, the collective and individual opinion of the citizen forms the very bedrock upon which...

The Role of Art in Shaping Opinion and Art

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Art

The Palette of Persuasion: How Art Sculpts Our Opinions Summary: Art, in its myriad forms, is far more than mere aesthetic adornment; it is a potent force in shaping human opinion. From ancient Greek tragedies to contemporary digital installations, artists have historically leveraged their craft to communicate ideas, challenge norms,...

The Difference Between Opinion and Truth and Opinion

by Daniel Sanderson in Opinion

Navigating the Labyrinth: Unpacking the Difference Between Opinion and Truth The words opinion and truth are bandied about in our daily discourse with surprising fluidity, often blurring lines that, in the realm of philosophy, are distinct and profoundly important. At its core, the difference lies in their relationship to objectivity...

The Power of Rhetoric in Democracy and Rhetoric

by Benjamin Richmond in Rhetoric

The Eloquent Architect: How Rhetoric Shapes Democratic Opinion Summary: In the vibrant theater of democracy, rhetoric is not merely a tool of persuasion but the very language through which collective opinion is forged, debated, and ultimately, realized. It is the art of shaping public discourse, transforming individual thoughts into shared...

The Definition of Rhetoric and Definition

by Henry Montgomery in Definition

The Enduring Art: Unpacking the Definition of Rhetoric By Henry Montgomery Rhetoric, often misunderstood and sometimes maligned, stands as one of the oldest and most profound subjects within the Great Books of the Western World. At its core, rhetoric is far more than mere ornamentation of speech; it is the...

The Nature of True Opinion (Doxa) and Opinion

by Daniel Sanderson in Opinion

The Elusive Spark: Unpacking the Nature of True Opinion (Doxa) In the grand tapestry of human thought, few distinctions are as pivotal yet perpetually debated as that between mere opinion and genuine knowledge. This article delves into the fascinating and often perplexing concept of doxa, or true opinion, exploring its...

Analyzing Propaganda through Rhetoric and Rhetoric

by Emily Fletcher in Rhetoric

Analyzing Propaganda through Rhetoric: A Philosophical Lens Propaganda, in its essence, is the deliberate manipulation of public perception to advance a specific agenda. While often associated with modern political campaigns or wartime efforts, its roots delve deep into the history of human persuasion, finding its most potent tool in the...

Experience and the Formation of Opinion and Experience

by Daniel Sanderson in Experience

The Forge of Thought: How Experience Shapes Our Opinions Our understanding of the world, and indeed the very fabric of our beliefs, is inextricably linked to the sum of our interactions with reality. This article delves into the profound relationship between experience and the formation of opinion, exploring how raw...

The Role of Rhetoric in Opinion Formation and Role

by Daniel Fletcher in Role

The Enduring Role of Rhetoric in Shaping Citizen Opinion The formation of public opinion is a complex dance, influenced by countless factors from personal experience to media narratives. Yet, at its very core, lies the ancient and powerful art of rhetoric. Far from being mere ornate speech, rhetoric is the...

You’ve successfully subscribed to planksip®
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Success! Your email is updated.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.
Please enter at least 3 characters 0 Results for your search