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.
Unraveling the Threads of Existence: The Universal Law of Cause and Effect The intricate tapestry of reality, from the grand cosmic dance to the subtlest human thought, is woven with threads of consequence. At the heart of this ceaseless unfolding lies a Principle so fundamental, so pervasive, that it underpins...
The Principle of Progress in Evolution: A Philosophical Inquiry into Change and Direction Summary: The "Principle of Progress in Evolution" posits that evolution inherently drives life towards greater complexity, perfection, or adaptation over time. While intuitively appealing, this principle is deeply contentious, challenging us to distinguish between mere...
The Unseen Current: Exploring the Universal Principle of Life The persistent human endeavor to grasp the very essence of existence has, for millennia, led us to ponder a fundamental truth: Is there a singular, overarching principle that animates all life? This article ventures into the profound concept of the "...
The Inexorable Dance: Unpacking the Law of Cause and Effect The Law of Cause and Effect stands as one of the most fundamental principles guiding our understanding of the universe and our place within it. At its core, this law posits that every event, or "effect," is the...
In the grand tapestry of philosophical inquiry, few threads are as fundamental and tightly woven as the relationship between truth and knowledge. At planksip, we often grapple with the very essence of understanding, and today, we turn our gaze to an undeniable principle: the absolute necessity of truth for knowledge...
The Idea of God as a First Principle The concept of God, far from being solely a theological construct, has profoundly shaped Western Metaphysics as a First Principle for understanding reality itself. This article explores how philosophers, from antiquity through modernity, as documented in the Great Books of the Western...
The Unseen Hand: Exploring the Principle of Cause and Effect in Mechanics Summary: The principle of cause and effect lies at the very heart of our understanding of the physical world, particularly within the realm of mechanics. This fundamental concept posits that every event, or "effect," is the...
The Enduring Quest for Universal Laws: Unraveling Nature's Grand Design The concept of "Universal Laws of Nature" stands as one of philosophy's most profound and persistent inquiries. At its core, it refers to the fundamental, unchanging principles that govern the cosmos, from the smallest...
The Constitution stands as the bedrock of any organized society, a foundational principle that dictates the very structure and operation of government and the law it produces. It is more than just a document; it is a living covenant that defines rights, limits power, and establishes the framework for justice...
The Unshakeable Foundation: Understanding The Principle of Non-Contradiction Have you ever stopped to consider what makes coherent thought, well, coherent? What underpins our ability to reason, to distinguish between what is true and what is false, or even what makes sense at all? At the very core of all logic...
The Enduring Principle of Strife: Oppositional Forces in Nature Nature, in its profound and often bewildering complexity, is not merely a tapestry of harmonious elements but a dynamic arena where oppositional forces perpetually interact. This article explores the philosophical principle that change is born from this inherent tension, drawing insights...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Metaphysical Concept of Being A Journey into the Heart of Existence At the very core of philosophical inquiry lies a question so fundamental, yet so elusive, that it has captivated thinkers for millennia: What does it mean to be? This isn't a simple...
The Principle of Liberty in Law: A Cornerstone of Justice Summary: Upholding Freedom Through Legal Structures The Principle of Liberty in Law posits that the primary function of a just legal system is not merely to enforce order, but to safeguard and enhance individual freedom, ensuring that any curtailment of...
The Enduring Enigma: Unraveling the Logic of Cause and Effect The universe, in all its bewildering complexity, often appears to us as a grand tapestry woven from threads of interconnected events. At the heart of our attempt to comprehend this intricate design lies a fundamental Principle: the Logic of Cause...
The Unifying Thread: Exploring the Universal Principle of Reason The universe, in all its perplexing complexity, often seems to defy easy understanding. Yet, humanity has persistently sought patterns, meaning, and truth. At the heart of this quest lies a fundamental concept, a bedrock upon which all coherent thought is built:...
The Uncaused Cause: Navigating the Theological Debate on God's Cause The question of cause is fundamental to human understanding, driving our inquiries into the origins of everything from the cosmos to consciousness. Yet, when we turn this investigative lens towards God, the concept of cause becomes profoundly complex,...
The Unfolding of Thought: Embracing the Principle of Opposition in Dialectic By Chloe Fitzgerald Life, as we know it, is a constant interplay of forces – light and shadow, ebb and flow, question and answer. In the grand tapestry of philosophy, this fundamental truth finds its most rigorous expression in the...
The Enigma of Existence: Exploring the Philosophical Concept of Being The question of "Being" stands as the bedrock of philosophy, an ancient and enduring inquiry into the very nature of existence itself. Far from a simple dictionary definition, the philosophical concept of Being delves into what it means...
The Enduring Principle: Justice in War and Peace The question of justice, particularly in the extreme contexts of war and the delicate balance of peace, stands as one of humanity's most persistent and profound philosophical inquiries. This article delves into the historical and conceptual evolution of the Principle...
The Unshakeable Foundation: Exploring the Principle of Non-Contradiction The Principle of Non-Contradiction stands as one of the most fundamental tenets in all of philosophy and Logic, serving as an indispensable Principle for coherent thought and the pursuit of Truth. At its core, it asserts that something cannot simultaneously be and...
The Enduring Quest for a Universal Concept of Law By Chloe Fitzgerald The idea that there might be a fundamental, overarching Law that applies to all people, in all places, and at all times is one of philosophy's most persistent and profound inquiries. It's a concept...
The Enduring Question: Is History Progressing? Unpacking The Principle of Progress From the ancient world's cycles of rise and fall to the Enlightenment's grand narratives of human perfectibility, the question of whether history possesses an inherent direction – a Principle of Progress – has captivated philosophers for millennia....
Unraveling the Threads of Existence: The Universal Law of Cause and Effect The fabric of reality, from the grand cosmic ballet to the minutiae of daily life, is woven with an undeniable thread: the Universal Law of Cause and Effect. This fundamental principle posits that every event, every phenomenon, every...