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 Unseen Current: Understanding the Universal Principle of Desire Summary: At the core of human and, arguably, all animate existence lies a fundamental drive: desire. This article explores the concept of a Universal Principle of Desire, arguing that while our specific wants are particular, the underlying impulse to strive, to...
The Indispensable Foundation: Why Truth is Necessary for Knowledge Knowledge, in its purest form, stands as one of humanity's most cherished pursuits. Yet, what exactly constitutes knowledge? And what is the role of truth within its very fabric? For Henry Montgomery, the answer is unequivocal: truth is not...
The Unyielding Foundation: Exploring the Principle of Non-Contradiction The Principle of Non-Contradiction (PNC) stands as one of the most fundamental tenets of Logic and Reasoning, a bedrock upon which all coherent thought is built. Simply put, it asserts that something cannot both be and not be at the same time...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Deconstructing the Principle of Progress in History Summary: The notion of a "Principle of Progress" in history posits that human civilization inherently moves towards improvement, enlightenment, or greater complexity. This article explores the philosophical underpinnings of this idea, examining its evolution from ancient cyclical views...
The Immutable Principle: Exploring the Universal Law of Cause and Effect The Universal Law of Cause and Effect stands as one of the most fundamental principles governing our understanding of reality, asserting that every event, or effect, is the inevitable outcome of a preceding event, or cause. This bedrock law,...
The Elusive Ascent: Deconstructing the Principle of Progress in Evolution Summary: The notion of a "Principle of Progress" within evolution is a deeply ingrained philosophical concept, often conflated with the scientific understanding of biological Change. While evolution undeniably involves continuous Change and adaptation, the idea that this process...
The Enduring Quest: Unpacking the Universal Principle of Immortality The concept of immortality, often relegated to the realms of myth or religious dogma, holds a profound and persistent place in philosophical inquiry. Far from a mere wish, the universal principle of immortality invites us to explore the fundamental nature of...
The Unshakeable Foundation: Why Contradictions Break Our World At the heart of all coherent thought, meaningful communication, and the very possibility of understanding reality lies a fundamental principle so obvious, yet so profound, that its absence would plunge us into utter chaos. This is the Principle of Non-Contradiction (PNC). Simply...
The Enduring Quest for a Universal Concept of Law The idea of a "universal law" might sound like something from a grand philosophical treatise, and indeed, it is a cornerstone of Western thought, debated for millennia. At its heart, the Concept of a Universal Law grapples with whether...
The Inexorable Dance: Unpacking the Universal Law of Cause and Effect The Universal Law of Cause and Effect stands as one of the most fundamental and enduring principles in human thought, asserting that every effect has a preceding cause, and every cause will inevitably lead to an effect. This law...
The Ascent Questioned: Unpacking the Principle of Progress in Evolution Summary: The notion of a "Principle of Progress" in evolution is a captivating philosophical concept that posits an inherent, directional advancement within the evolutionary process. While change is an undeniable and continuous driver of biological forms, the idea...
The Universal Principle of Life: An Enduring Inquiry The quest to understand existence often leads us to ponder a fundamental, overarching truth — a universal principle that underpins all phenomena, especially life itself. This article delves into the philosophical exploration of such a principle, examining how it manifests across the Universal...