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 Threads: Unpacking the Law of Cause and Effect The Law of Cause and Effect stands as a bedrock principle of human understanding, a fundamental logic that shapes our perception of reality. At its core, it asserts that every event or state of affairs (the effect) is the inevitable...
The Unyielding Bedrock: Why Truth is Indispensable for Knowledge Summary: The assertion that truth is merely desirable for knowledge is a profound misconception. Truth is not an optional embellishment but an absolute necessity for knowledge to exist. What we often label as "knowledge" without truth is, in fact,...
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 Unseen Threads: Unraveling the Principle of Cause and Effect in Mechanics Summary: The Principle of Cause and Effect is a cornerstone of our understanding of the universe, particularly within the realm of mechanics. It posits that every event, or effect, is the inevitable outcome of a preceding event, or...
The Enduring Quest for Universal Laws of Nature The cosmos, in its grand and intricate dance, often appears to us as a realm of order, not chaos. From the predictable orbit of planets to the subtle growth of a seed, there seems to be an underlying fabric governing existence. This...
The Universal Principle of Immortality: A Journey Beyond the Ephemeral The human mind, in its ceaseless quest for meaning, has long grappled with the profound question of what lies beyond our mortal coil. This article explores the philosophical pursuit of a universal principle of immortality – an underlying truth or characteristic...
The Irreducible Tension: Unpacking the Principle of Opposition in Dialectic The Principle of Opposition lies at the very heart of dialectic, serving as the dynamic force that propels philosophical inquiry and understanding forward. It posits that genuine progress in thought often emerges from the encounter and engagement with opposing ideas,...
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 Unyielding Principle: Justice in War and Peace The human story is inextricably woven with threads of conflict and coexistence. From the earliest skirmishes for survival to the complex geopolitical landscapes of today, the question of justice has loomed large, a persistent and often perplexing beacon. This article delves into...
The Uncaused Origin: Unpacking the Concept of God as First Cause The human mind, in its relentless pursuit of understanding, inevitably confronts the fundamental question of existence: Why is there something rather than nothing? For millennia, philosophers and theologians alike have grappled with this profound inquiry, often converging on the...
The Unseen Current: Exploring the Universal Principle of Desire At the heart of human experience, beneath the myriad choices and aspirations that define our individual lives, lies a profound and often overlooked force: the universal principle of desire. This isn't merely about wanting a new car or a...
The Universal Principle of Life: An Enduring Inquiry What animates existence, from the smallest microbe to the most complex human thought? This article delves into the enduring philosophical question of a Universal Principle of Life, exploring its fundamental essence, its myriad manifestations in the Particular, and its intrinsic connection to...
The Unseen Threads: Unraveling the Law of Cause and Effect The Law of Cause and Effect is arguably the most fundamental principle guiding our understanding of reality. It posits that every event, or "effect," is the inevitable result of one or more prior events, or "causes."...
The Indispensable Core: Why Knowledge Demands Truth Knowledge, in its most profound sense, is not merely a collection of facts or a set of strong convictions. It is a state of justified understanding, inherently reliant upon the bedrock of truth. Without truth, what we claim as knowledge devolves into mere...
The Unmoved Mover: Exploring the Idea of God as a First Principle A Foundation of Thought: God as the Ultimate Starting Point From the earliest stirrings of philosophical inquiry, humanity has sought to understand the fundamental nature of reality, to uncover the ultimate Principle from which all else derives. This...
The Unseen Hand: Unraveling the Principle of Cause and Effect in Mechanics The Principle of Cause and Effect stands as a cornerstone not only of scientific inquiry but also of philosophical thought, profoundly shaping our understanding of the universe, especially within the realm of Mechanics and Physics. At its core,...
