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 Unshakable Foundation: Understanding the Principle of Non-Contradiction The Principle of Non-Contradiction stands as one of the most fundamental tenets of Logic and Reasoning, a bedrock upon which coherent thought, Truth, and meaningful discourse are built. Simply put, it asserts that something cannot both be and not be at the...
The Inexorable Dance of Oppositional Forces in Nature From the grand cosmic ballet to the microscopic intricacies of cellular life, opposition is not merely a feature of existence but a fundamental principle that drives all change in nature. This article explores how seemingly contradictory forces are, in fact, the very...
The Enduring Quest: Unpacking the Nature of Universal Law Summary: The concept of universal law stands as a bedrock of philosophical inquiry, representing the enduring human quest to understand the fundamental, unchanging principles that govern existence itself. This article delves into the nature of these laws, exploring how thinkers from...
The Unseen Threads: Unraveling the Logic of Cause and Effect A Direct Inquiry into Fundamental Connections At the heart of our understanding of the world lies the profound Logic of Cause and Effect. This article delves into this foundational Relation, exploring how we perceive, reason about, and ultimately rely upon...
The Universal Principle of Reason: A Foundation for All Knowledge The Universal Principle of Reason posits that there exists an inherent, overarching coherence and intelligibility to reality, accessible and understandable through the faculty of reason. This principle suggests that certain fundamental truths and logical structures are not merely human constructs...
The Theological Debate on God's Cause: Unraveling the Ultimate Principle The question of God's cause stands as one of the most profound and enduring intellectual challenges within theology and metaphysics. It delves into the very nature of existence, causality, and the ultimate ground of all being....
The Enduring Question: A Universal Principle of Immortality? The concept of Immortality has captivated human thought across millennia, transcending cultures and philosophical traditions. This article delves into the profound question of whether there exists a Universal Principle underpinning this pervasive aspiration – a fundamental truth or structure that suggests the continuation...
The Philosophical Concept of Being: An Inquiry into Existence Itself The concept of Being stands as the bedrock of philosophical inquiry, a fundamental principle that underpins all other questions about reality, knowledge, and value. In its simplest form, Being refers to existence itself – to what is, as opposed to what...
The Enduring Quest for a Universal Concept of Law The idea of "law" often conjures images of statutes, courtrooms, and legislative bodies. Yet, beneath these tangible manifestations lies a profound philosophical inquiry: Is there a universal concept of law, a foundational principle that transcends cultural boundaries and historical...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Exploring the Principle of Progress in History Summary: Unpacking Humanity's Trajectory The concept of a "Principle of Progress" in History posits a fundamental, often directional, Change in human affairs, tending towards improvement, advancement, or greater rationality over time. Far from a simple observation,...
The Unyielding Hand of Necessity: Exploring the Universal Law of Cause and Effect The cosmos, in its intricate dance of phenomena, reveals no greater or more fundamental principle than the Universal Law of Cause and Effect. This article posits that every event, every change, every state of being, is inextricably...
The Elusive Ascent: Rethinking the Principle of Progress in Evolution The notion of progress is deeply embedded in the human psyche, often viewed as an inherent drive towards betterment, refinement, or a more ideal state. When we turn our gaze to the grand tapestry of Evolution, the temptation to discern...
The Universal Principle of Life: An Inquiry into Existence's Core From the whisper of a single cell dividing to the vast expanse of evolving ecosystems, Life presents itself as an awe-inspiring tapestry of forms and functions. But beneath this bewildering diversity, can we discern a single, overarching Principle...
The Unyielding Principle: Deconstructing the Law of Cause and Effect Summary The Law of Cause and Effect is a foundational principle in philosophy, asserting that every event or state of being (the effect) is the inevitable consequence of a preceding event or condition (the cause). This fundamental law underpins our...
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 Idea of God as a First Principle: A Metaphysical Cornerstone In the grand tapestry of Western thought, the Idea of God has often transcended mere theological doctrine to become a fundamental Principle in Metaphysics. This article explores how, across various philosophical traditions rooted in the Great Books of the...
The Unseen Hand: Exploring the Principle of Cause and Effect in Mechanics The Principle of Cause and Effect stands as an indispensable cornerstone, not only in our philosophical understanding of the world but critically, within the structured domain of mechanics and physics. It posits that every event, or "effect,...
Echoes of Eternity: Unraveling the Universal Laws of Nature Summary: From the silent rotation of galaxies to the subtle stirrings of human conscience, the universe appears to operate not by chance, but by an intricate design. This article delves into the profound philosophical concept of the Universal Laws of Nature...
