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 Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Time in Physics Time. It's the relentless tick of the clock, the flow of moments, the undeniable progression of our lives. We experience it, measure it, and often lament its passage. Yet, despite its omnipresence in our daily existence and its...
The Enigma of Randomness: Grappling with the Problem of Chance in Evolution The theory of evolution by natural selection stands as a cornerstone of modern science, offering a powerful explanation for the diversity and adaptation of life. Yet, nestled at its heart, particularly in the concept of random mutation, lies...
The Problem of Space and Infinity: A Journey Through the Unknowable The very fabric of our existence, the stage upon which all life unfolds, is space. And within its mysterious depths, or perhaps beyond its edges, lies the mind-bending concept of infinity. For millennia, philosophers, mathematicians, and scientists alike have...
The Enduring Conundrum: Unraveling The Problem of Fate and Necessity From the ancient Greek tragedians to the quantum physicists of today, humanity has grappled with one of philosophy's most persistent and unsettling questions: Is our future predetermined, or are we truly free agents shaping our own destiny? This...
The Enduring Enigma: Unraveling The Problem of Being and Knowledge A Fundamental Inquiry into Existence and Understanding If you've ever paused to wonder not just what something is, but that it is, and then how we can possibly know anything about it, you've stumbled headfirst into...
The Problem of Time and Eternity: A Philosophical Conundrum A Fleeting Glance at the Problem The human experience is inextricably bound by Time. We live in a world of succession, change, and duration, where moments pass, futures become presents, and presents recede into the past. Yet, philosophy, theology, and Metaphysics...
The Problem of Space in Astronomy: A Philosophical Voyage The concept of space, often taken for granted as the mere emptiness between things, holds one of the most profound and enduring philosophical problems in the history of human thought, particularly when viewed through the lens of astronomy. From ancient cosmologies...
The Enduring Riddle: Unpacking the Philosophical Problem of Life and Death The philosophical Problem of Life and Death is not merely a biological or theological inquiry; it is a profound and perennial challenge that strikes at the very core of human existence. It compels us to grapple with fundamental questions...
The Enduring Problem of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition, from the earliest myths to the most intricate philosophical treatises, has grappled with an inescapable dilemma: the Problem of Sin and Will. Why do we, as seemingly rational beings, so often choose to act against our better...
Unraveling the Fabric: The Enduring Problem of Time and Space The universe, in all its perplexing grandeur, presents us with no greater enigma than the fundamental nature of Time and Space. These aren't merely backdrops against which existence unfolds; they are the very fabric of reality, yet their...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Matter and Mechanics Summary: The "Problem of Matter and Mechanics" stands as one of philosophy's most persistent and fascinating challenges, probing the very nature of existence itself. This article delves into how our understanding of matter has evolved from...
The Enduring Problem of Slavery and Liberty: A Philosophical Inquiry The relationship between slavery and liberty stands as one of humanity's most profound and persistent philosophical problems. From the earliest organized societies to the present day, the question of who is free and who is bound has challenged...
The Infinite Canvas: Grappling with the Problem of Infinity in Space The sheer vastness of the cosmos has always captivated the human imagination, inspiring both awe and profound philosophical questions. Among these, The Problem of Infinity in Space stands as a particularly thorny intellectual challenge. At its core, this problem...
The Problem of Time and Infinity: A Metaphysical Conundrum The Problem of Time and Infinity stands as one of the most profound and persistent challenges in Metaphysics, probing the very fabric of existence and our understanding of reality. At its core, it asks us to grapple with concepts that defy...
The Enduring Enigma: Confronting the Problem of Evil (Sin) in Our World The Problem of Evil, often intertwined with the concept of Sin, stands as one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges. At its core, it questions how a benevolent, omnipotent, and omniscient God can coexist with...
The Elusive Dance: Time, Consciousness, and the Human Mind Summary: The problem of time stands as one of philosophy’s most enduring riddles, its nature seeming to shift depending on whether we view it objectively or through the lens of our subjective experience. This article delves into how our mind...
The Problem of Labor in the State: A Philosophical Inquiry into Wealth, Power, and Human Endeavor The relationship between human labor and the organized entity we call the State has always been fraught with philosophical complexities, presenting a perennial problem that challenges our understanding of justice, freedom, and the distribution...
The Enduring Quandary: Navigating the Problem of Sin and Desire The human condition is perpetually caught in the intricate dance between our deepest desires and the moral boundaries we erect, leading to what philosophers have long grappled with as "The Problem of Sin and Desire." This fundamental tension...
The Enduring Riddle: Grappling with the Problem of Fate and Chance The Problem of Fate and Chance stands as one of philosophy's most persistent and perplexing questions, touching the very core of human agency, cosmic order, and the nature of reality itself. At its heart, this Problem asks...
The Enduring Enigma: Confronting the Problem of Good and Evil in Our World Summary: The problem of good and evil is one of humanity's most persistent and perplexing philosophical challenges. It asks why suffering and malevolence exist if there is also inherent goodness, or how we define and...
The Problem of Infinity in Mathematics: Grappling with the Endless Summary: The concept of infinity stands as one of the most profound and persistent problems in both mathematics and philosophy. Far from being a mere abstract idea, infinity challenges our fundamental understanding of quantity, measurement, and the very fabric of...
The Enduring Riddle: Unpacking the Problem of Matter and Mechanics The quest to understand the universe has long been entangled with the fundamental problem of matter and mechanics. From ancient philosophers pondering the stuff of existence to modern physics delving into subatomic particles, this core inquiry asks: what is matter,...
The Enduring Problem: Unpacking Slavery and Liberty in Human Thought Summary: The relationship between slavery and liberty presents one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing problems. From ancient justifications to modern struggles for emancipation, humanity has grappled with the inherent contradiction of a species capable of reason and...
The Unfathomable Expanse: Grappling with the Problem of Infinity in Space The notion of an infinite universe is one of philosophy's most persistent and mind-bending problems. For millennia, thinkers have wrestled with the implications of a cosmos without boundaries, a space that stretches on forever. This article delves...
The Enduring Problem: Grappling with Time and Infinity in Metaphysics The concepts of time and infinity stand as two of the most profound and perplexing challenges within philosophy, particularly in the realm of metaphysics. This article delves into the intricate problem of understanding these fundamental aspects of reality, exploring why...
The Enduring Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World: A Philosophical Inquiry The existence of suffering, injustice, and moral transgression in a world purportedly created by an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient deity presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges: The Problem of Evil. This dilemma, which...
The Unsettling Entanglement: The Problem of Time and Consciousness A Direct Glimpse into the Abyss At the heart of our most fundamental inquiries lies a profound problem: the intricate, often bewildering relationship between Time and Consciousness. We experience time as a relentless flow, a passage from past to future through...
The Enduring Problem of Labor in the State The relationship between labor, its producers, and the governing state has been a persistent philosophical problem since the dawn of organized society. From ancient city-states to modern industrial nations, the question of how human effort contributes to, shapes, and is managed by...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating Fate and Chance in a Contingent World The Problem of Fate and Chance stands as one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing conundrums, a conceptual knot that has challenged thinkers from ancient Greece to the present day. At its heart lies the tension between...
The Enduring Enigma: Confronting the Problem of Good and Evil in Our World The question of good and evil is perhaps the most ancient and persistent problem humanity faces. Why does suffering exist? Why do individuals and societies commit acts of profound cruelty, even as others strive for benevolence and...
The Unending Riddle: Navigating the Problem of Infinity in Mathematics The concept of infinity stands as one of the most profound and perplexing ideas ever conceived by the human mind. Far from being a mere placeholder for "very large," infinity in mathematics presents a fundamental problem, challenging our...
The Problem of Art and Imagination: Navigating Truth and Illusion In the grand tapestry of human thought, few threads are as captivating and complex as the relationship between art and imagination. From the earliest cave paintings to the latest digital installations, art has always been a fundamental expression of the...
The Enduring Riddle: Navigating the Problem of Change and Opposition The very fabric of our existence seems defined by change. From the shifting seasons to the evolution of species, nothing appears truly static. Yet, how can something change and still be itself? How do we reconcile the constant flux we...
Unraveling the Fabric: The Enduring Problem of Time in Physics Summary: We all experience time, measure it, and schedule our lives by it, yet its true nature remains one of the most profound and persistent philosophical and scientific challenges. The problem of time in physics isn't merely about...