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 Problem of Chance in Evolution The theory of evolution by natural selection stands as one of the cornerstones of modern science, offering a powerful framework for understanding the diversity and adaptation of life. Yet, embedded within its explanatory power lies a profound philosophical problem: the role of chance....
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Space and Infinity Hey there, fellow travelers of thought! Chloe Fitzgerald here, ready to tackle one of philosophy's most captivating and persistent puzzles: the Problem of Space and Infinity. From the ancient Greeks pondering the nature of the cosmos to modern...
The Enduring Conundrum: Unpacking the Problem of Fate and Necessity The human experience is profoundly shaped by our understanding of control. Do we truly steer the ship of our lives, or are we merely passengers on a predetermined voyage? This ancient and persistent query lies at the heart of The...
Navigating the Labyrinth: The Enduring Problem of Being and Knowledge The history of philosophy is, in many ways, an ongoing wrestling match with two colossal concepts: Being and Knowledge. At its heart lies a profound problem: how do we reconcile the independent reality of "what is" with our...
Beyond the Clock: Unraveling the Problem of Time and Eternity The nature of Time and Eternity presents one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing challenges. Far from being simple concepts, their true meaning delves into the very fabric of reality, raising profound Metaphysical questions about existence, change, and...
The Enduring Problem of Space in Astronomy: A Philosophical Odyssey Summary: The problem of space in astronomy is not merely a scientific quandary but a profound philosophical dilemma that has shaped humanity's understanding of the cosmos and our place within it. From ancient Greek notions of a finite,...
The Philosophical Problem of Life and Death: An Enduring Inquiry The profound mysteries of life and death stand as humanity's most ancient and persistent philosophical problems. Far beyond biological definitions, philosophy delves into the essence of what it means to live, the nature of consciousness, the concept of...
The Problem of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is perpetually vexed by the tension between our aspirations for goodness and our undeniable propensity to err. At the heart of this enduring struggle lies the problem of sin and will, a philosophical conundrum that has captivated thinkers...
Unraveling the Infinite: The Enduring Problem of Time and Space Summary: The concepts of time and space, seemingly intuitive and ever-present, pose some of philosophy's most profound and persistent problems. Are they fundamental realities, independent containers for existence, or merely constructs of our minds, ways we organize experience?...
The Tangled Threads of Existence: Unraveling the Problem of Matter and Mechanics The quest to understand reality often leads us down fascinating, yet perplexing, paths. One of the most enduring philosophical challenges, deeply intertwined with the rise of modern science, is The Problem of Matter and Mechanics. At its heart,...
The Enduring Problem of Slavery and Liberty: A Philosophical Inquiry The perennial problem of slavery versus liberty stands as one of humanity's most profound and persistent philosophical challenges. From ancient city-states to modern nation-states, the tension between the subjugation of one man by another and the innate human...
The Infinite Abyss: Grappling with the Problem of Space's Boundless Quantity The very notion of infinity, especially when applied to something as fundamental as space, sends shivers down the spine of human understanding. It's not just a mathematical curiosity; it's a profound problem that...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering, injustice, and moral depravity in a world often understood as the creation of a supremely good, all-powerful, and all-knowing God presents one of philosophy's most persistent and vexing challenges: The Problem of Evil...
The Problem of Time and Consciousness: A Dance of the Mind Summary: The problem of time and consciousness lies at the heart of our understanding of reality and self. It grapples with the profound disconnect between the objective, measurable flow of time and our deeply subjective, qualitative experience of it....
The Enduring Dilemma: Unpacking the Problem of Labor in the State The relationship between human labor and the organizing principles of the state represents one of philosophy's most enduring and complex problems. From ancient city-states to modern global economies, thinkers have grappled with how work shapes individuals, distributes...
The Problem of Sin and Desire The human condition is perpetually entangled in the complex interplay of sin and desire. At its core, this is a philosophical problem that probes the very essence of human agency, morality, and our pursuit of the good amidst the temptations of evil. This article...
Wrestling with the Unseen Hand: The Problem of Fate and Chance The human experience is a constant negotiation between what we control and what simply happens. This fundamental tension gives rise to one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing questions: The Problem of Fate and Chance. At its...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in Our World The problem of Good and Evil is arguably humanity's most persistent and profound philosophical and existential challenge. It probes the very nature of our world, our actions, and our understanding of justice, suffering, and moral...
The Unending Riddle: Navigating the Problem of Infinity in Mathematics The concept of infinity has long been a captivating and often perplexing subject, not just for philosophers pondering the cosmos, but for mathematicians grappling with the very fabric of quantity. Far from being a simple notion of "very big,...
The Enduring Problem of Art and Imagination The relationship between art and imagination has long posed a profound philosophical problem, challenging our understanding of reality, truth, and the very workings of the mind. This article delves into how Western thought, from ancient Greece to more modern perspectives, has grappled with...
The Shifting Sands of Being: Navigating the Problem of Change and Opposition The world around us is in constant flux. From the blossoming of a flower to the erosion of mountains, change is an undeniable aspect of our experience. Yet, how can something change and still remain itself? How do...
The Elusive Nature of Time: A Persistent Problem in Physics Time. It's the silent, relentless force that governs our lives, the fundamental framework within which all events unfold. We measure it, schedule by it, and often feel its scarcity. Yet, for all its apparent familiarity, time remains one...
The Problem of Chance in Evolution: A Philosophical Inquiry The role of chance in evolution presents one of the most enduring and fascinating problems for both science and philosophy. While scientific models readily incorporate random genetic mutations and environmental stochasticity, the philosophical implications of a process driven, in part, by...
Chloe Fitzgerald on the Infinite Canvas: Unpacking the Problem of Space and Infinity The very fabric of our existence, space, seems at once utterly familiar and profoundly mysterious. From the confines of our rooms to the boundless cosmos, we navigate it daily. Yet, when we begin to ask fundamental questions...
The Enduring Problem of Fate and Necessity: A Philosophical Labyrinth Summary: Unraveling the Chains of Destiny The problem of fate and necessity is one of philosophy's oldest and most persistent dilemmas. It asks a fundamental question: Are our lives, choices, and destinies predetermined by an unalterable cosmic plan,...
The Problem of Being and Knowledge: A Core Philosophical Inquiry The perennial problem of Being and Knowledge stands as a foundational pillar in the grand edifice of philosophy. At its heart lies the intricate dance between what is (ontology) and how we come to know what is (epistemology). This article...
The Enduring Riddle: Confronting the Problem of Time and Eternity The very fabric of our existence is woven with the threads of Time and Eternity, yet their relationship remains one of philosophy's most profound and persistent enigmas. At its heart, The Problem of Time and Eternity grapples with...
The Infinite Riddle: Navigating the Philosophical Problem of Space in Astronomy The concept of space, often taken for granted as the vast emptiness between celestial bodies, presents one of the most profound and enduring philosophical problems in the realm of astronomy. Far from a mere backdrop, the nature of space...
The Enduring Riddle: Confronting the Philosophical Problem of Life and Death The questions surrounding life and death are not merely biological facts or religious doctrines; they represent the fundamental philosophical problem that has haunted humanity since the dawn of consciousness. From ancient inquiries into the nature of the soul to...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Sin and Will The human experience is perpetually shadowed by a profound inquiry into our moral failings and the agency behind them. At the heart of this philosophical quest lies The Problem of Sin and Will – a complex interplay between our capacity for deliberate...
The Enduring Riddle: Unpacking the Problem of Time and Space Summary: The concepts of time and space, seemingly intuitive and fundamental to our existence, have paradoxically presented some of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges. From ancient Greek inquiries into infinity and motion to modern debates on their...
The Unyielding Knot: Navigating the Problem of Matter and Mechanics Summary: The Problem of Matter and Mechanics stands as a foundational challenge in philosophy, probing the very nature of existence. It asks how the seemingly inert stuff of the universe—matter—interacts and behaves according to predictable laws—mechanics—and...
The Enduring Paradox: Unpacking the Problem of Slavery and Liberty The history of humanity is, in many ways, a testament to the perpetual tension between the desire for liberty and the pervasive reality of slavery. This isn't merely a historical curiosity; it is a profound philosophical problem that...
The Problem of Infinity in Space: A Philosophical Journey Through the Great Books Summary: Grappling with the Boundless The concept of an infinite universe, or even just infinite space, presents one of philosophy's most profound and enduring problems. From the ancient Greeks to modern cosmologists, humanity has wrestled...