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.
Navigating the Labyrinth of Existence: The Problem of Fate and Chance The Enduring Conundrum of Human Agency The human experience is a constant negotiation between what we perceive as within our control and what lies beyond it. At the heart of this negotiation lies The Problem of Fate and Chance,...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The problem of good and evil in the world is arguably one of humanity's most ancient and persistent intellectual and existential challenges. It probes the very fabric of our reality, our moral compass, and our...
The Problem of Infinity in Mathematics: A Philosophical Journey The concept of infinity, a notion that both fascinates and frustrates, stands as one of the most profound and persistent problems in both mathematics and philosophy. Far from being a mere abstract construct, infinity challenges our very understanding of quantity, existence,...
The Problem of Art and Imagination: A Journey Through the Mind's Canvas Art, at its core, presents a profound philosophical problem. It is a human endeavor deeply intertwined with our capacity for memory and imagination, yet its nature, purpose, and impact on the mind remain subjects of intense...
The Unsettling Dance: Navigating the Problem of Change and Opposition The world, as we experience it, is a tapestry woven from paradoxes. We see things come into being, transform, and pass away. We observe hot becoming cold, light turning to dark, life yielding to death. This constant flux, coupled with...
The Enduring Conflict: Navigating the Problem of Sin and Desire The human condition is a tapestry woven with threads of aspiration and affliction, noble pursuits and base impulses. At its very heart lies a profound and persistent philosophical conundrum: the Problem of Sin and Desire. This isn't merely...
Navigating the Unseen Threads: The Enduring Problem of Fate and Chance The human experience is a constant dance between what seems inevitable and what feels utterly random. From the grand sweep of history to the minutiae of daily life, we grapple with forces that appear to guide our steps and...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking The Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of good and evil is perhaps the most profound and persistent problem that humanity has grappled with throughout history. From ancient myths to modern ethics, the tension between these opposing forces shapes our understanding of...
The Enduring Problem of Infinity in Mathematics The concept of infinity stands as one of the most profound and perplexing ideas in both mathematics and philosophy. Far from being a mere abstract concept, it presents a fundamental problem that has challenged the greatest minds throughout history, forcing us to confront...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Fate and Chance Summary: The Problem of Fate and Chance grapples with one of philosophy's most persistent tensions: how to reconcile the apparent predetermined nature of events (fate) with the seemingly random occurrences of life (chance), all while preserving the notion...
The Enduring Conundrum: Grappling with the Problem of Good and Evil in Our World From the earliest myths to the most intricate philosophical treatises, humanity has grappled with a profound and unsettling question: Why does suffering, injustice, and malevolence persist in a world where we yearn for, and often strive...
The Enduring Problem of Infinity in Mathematics The concept of infinity, a term denoting an unbounded or endless quantity, has long captivated and confounded the human mind. Far from being a mere abstract idea, it presents a profound problem at the very heart of mathematics and philosophy, challenging our most...
The Unfolding Riddle: Navigating the Problem of Time and Infinity The very fabric of our existence, the canvas upon which all experience is painted, is woven from the threads of Time and Infinity. Yet, these fundamental concepts, so intuitively grasped in daily life, unravel into profound philosophical quandaries upon closer...
The Enduring Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of immense suffering, injustice, and moral transgression – what we commonly refer to as evil and sin – presents one of the most profound and enduring philosophical and theological challenges to our understanding of the world. How can we reconcile the...
The Unfolding Riddle of Time and Consciousness The relationship between time and consciousness presents one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing challenges. At its core lies a fundamental Problem: how does the objective, measurable progression of Time – a concept seemingly independent of our existence – reconcile with our deeply...
The Enduring Philosophical Quandary: The Problem of Labor in the State The relationship between labor and the state is not merely an economic or political arrangement; it is a profound philosophical problem that cuts to the heart of human dignity, social justice, and the very purpose of political organization. From...
The Enduring Conflict: Unpacking the Problem of Sin and Desire The human condition is a tapestry woven with threads of longing and transgression. At its core lies "The Problem of Sin and Desire," a perennial riddle that has puzzled philosophers and theologians for millennia. This isn't...
The Unyielding Grasp: Navigating the Problem of Fate and Chance The Problem of Fate and Chance stands as one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing dilemmas, challenging our notions of free will, moral responsibility, and the very fabric of reality. At its core, this isn't merely...
The Unending Enigma: Exploring the Problem of Infinity in Mathematics The concept of infinity, while seemingly simple in its definition as "without end," has tormented philosophers and mathematicians for millennia, presenting a profound problem that challenges our very understanding of quantity, reality, and the limits of human reason....
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Matter and Mechanics From the earliest philosophical inquiries to the cutting edge of modern physics, humanity has grappled with a fundamental question: what is the world made of, and how does it move? This isn't merely a scientific query; it'...