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 Paradox: Grappling with the Problem of Slavery and Liberty in the Human Condition The philosophical problem of slavery stands in stark opposition to the ideal of liberty, challenging the very essence of what it means to be man. This article explores how Western thought, from ancient justifications to...
Gazing into the Void: The Enduring Philosophical Problem of Infinity in Space Summary: The concept of infinity in space presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent problems. From ancient Greece to the Enlightenment, thinkers have grappled with whether the universe is bounded or extends without end, and...
The Problem of Time and Infinity: A Metaphysical Conundrum The Problem of Time and Infinity stands as one of the most profound and enduring challenges in Metaphysics. At its core, it grapples with the very fabric of existence: how we experience duration, sequence, and change, and how we conceptualize that...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering and moral transgression in our World presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges: The Problem of Evil. This ancient problem questions the very nature of reality, morality, and divinity, particularly for...
The Unfolding Mystery: Time, Consciousness, and the Enduring Philosophical Problem The world, as we experience it, is undeniably temporal. We live in a sequence of moments, from a past that recedes to a future that approaches, all filtered through the present. Yet, when we dare to peer into the nature...
The Elusive Nature of Time: A Persistent Problem in Physics Time, that seemingly ubiquitous and universally understood dimension of existence, presents one of the most profound and persistent problems in physics. From the ancient philosophers who grappled with its essence to the cutting-edge theoretical physicists of today, the true nature...
The Enduring Problem of Fate and Necessity: A Philosophical Inquiry The human experience is a peculiar blend of choice and constraint. We plan, we strive, we decide – yet often, we encounter forces seemingly beyond our will, leading us to question: are we truly free agents, or are our lives merely...
The Problem of Being and Knowledge: A Perennial Philosophical Duel Summary: At its core, philosophy grapples with two fundamental questions: What is real? and How do we know it? This article explores "The Problem of Being and Knowledge," a central quandary that has captivated thinkers from antiquity to...
The Unfolding Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Time and Eternity The very fabric of our existence seems woven with the threads of time, a constant flow from past to present, hurtling towards an uncertain future. Yet, lurking beneath this familiar current is a profound philosophical problem: What is time, truly?...
The Infinite Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Space in Astronomy The concept of space, often taken for granted as the empty canvas upon which the cosmos unfolds, has, for millennia, presented one of the most profound and persistent philosophical and scientific challenges. This article explores the evolution of the "...
The Enduring Philosophical Problem of Life and Death The questions surrounding life and death stand as perhaps the most fundamental and persistent inquiries within philosophy. Far from being mere biological events, they constitute a profound problem that has captivated thinkers from antiquity to the present day, shaping our understanding of...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Sin and Will The human condition, in its most profound philosophical sense, is often defined by a central, vexing question: Why do we do what we know is wrong? This isn't merely a matter of occasional lapse, but a pervasive problem that...
Unraveling the Fabric: The Enduring Problem of Time and Space From the earliest inquiries into existence, philosophers have grappled with the fundamental enigma of time and space. Are they objective realities, mere mental constructs, or something more profound? This article delves into the historical philosophical 'Problem' of understanding...
Unpacking the Universe: The Enduring Problem of Matter and Mechanics Have you ever stopped to truly consider what the world around you is made of? Not just "wood" or "stone," but what is wood? What is stone, at its most fundamental level? And how does any...
The Problem of Slavery and Liberty: An Enduring Paradox A Fundamental Contradiction The problem of slavery and liberty stands as one of humanity's most enduring and vexing philosophical paradoxes. How can societies that champion the inherent freedom of man simultaneously condone or establish systems that deny that very...
The Enduring Conundrum: Labor's Place in the State The problem of labor in the state is a timeless philosophical inquiry into the fundamental relationship between human effort, its societal value, and the governing apparatus that organizes, regulates, and often benefits from it. This complex "problem" grapples...
The Enduring Problem of Good and Evil in the World The question of why good and evil exist, and how they manifest in our world, is perhaps the most ancient and persistent problem facing humanity. From the earliest myths to the most sophisticated philosophical treatises, thinkers have grappled with understanding...
The Unending Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Infinity in Mathematics The concept of infinity in mathematics is not merely a statement about an immeasurable quantity or an endless sequence; it is a profound philosophical problem that has challenged the greatest minds for millennia. From the paradoxes of ancient Greece to...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Matter and Mechanics The universe, in its grand and intricate dance, presents us with a fundamental philosophical problem: how do we reconcile our understanding of what things are – their very matter – with how they move, interact, and behave – their mechanics? From the earliest...
