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 Problem of Time and Consciousness: An Intimate Dance with Reality The relationship between time and consciousness presents one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing challenges. At its core, the problem is this: Is time an objective feature of the universe, independent of our minds, or is it...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of both profound goodness and inexplicable evil is arguably the most persistent and unsettling problem humanity faces. From the dawn of recorded thought, philosophers, theologians, and ordinary individuals have grappled with how to reconcile acts...
Navigating the Labyrinth of Existence: The Problem of Time and Space The very fabric of our reality, the stage upon which all existence unfolds, is often taken for granted. Yet, for millennia, philosophers have grappled with a profound and enduring Problem: what exactly are Time and Space? Are they objective,...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Matter and Mechanics By Chloe Fitzgerald Summary: The problem of matter and mechanics lies at the heart of philosophy and physics, representing humanity's persistent struggle to reconcile our experiential world with a fundamental, underlying reality. From ancient teleological views of substance...
The Enduring Paradox: Unpacking the Problem of Slavery and Liberty Summary: A Fundamental Conflict The relationship between Slavery and Liberty presents one of philosophy's most profound and enduring problems. From the ancient world to contemporary discussions, thinkers have grappled with how societies can simultaneously uphold ideals of freedom...
The Unbounded Quandary: Grappling with Infinity in Space Summary: The problem of infinity in space is one of philosophy's most enduring and mind-bending challenges. It forces us to confront fundamental questions about the nature of reality, existence, and our capacity to conceive of the truly limitless. From ancient...
The Unfolding Enigma: The Problem of Time and Infinity The human mind, in its relentless quest for understanding, frequently encounters conceptual chasms that defy easy resolution. Among the most profound and persistent of these are the intertwined Problems of Time and Infinity. At their core, these are deeply Metaphysical inquiries,...
The Enduring Riddle: Grappling with the Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of evil in a world often posited as created or governed by a benevolent power presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent dilemmas. This "Problem of Evil" is not merely...
The Problem of Art and Imagination: Navigating the Mind's Creative Labyrinth The relationship between art and imagination presents a profound philosophical problem, challenging our understanding of creativity, perception, and the very nature of the human mind. This supporting article delves into how philosophers, from ancient Greece to the...
The Enduring Riddle: Navigating the Problem of Change and Opposition The world around us is a vibrant tapestry of flux – seasons turn, thoughts evolve, and even the mountains erode over millennia. Yet, beneath this undeniable dynamism lies one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges: the Problem of...
Unraveling the Fabric: The Profound Problem of Time in Physics A Glimpse into Time's Enigma We live in time, by time, and measure our lives in its relentless march. Yet, despite its omnipresence, Time remains one of the most perplexing and stubbornly elusive concepts in modern Physics. This...
The Problem of Chance in Evolution: A Philosophical Inquiry Summary: The "problem of chance in evolution" is a profound philosophical challenge that arises from the scientific understanding of life's development. It questions how the seemingly undirected, random processes of genetic mutation and drift, when combined with...
Navigating the Unfathomable: The Problem of Space and Infinity The human mind, in its quest to comprehend the universe, continually grapples with concepts that stretch the limits of intuition. Among the most profound and enduring of these are space and infinity. This article delves into the philosophical problem of understanding...
The Entanglement of Existence: Unpacking the Problem of Fate and Necessity The human experience is profoundly shaped by a persistent, often unsettling question: Are we truly free, or are our lives merely playing out a script written by forces beyond our control? This is the essence of The Problem of...
The Problem of Time and Eternity: A Journey Through Metaphysical Depths Summary: The concepts of Time and Eternity stand as two of the most profound and perplexing subjects in philosophy, challenging our very understanding of existence. From ancient inquiries into the nature of change and permanence to modern physics'...
The Enduring Problem of Space in Astronomy: A Philosophical Journey The nature of space, particularly its role and implications within astronomy, presents one of philosophy's most profound and enduring problems. Far from being a mere backdrop for celestial mechanics, space itself has been a subject of intense debate,...
The Problem of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is perpetually entangled in a profound paradox: our inherent capacity for reasoned choice, or will, frequently leads us to actions we ourselves deem sinful or evil. This isn't merely a theological conundrum; it is a foundational...
The Enduring Riddle: Grappling with the Problem of Time and Space The Problem of Time and Space is one of philosophy’s most persistent and fundamental challenges, probing the very fabric of our reality and perception. At its core, it asks profound questions: Are time and space real entities that...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Matter and Mechanics Have you ever stopped to truly ponder what "stuff" is? Not just the table in front of you, but the fundamental substance of reality? And then, how does that stuff move? How does it interact? This isn'...
The Enduring Paradox: Slavery, Liberty, and the Human Condition Summary: The problem of slavery stands as one of humanity's most profound philosophical contradictions, a direct assault on the very notion of liberty that defines the essence of Man. This article explores the historical and philosophical underpinnings of this...
The Problem of Infinity in Mathematics: An Unending Quest for Understanding The concept of infinity has, for millennia, presented one of the most profound and persistent problems in both mathematics and philosophy. Far from being a mere abstract curiosity, it challenges our fundamental understanding of quantity, existence, and the very...
The Problem of Art and Imagination: Navigating the Labyrinth of Creation and Perception Summary: The problem of art and imagination lies at the heart of philosophy, questioning the very nature of artistic creation, its relationship to reality, and its impact on the human mind. From ancient suspicions of art'...