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 Conundrum: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The Problem of Evil, often framed as the paradox of a benevolent, omnipotent God coexisting with suffering and moral transgression, stands as one of philosophy's most enduring challenges. This article delves into the historical formulations of this...
The Enigma of Time and the Conscious Mind The relationship between time and consciousness presents one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing problems. How does our subjective experience of time – its relentless flow, the distinct passage from future to present to past – align with, or diverge from, the...
The Problem of Labor in the State: A Philosophical Inquiry The relationship between labor, the state, and the distribution of wealth constitutes one of philosophy's most enduring and complex problems. From ancient city-states to modern global economies, thinkers have grappled with how human effort creates value, how that...
The Problem of Sin and Desire: A Philosophical Inquiry Summary: The problem of sin and desire lies at the heart of human experience, representing a perennial philosophical challenge concerning our choices, motivations, and the struggle between our aspirations for the good and our inclinations towards what is often deemed evil....
The Problem of Fate and Chance: Navigating the Currents of What Is and What Could Be The human experience is a perpetual dance between what seems predetermined and what feels utterly random. From the ancient oracles to modern quantum physics, humanity has grappled with The Problem of Fate and Chance:...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating The Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of good and evil is arguably one of the most persistent and perplexing problems facing humanity. From the dawn of recorded thought, philosophers, theologians, and ordinary individuals alike have grappled with the profound paradox of...
The Unending Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Infinity in Mathematics Infinity. The very word evokes a sense of the boundless, the immeasurable, the utterly incomprehensible. It is a concept that has captivated and confounded philosophers and mathematicians for millennia, presenting a persistent problem that challenges our fundamental understanding of quantity,...
The Problem of Art and Imagination: A Dance of Reality and Illusion Art, at its core, is a profound expression of the human mind, born from the fertile ground of imagination. Yet, throughout history, philosophers have grappled with a persistent problem: what is the true nature and value of art,...
The Enduring Riddle: Grappling with the Problem of Change and Opposition The problem of change and opposition stands as one of philosophy's most ancient and persistent puzzles, challenging our very understanding of the nature of reality. How can something become what it is not, or cease to be...
The Elusive Flow: Unpacking The Problem of Time in Physics Summary: Time feels like the most fundamental aspect of our existence – an undeniable, relentless march from past to future. Yet, for physicists, time presents one of the most profound and persistent problems. Far from being a simple, universal quantity, modern...
The Unsettling Dance: Confronting the Problem of Chance in Evolution The theory of evolution by natural selection stands as a cornerstone of modern science, yet within its elegant framework lies a profound philosophical problem: the role of chance. Far from being a mere scientific detail, the concept of chance in...
Unpacking the Infinite Canvas: The Enduring Problem of Space and Infinity The human mind, in its ceaseless quest to comprehend the cosmos, invariably collides with two of its most profound and perplexing concepts: space and infinity. From the earliest philosophical inquiries found within the Great Books of the Western World...
The Unyielding Grip: Navigating the Problem of Fate and Necessity The human experience is a tapestry woven with choices, aspirations, and the profound sense that we are the authors of our own lives. Yet, beneath this intuitive belief lies one of philosophy's most enduring and unsettling questions: Are...
The Enduring Conundrum: Unpacking the Problem of Being and Knowledge The Problem of Being and Knowledge stands as a foundational bedrock within Philosophy, a twin inquiry that has captivated the greatest minds across millennia. At its core, this philosophical quandary grapples with two intertwined, fundamental questions: What is real? and...
The Problem of Time and Eternity: A Metaphysical Conundrum The nature of Time and Eternity presents one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing challenges, a fundamental Problem that reaches into the very core of our Metaphysics. At its heart lies the tension between our lived experience of a...
A Cosmic Conundrum: The Enduring Problem of Space in Astronomy The nature of space has long been a profound philosophical problem, one that astronomy continually complicates and deepens. Far from being a mere empty stage for celestial mechanics, space is a fundamental aspect of reality whose character profoundly shapes our...
The Enduring Enigma: Confronting the Philosophical Problem of Life and Death The philosophical problem of life and death is perhaps humanity's most profound and persistent inquiry, touching upon the very essence of existence, meaning, and consciousness. From ancient Greek philosophers grappling with the nature of the Soul to...
The Enduring Conundrum of the Human Spirit: Navigating The Problem of Sin and Will The human condition, in its profound depth and perplexing contradictions, has perhaps no greater problem than the intricate relationship between sin and will. From the earliest philosophical inquiries to the most rigorous theological treatises, thinkers have...
Unraveling the Infinite: The Enduring Problem of Time and Space Summary: The Problem of Time and Space stands as one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges, asking fundamental questions about the very fabric of our existence. Are Time and Space independent realities, existing whether or not anything...
Unraveling the Enigma: The Problem of Matter and Mechanics From the earliest stirrings of philosophical inquiry to the cutting edge of quantum physics, humanity has grappled with a fundamental question: What is the nature of reality, and how does it move? This enduring puzzle, often termed the Problem of Matter...
The Enduring Problem: Unraveling Slavery and the Quest for Liberty The very essence of being man seems inextricably linked to the pursuit of liberty, yet history is a stark testament to the pervasive problem of slavery. From ancient city-states to modern globalized societies, the subjugation of one human by another...
The Problem of Infinity in Space: A Philosophical Conundrum The concept of an infinite universe is one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing problems. From the boundless stretches of the cosmos to the infinitely divisible nature of matter, infinity challenges our fundamental understanding of space and quantity. This...
The Unfolding Mystery: Grappling with the Problem of Time and Infinity Friends, fellow travelers on the intellectual journey, let's dive headfirst into one of philosophy's most enduring and mind-bending challenges: The Problem of Time and Infinity. This isn't just an academic exercise; it'...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering and moral depravity in a world purportedly governed or created by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent being presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges: the Problem of Evil. This dilemma, often...
The Elusive Chronometer: Consciousness and the Problem of Time A Brief Glimpse into the Problem The problem of Time and consciousness is one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing puzzles. At its core, it asks: How does the human mind, a subjective realm of experience, perceive, process, and...
The Enduring Problem of Labor in the State The relationship between labor, the individual, and the governing state is one of philosophy's most persistent and complex problems. From ancient city-states to modern industrial nations, thinkers have grappled with how labor shapes society, creates wealth, and defines human dignity,...
The Labyrinth of the Soul: Understanding the Problem of Sin and Desire Summary: The human experience is perpetually intertwined with the internal struggle between our innate desires and the moral frameworks we construct, leading to what philosophers have long grappled with as "the problem of sin and desire."...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Grappling with the Problem of Fate and Chance The human experience is a peculiar blend of the predictable and the utterly unexpected. We plan, we strive, we make choices, yet often find ourselves swept along by currents beyond our control. This inherent tension lies at the heart...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of suffering, injustice, and malevolence alongside the undeniable presence of beauty, compassion, and virtue presents humanity with one of its most profound and persistent philosophical challenges: the problem of good and evil in the world....
The Unfathomable Depths: Exploring the Problem of Infinity in Mathematics Summary: The concept of infinity, while seemingly abstract, presents one of the most profound and persistent problems in both mathematics and philosophy. Far from being a simple large quantity, infinity challenges our fundamental understanding of number, set, and even existence...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Chance in Evolution The concept of chance in evolution is one of the most profound and often unsettling aspects of modern science, posing a significant problem not just for biologists, but for philosophers grappling with meaning, purpose, and the very nature of existence....
Untangling the Fabric: The Enduring Problem of Time and Space Summary: The concepts of time and space, though seemingly intuitive, present some of philosophy's most profound and persistent problems. From ancient Greek musings on their nature to modern debates on their reality, thinkers have grappled with whether time...
The Unending Riddle: Grappling with Infinity in Mathematics Summary: The problem of infinity in mathematics is not merely a conceptual hurdle; it is a profound philosophical challenge that questions our very understanding of quantity, existence, and the limits of human reason. From ancient paradoxes to modern set theory, the idea...
The Enduring Problem of Art and Imagination: A Philosophical Inquiry The relationship between art and imagination presents a profound and persistent philosophical problem: how does art, born from the creative mind and shaped by memory and imagination, relate to reality, truth, and our understanding of the world? This article delves...