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 Labor in the State: A Perennial Philosophical Challenge The "Problem of Labor in the State" is a foundational philosophical inquiry that delves into how human effort, productivity, and economic activity are organized, valued, and distributed within the framework of political society. It is a question...
The Human Predicament: Sin, Desire, and the Quest for Good The intricate relationship between sin and desire forms one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing problems. From the earliest human reflections on morality to the complex ethical systems of today, thinkers have grappled with how our inner appetites...
The Enduring Riddle: Navigating the Problem of Fate and Chance A Perennial Philosophical Conundrum The Problem of Fate and Chance stands as one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing challenges. At its core, it grapples with the fundamental tension between the apparent necessity of events – the idea that...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of both profound good and unspeakable evil in our world presents one of humanity's oldest and most persistent philosophical challenges. From ancient mythologies to modern ethical debates, thinkers have grappled with understanding their...
The Problem of Art and Imagination: A Philosophical Inquiry Summary: The intersection of art and imagination presents a profound and enduring philosophical problem. Far from being a simple act of creation, art forces us to confront fundamental questions about reality, truth, and the very nature of human perception. This article...
Navigating the Flux: The Enduring Problem of Change and Opposition The world, as we experience it, is a whirlwind of transformation. From the subtle shift of seasons to the profound evolution of species, change is an undeniable aspect of our reality. Yet, for millennia, philosophers have grappled with a profound...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Time in Physics Summary: The problem of time in physics is a profound philosophical and scientific dilemma stemming from the stark contrast between our subjective experience of time – as a flowing, directional entity – and its treatment as a mere spatial dimension or external...
The Enduring Philosophical Quandary: The Problem of Chance in Evolution The concept of evolution, particularly as articulated by Darwin, presents one of the most profound challenges and richest opportunities for philosophical inquiry. At its heart lies a tension that has perplexed thinkers for centuries: how can the seemingly random, undirected...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Space and Infinity Have you ever gazed at the night sky, feeling a dizzying sense of both wonder and profound insignificance? Or perhaps pondered how many points exist between any two given points? If so, you've intuitively stumbled upon one of...
The Problem of Fate and Necessity: Are We Truly Free? Welcome, fellow travelers on the philosophical journey! Chloe Fitzgerald here, ready to tackle one of the most enduring and perplexing questions that has haunted humanity since we first started thinking: The Problem of Fate and Necessity. At its core, this...
Grappling with the Unseen: An Enduring Philosophical Dilemma At the very heart of philosophy lies the enduring problem of understanding being itself and how we, as conscious entities, can attain reliable knowledge about it. This article explores the historical development and persistent challenges of these two fundamental inquiries, demonstrating their...
The Enduring Riddle: Navigating the Problem of Time and Eternity The concepts of Time and Eternity sit at the very heart of metaphysics, presenting a profound and persistent problem that has captivated thinkers for millennia. From ancient cosmologies to modern physics, humanity has grappled with the elusive nature of our...
The Enduring Problem of Space in Astronomy The nature of space is one of the most profound and persistent problems in both philosophy and astronomy. From the ancient Greeks contemplating a finite cosmos to modern astrophysicists grappling with an expanding universe, the question of what space is has continually challenged...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Philosophical Problem of Life and Death The philosophical problem of life and death stands as one of humanity's most ancient and persistent inquiries. Far from a mere biological observation, philosophy delves into the profound meaning, nature, and implications of existence and its cessation....
The Enduring Conundrum of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is perpetually entangled in a profound philosophical knot: the Problem of Sin and Will. This intricate dilemma probes the very essence of human agency, moral responsibility, and the nature of Good and Evil. If we possess free...
Navigating the Labyrinth: The Enduring Problem of Time and Space The very fabric of our existence, the stage upon which all life unfolds, is woven from the enigmatic threads of time and space. Yet, despite their omnipresence, few concepts have proven as stubbornly resistant to definitive understanding. For millennia, philosophers...
The Enduring Conundrum: Unpacking the Problem of Matter and Mechanics The quest to understand the fundamental nature of reality has been a cornerstone of philosophy for millennia. At its heart lies a profound and persistent inquiry: the Problem of Matter and Mechanics. This isn't merely a scientific puzzle;...
The Enduring Paradox: Slavery, Liberty, and the Human Condition Summary: The problem of slavery, in all its forms, stands as a stark antithesis to the ideal of liberty, challenging the very essence of what it means to be a man. This article explores the perennial philosophical tension between these two...
The Unfathomable Expanse: Grappling with Infinity in Space The concept of infinity, particularly when applied to the vastness of space, presents one of philosophy's most enduring and mind-bending challenges. Is space truly infinite, or does it have boundaries? And what does "infinite" even mean in this...
The Unfolding Enigma: Grappling with Time and Infinity in Metaphysics The problem of time and infinity stands as one of the most profound and persistent challenges in metaphysics, probing the very fabric of reality and our capacity to comprehend it. This article delves into the philosophical quandaries posed by these...
The Persistent Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World: A Philosophical Inquiry The existence of suffering, injustice, and moral depravity in a world often believed to be governed by a benevolent power presents one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing challenges: The Problem of Evil. This article delves...
The Unfolding Moment: Consciousness, Time, and the Human Predicament The very act of living is an act of experiencing time. Yet, what is time? And how does our consciousness, this subjective realm of thought and feeling, interact with it? This is not merely a scientific inquiry but a profound philosophical...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Labor in the State Summary: The problem of labor within the state is a foundational philosophical challenge, deeply entwined with questions of individual freedom, social structure, and the distribution of wealth. From ancient Greek city-states to modern industrial societies, thinkers have grappled with how...
The Problem of Sin and Desire: A Perennial Philosophical Quagmire The human experience is inextricably bound to a fundamental tension: the pull of our desires and the often-conflicting demands of morality, frequently encapsulated in the concept of sin. This article delves into the intricate philosophical problem of how desire, an...
The Enduring Conundrum: Unpacking the Problem of Fate and Chance The Problem of Fate and Chance stands as one of philosophy's most persistent and perplexing challenges, probing the very nature of reality, causality, and human agency. At its core, this problem grapples with whether events are predetermined and...
The Problem of Good and Evil in the World: A Philosophical Odyssey From the dawn of human consciousness, the stark contrast between good and evil has haunted our collective imagination. It’s a problem that transcends cultures, religions, and epochs, forcing us to grapple with the very fabric of existence...
The Unending Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Infinity in Mathematics Summary: A Journey into the Boundless The concept of infinity has long been a profound problem at the intersection of philosophy and mathematics, challenging our most fundamental intuitions about quantity and existence. From the paradoxes of ancient Greece to the...
The Elusive Canvas: Unpacking The Problem of Art and Imagination A Glimpse into the Mind's Artistic Labyrinth Art, in its myriad forms, presents a fascinating and enduring philosophical problem: how does it truly relate to reality, truth, and the intricate workings of the human mind? This article delves...
The Ever-Shifting Sands of Being: Navigating the Problem of Change and Opposition The problem of change and opposition has puzzled philosophers since antiquity, challenging our understanding of reality's fundamental nature. How can things both persist and transform? How can opposing states coexist or transition? This article delves into...
The Enigma of Randomness in Natural Selection: Unpacking the Problem of Chance in Evolution The concept of chance in evolution is far more than a simple biological mechanism; it's a profound philosophical problem that challenges our understanding of purpose, design, and even the very nature of science. While...
Navigating the Infinite Void: The Enduring Problem of Space and Infinity The human mind, in its relentless quest to comprehend existence, has long grappled with two of the most fundamental and perplexing concepts: space and infinity. What is space? Is it an empty container, a fabric, or merely a relation...
The Enduring Conundrum: Unpacking the Problem of Fate and Necessity Have you ever felt caught between a predetermined path and the undeniable urge to forge your own? Welcome to one of philosophy's most persistent and perplexing questions: the problem of fate and necessity. This isn't just...
The Problem of Being and Knowledge: A Core Philosophical Inquiry The Problem of Being and Knowledge stands as one of the most fundamental and enduring quandaries in all of philosophy. At its heart, it grapples with two intertwined questions: What is reality? (the question of Being) and How can we...
The Timeless Riddle: Navigating the Problem of Time and Eternity Summary: The Problem of Time and Eternity stands as one of the most profound and persistent challenges in Metaphysics. It asks us to reconcile our lived experience of a flowing, sequential present with the philosophical and theological concept of Eternity...