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 Infinite: The Philosophical Problem of Space in Astronomy The vast, silent expanse that surrounds our pale blue dot is more than just a backdrop for celestial mechanics; it is a profound philosophical problem. For millennia, astronomy has pushed the boundaries of our empirical knowledge, revealing an ever-expanding universe...
The Enduring Enigma: Confronting the Philosophical Problem of Life and Death The questions surrounding life and death represent perhaps the most fundamental and persistent problem in all of philosophy. From ancient inquiries into the nature of the soul to modern debates on consciousness and bioethics, humanity has grappled with the...
The Perennial Conundrum: Unpacking the Problem of Sin and Will The relationship between Sin and Will stands as one of the most enduring and perplexing problems in philosophy and theology. At its heart lies the question of human freedom, moral responsibility, and the very nature of Good and Evil. This...
Hey everyone, Chloe here! Ever just stop and really think about… time? Or the space you're currently occupying? Sounds simple, right? But trust me, once you dive into the philosophical rabbit hole, these seemingly basic concepts unravel into one of the most profound and persistent problems in the...
The Enduring Paradox: Unpacking the Problem of Slavery and Liberty The concept of human liberty feels innate, a fundamental right woven into the very fabric of our being. Yet, throughout history, Man has grappled with the profound problem of slavery, a stark antithesis to this cherished freedom. This article delves...
Lost in the Labyrinth: The Philosophical Problem of Infinity in Space The idea of space stretching on forever, without end or boundary, is one of philosophy's most enduring and mind-bending problems. Our finite minds, accustomed to measuring and delineating, recoil at the concept of infinity. How can something...
Navigating the Unfathomable: The Problem of Time and Infinity Summary: The concepts of Time and Infinity represent two of the most enduring and perplexing problems in Metaphysics. From ancient Greek thought to modern cosmology, philosophers have grappled with their elusive nature, their profound interrelationship, and the challenges they pose to...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering, injustice, and moral transgression in our World presents one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing challenges: The Problem of Evil. This article delves into the historical and philosophical attempts to reconcile the...
The Labyrinth of Now: Unpacking the Problem of Time and Consciousness The problem of time and consciousness stands as one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing enigmas. Our subjective experience of time is deeply personal, flowing within the confines of our mind, yet time itself seems an objective,...
The Unresolved Dilemma: The Problem of Labor in the State The relationship between labor, the individual, and the state has been a persistent philosophical problem since the dawn of organized society. At its core, this dilemma grapples with how political structures define, regulate, and benefit from human productive activity, and...
The Problem of Sin and Desire: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is perpetually caught in a profound tension between what we crave and what we perceive as right or wrong. This intricate dance between desire and sin forms one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing problems. From...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating The Problem of Fate and Chance The problem of fate and chance stands as one of philosophy's most persistent and perplexing questions, grappling with the very nature of reality, human freedom, and the fabric of cause and effect. At its core, it asks whether...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating The Problem of Good and Evil in Our World From the earliest myths to contemporary headlines, humanity has grappled with an inescapable paradox: how can a world brimming with beauty, compassion, and justice also be a stage for profound suffering, malevolence, and injustice? This question, often...
The Unending Enigma: Exploring the Problem of Infinity in Mathematics Infinity, a concept as old as thought itself, stands as one of the most profound and persistent problems in both philosophy and mathematics. It challenges our fundamental understanding of quantity, space, time, and even the nature of reality. From the...
The Enduring Quandary: Unpacking The Problem of Art and Imagination The relationship between art and imagination is one of philosophy's most captivating and persistent puzzles. At its core lies the problem: how does art, born from the boundless realm of human imagination and filtered through our memory, relate...
Navigating the Shifting Sands: The Enduring Problem of Change and Opposition The world around us is a whirlwind of transformation. From the subtle shift of seasons to the dramatic arc of a human life, change is an undeniable aspect of our existence. Yet, beneath this dynamic surface lies one of...
The Problem of Time in Physics: A Chloe Fitzgerald Perspective Time. We feel it, we measure it, we live by it. It seems like the most fundamental quantity in our universe, ticking relentlessly forward, marking existence. Yet, for all its apparent obviousness, time presents one of the most profound and...
The Unsettling Roll of the Dice: The Problem of Chance in Evolution A Chloe Fitzgerald Perspective Summary: The concept of chance lies at the heart of modern evolutionary science, yet it presents a profound philosophical problem. While science meticulously describes the mechanisms by which random mutations and environmental contingencies drive...
Navigating the Labyrinth: The Problem of Space and Infinity The very concepts of space and infinity have haunted philosophers and mathematicians for millennia, posing some of the most profound and persistent problems in human thought. From the ancient Greeks grappling with paradoxes of motion to modern cosmologists pondering the universe&...
The Problem of Fate and Necessity: Unraveling the Threads of Choice Are we truly the masters of our own destinies, or are our lives merely intricate patterns woven by forces beyond our control? This isn't just a philosophical musing for a quiet afternoon; it's The Problem...
The Intertwined Labyrinth: Unpacking the Problem of Being and Knowledge The problem of Being and Knowledge lies at the very heart of philosophy, forming a fundamental inquiry into what truly exists and how we can possibly come to understand it. This article explores the historical roots and enduring complexities of...
The Unfolding Mystery: Navigating the Problem of Time and Eternity A Brief Glimpse into the Abyss The Problem of Time and Eternity stands as one of the most enduring and perplexing challenges in Metaphysics. At its core, it grapples with the fundamental nature of existence itself: Is time a real,...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Space in Astronomy The cosmos, in its awe-inspiring immensity, presents humanity with perhaps its most profound philosophical challenge: the Problem of Space. Far from a mere backdrop for celestial mechanics, space itself has been a subject of intense philosophical inquiry, its nature shifting...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Sin and Will The relationship between sin and will lies at the heart of some of philosophy's most profound and persistent questions. This pillar page delves into this intricate problem, exploring how thinkers across millennia have grappled with the nature of human...
The Unsettling Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Time and Space The seemingly straightforward concepts of time and space, the very fabric of our existence, present one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing challenges. Far from being mere empty containers for events, their true nature — whether they are independent...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Matter and Mechanics The quest to understand the fundamental nature of reality is perhaps the oldest and most persistent philosophical endeavor. At its heart lies The Problem of Matter and Mechanics: what is the world made of, and how does it behave? This...
The Enduring Paradox: Chains and Freedoms in the Human Story The concept of slavery stands as one of humanity's most profound and persistent moral problems, a stark antithesis to the cherished ideal of liberty. From the earliest philosophical inquiries to the present day, thinkers have grappled with this...
The Boundless Horizon: Grappling with the Problem of Infinity in Space The vast expanse above us, a canvas of stars stretching beyond our comprehension, has always been a source of both wonder and profound philosophical perplexity. At the heart of this cosmic contemplation lies The Problem of Infinity in Space...
The Unfolding Enigma: The Problem of Time and Infinity in Metaphysics The human mind, in its relentless pursuit of understanding, frequently stumbles upon conceptual chasms that defy easy resolution. Among the most profound of these is the intricate problem of Time and Infinity – a foundational metaphysical inquiry that has captivated...
The Shifting Sands of Now: Unpacking the Problem of Time and Consciousness The Problem of Time and Consciousness strikes at the very heart of what it means to be, to perceive, and to exist. It's an age-old philosophical conundrum: Is time an objective reality independent of our minds,...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Labor in the State Summary: The relationship between labor and the state is one of philosophy's most enduring and complex problems. From ancient republics to modern industrial societies, thinkers have grappled with how to integrate productive effort into the political body, how...
The Problem of Sin and Desire A Fundamental Conundrum of Human Existence The human experience is a tapestry woven with threads of aspiration and temptation, noble pursuits and regrettable failings. At the heart of this intricate design lies the problem of sin and desire—a philosophical and theological conundrum that...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Grappling with the Problem of Fate and Chance The human experience is a peculiar dance between what seems inevitable and what feels utterly random. From the grand sweep of cosmic events to the minutiae of daily decisions, we confront a fundamental philosophical Problem: how do we reconcile...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of good and evil is perhaps the most fundamental and unsettling problem humanity faces. From the dawn of recorded history, thinkers have grappled with the apparent contradiction of a world replete with both profound beauty...