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 Infinite Labyrinth: Confronting the Problem of Infinity in Mathematics From the cosmic expanse to the infinitely divisible point, the concept of infinity has haunted human thought for millennia. In Mathematics, this elusive notion transforms from a mere philosophical abstraction into a concrete, yet often paradoxical, Problem. It challenges our...
The Problem of Art and Imagination: A Philosophical Inquiry Summary: The problem of art and imagination lies at the heart of aesthetic philosophy, grappling with how human creativity, driven by the mind's ability to envision beyond reality, generates works that challenge our perceptions, stir our emotions, and often...
Navigating the Flux: The Enduring Problem of Change and Opposition From the ancient Greeks to modern thought, the Problem of Change and Opposition has profoundly challenged our understanding of Nature itself. How can anything truly be if it is constantly becoming something else, and how do seemingly irreconcilable opposites coexist...
The Elusive Nature of Time: A Philosophical Problem in Physics Time. We feel its relentless march, the irreversible flow from past to future, shaping our every experience. Yet, when physicists attempt to pin it down, to quantify it, time reveals itself as one of the most profound and persistent problems...
The Enduring Problem of Chance in Evolution The concept of evolution, as understood through modern science, fundamentally relies on chance – specifically, random mutations and genetic drift – as a primary driver of variation. However, for centuries, philosophers have grappled with how to reconcile seemingly random processes with the emergence of complex,...
Navigating the Infinite Void: Chloe Fitzgerald on the Enduring Problem of Space and Infinity The very fabric of our existence seems to be woven from space and time, yet when we pause to truly consider them, they unravel into a profound philosophical problem. This article delves into the age-old conundrum...
The Unyielding Question: Navigating the Problem of Fate and Necessity Are our lives a meticulously scripted drama, unfolding according to an inescapable cosmic plan, or are we the playwrights of our own destinies, wielding the pen of free will? This profound inquiry lies at the heart of The Problem of...
The Unfolding Enigma: Grappling with the Problem of Being and Knowledge The heart of philosophy beats with fundamental questions, and perhaps none are as persistent and profound as The Problem of Being and Knowledge. At its core, this isn't just an academic puzzle; it's a foundational...
The Enduring Riddle: Confronting the Problem of Time and Eternity The very fabric of our existence is woven with the threads of time and the elusive concept of eternity. Yet, when we dare to truly contemplate them, we quickly stumble upon a profound philosophical problem: how do these two seemingly...
Navigating the Infinite: The Enduring Philosophical Problem of Space in Astronomy A Journey Through the Cosmos of Thought The concept of space, often taken for granted as the mere canvas upon which existence unfolds, presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent problems, particularly when viewed through the...
The Profound Abyss: Unpacking the Philosophical Problem of Life and Death The philosophical problem of life and death is arguably the most fundamental and enduring inquiry facing humanity. It is a timeless conundrum that lies at the very heart of what it means to be, to experience, and ultimately, to...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Sin and Will The intersection of human will and the concept of sin presents one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing problems. At its core, this inquiry grapples with the fundamental question of why individuals, endowed with the capacity for rational...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Problem of Time and Space Summary: The problem of time and space stands as one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges. Far from mere empty containers, time and space ignite fundamental questions about existence, perception, and reality itself. This article delves into...
Unpacking the Universe: The Enduring Problem of Matter and Mechanics From the earliest stirrings of human thought, we've grappled with fundamental questions about the nature of reality. What is the world made of? How does it move and change? These aren't just scientific inquiries; they lie...
Summary: The inherent tension between the concepts of Slavery and Liberty presents a profound philosophical Problem that has plagued humanity since antiquity. This article explores how philosophers, from ancient Greece to the modern era, have grappled with the definition of freedom, the justifications for bondage, and the enduring struggle for...
The Infinite Void: Grappling with the Problem of Infinity in Space The concept of infinity, particularly when applied to the vast expanse we call space, presents one of philosophy's most enduring and mind-bending challenges. It’s a problem that has occupied thinkers from antiquity to the present day,...
The Unyielding Grip 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, vexing thinkers from ancient Greece to the present day. At its core, this problem grapples with the seemingly irreconcilable nature of our...
The Enigmatic Dance: Unraveling the Problem of Time and Consciousness The relationship between time and consciousness presents one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing problems. At its core, this problem explores how our subjective experience of time—its flow, its direction, its present moment—relates to the objective...
The Enduring Problem of Labor in the State From the earliest city-states to our complex global economies, the Problem of Labor within the framework of the State has been a recurring philosophical challenge. This article delves into how various thinkers, whose ideas form the bedrock of Western thought, grappled with...
The Problem of Sin and Desire: A Perennial Conundrum of the Human Condition The human experience is fundamentally shaped by desire. From the simplest urge for sustenance to the most profound yearning for meaning, desire is the engine of our actions, the fuel of our aspirations. Yet, alongside this inherent...
The Problem of Fate and Chance: Navigating Necessity and Contingency The intricate tapestry of existence often presents us with profound philosophical paradoxes, none perhaps more enduring than the problem of fate and chance. This fundamental inquiry delves into the very nature of reality, causality, and human agency, asking whether our...
The Enduring Enigma: Confronting the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of suffering, injustice, and malevolence in a world often perceived as ordered or even divinely created presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges: the problem of good and evil. This isn&...
The Infinite Labyrinth: Unpacking the Problem of Infinity in Mathematics Summary: The Unending Challenge The concept of infinity has haunted philosophers and mathematicians for millennia, presenting a profound problem for our understanding of quantity and existence itself. This pillar page explores how mathematics has grappled with the boundless, from ancient...
The Problem of Art and Imagination: A Journey Through the Mind's Canvas The problem of art and imagination lies at the heart of aesthetic philosophy, questioning the very nature of artistic creation and appreciation. It delves into how the human mind, particularly through its faculties of memory and...
The Ever-Shifting Sands: Unpacking the Problem of Change and Opposition The problem of change and opposition stands as one of philosophy's most enduring and fundamental inquiries. At its heart, it asks: How can things truly change if, to change, they must cease to be what they were and...
The Unfolding Mystery: Confronting the Problem of Time in Physics Time. We feel it, we measure it, we live by it. It seems like the most fundamental quantity of our existence, ticking relentlessly forward. Yet, when we delve into the rigorous world of physics, time transforms from a simple, intuitive...
The Unsettling Dance: Exploring The Problem of Chance in Evolution The theory of evolution, a cornerstone of modern science, offers a powerful explanation for the diversity and complexity of life on Earth. Yet, embedded within its elegant framework lies a profound philosophical problem: the pervasive role of chance. This isn&...
Navigating the Infinite Void: The Enduring Problem of Space and Infinity The very fabric of our existence, the canvas upon which all experience unfolds, is space. Yet, when we dare to ponder its true nature, especially in conjunction with the mind-bending concept of infinity, we quickly find ourselves entangled in...
The Enduring Problem of Fate and Necessity: Navigating the Labyrinth of Will Are we truly masters of our own destiny, or merely puppets dancing to a cosmic tune? This age-old question lies at the heart of "The Problem of Fate and Necessity," a philosophical quandary that has captivated...
The Intertwined Riddle: Unpacking the Problem of Being and Knowledge The fundamental task of philosophy has always been to make sense of reality and our place within it. At its very core lies a profound and persistent problem: how do we reconcile Being – the sheer fact of existence, what is...
Unraveling the Fabric of Existence: The Problem of Time and Eternity The very essence of our existence is framed by Time. We live within its relentless flow, measuring our lives in moments, days, and years. Yet, when we dare to probe its fundamental nature, Time proves to be one of...
The Cosmic Quandary: Unpacking the Problem of Space in Astronomy The very notion of space in astronomy presents not merely a scientific challenge, but a profound philosophical problem that has vexed thinkers for millennia. This article delves into how our understanding of the universe's vast expanse has continually...
The Philosophical Problem of Life and Death: An Enduring Inquiry From the dawn of conscious thought, humanity has grappled with the profound mysteries surrounding its own existence and ultimate cessation. The philosophical problem of life and death is not merely a biological fact but a complex tapestry of metaphysical, ethical,...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Sin and Will The human condition is perpetually entangled in a profound philosophical and theological knot: the problem of sin and will. This complex dilemma probes the very core of our moral agency, questioning why beings endowed with the capacity for rational thought and...