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 Question: What Makes Punishment Just? Let's be honest, the concept of punishment often leaves a sour taste. It conjures images of suffering, restriction, and the imposition of will. Yet, societies across millennia have deemed it necessary, a cornerstone of Law and order. But what transforms mere...
The Indispensable Role: Unpacking the Function of Punishment in Justice The question of why we punish, and what purpose that punishment serves within the broader edifice of justice, has vexed philosophers, jurists, and societies since antiquity. Far from being a simple act of retribution, the function of punishment is a...
The Intricate Scales: Navigating the Justice of Punishment in Law The concept of punishment, an omnipresent feature of human societies and their legal systems, is fraught with profound philosophical questions regarding its Justice. At its core, the debate asks not merely what punishment is, but what makes it just – a...
The Scales of Consequence: Grappling with Just Punishment The concept of just punishment is one of philosophy's most enduring and complex dilemmas, sitting at the very heart of how societies define justice, uphold Law, and respond to acts deemed Good and Evil. This article delves into the philosophical...
