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 Indispensable Thread: Unraveling the Logical Connection Between Cause and Effect The universe, in its bewildering complexity, often presents itself as a tapestry of events, each seemingly leading to the next. But is this succession merely a coincidence, or is there an unbreakable, logical bond that ties an effect irrevocably...
The Metaphysical Problem of the One and Many: A Fundamental Inquiry into Being The Metaphysical Problem of the One and Many stands as one of philosophy's most ancient and persistent puzzles, a profound philosophical quandary that probes the very nature of reality. At its core, this problem asks:...
The Unbreakable Thread: Unpacking the Connection Between Wealth and Justice A Direct Look at an Age-Old Dilemma The relation between wealth and justice is one of philosophy's most enduring and complex questions, a perennial subject of debate that shapes societies, economies, and individual lives. From ancient city-states to...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Philosophical Problem of One and Many The philosophical problem of the One and Many stands as one of the most fundamental and enduring questions in the annals of Philosophy. At its heart, it asks how the diverse, multitudinous world we experience can be reconciled with...
The Indivisible Thread: Exploring the Concept of Being in Relation to Quality Summary: This article delves into the profound philosophical relationship between Being and Quality, two fundamental concepts in Metaphysics. We will explore how Being—the very fact of existence—is inextricably linked to Quality—the characteristics that define what...
The Enduring Dance: Unraveling the Relationship Between Fate and Will Summary: The age-old philosophical tension between fate and will lies at the heart of human experience, probing the extent to which our lives are predetermined versus how much agency we truly possess. This article delves into the complex relation between...
The Chains of Necessity: Unpacking the Relation Between Labor and Slavery The profound philosophical inquiry into the relation between labor and slavery reveals a complex and often tragic intertwining of human activity and human subjugation. While labor is a fundamental aspect of human existence, essential for sustenance and self-realization, slavery...
The Enduring Inquiry: Unpacking the Relationship Between God and the World The relationship between God and the World is one of philosophy's most profound and persistent questions, shaping not only our understanding of existence but also our moral frameworks and spiritual lives. From ancient metaphysics to modern theology,...
The Enduring Riddle: Confronting the Metaphysical Problem of the One and Many The metaphysical problem of the One and Many stands as one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges. At its core, it asks: How can reality be both a unified whole and a collection of diverse,...
The Intricate Dance: Unpacking the Connection Between Wealth and Justice The relation between wealth and justice is one of philosophy's most enduring and complex questions. Far from being a simple correlation, their interplay shapes societies, defines individual opportunities, and consistently challenges the very foundations of the State. This...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Desire, Happiness, and the Human Condition The human heart, a perpetual wellspring of longing, seems inextricably linked to our pursuit of contentment. Is happiness merely the fleeting echo of a satisfied desire, or does true flourishing demand a more profound relation to our inner yearnings? This enduring...
The Indispensable Dialectic: Logic and the Concept of Same and Other In the grand tapestry of philosophical inquiry, few concepts are as foundational, yet as profoundly elusive, as Same and Other. These are not mere descriptors but fundamental categories through which we apprehend reality, structure our thoughts, and, indeed, construct...
The Enduring Nexus: Exploring the Logic of Quantity and Relation In the grand tapestry of philosophical inquiry, few threads are as fundamental and intricately woven as those of Quantity and Relation. These are not mere abstract notions confined to the ivory tower; rather, they are the very bedrock upon which...
The Indissoluble Knot: Cause and Change The philosophical inquiry into the relation between cause and change stands as one of the most enduring and fundamental investigations in Western thought. At its core, this exploration seeks to understand how one event or state of affairs brings about another, and how this...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Philosophical Problem of One and Many The philosophical problem of the One and Many stands as one of the most fundamental and persistent inquiries in the history of thought. At its core, it grapples with the seemingly contradictory nature of reality: how can the world...
The Indissoluble Bond: Being and Quality in Metaphysical Inquiry Summary: At the core of metaphysical inquiry lies the profound and often overlooked relation between "Being" – the sheer fact of existence – and "Quality" – the specific characteristics that define what something is. This article explores how qualities are...
The Unfolding Drama: Navigating the Relationship Between Fate and Will A Perennial Philosophical Puzzle At the heart of the human experience lies a profound tension: are our lives predetermined by an inescapable fate, or are we the architects of our own destiny through the power of will? This isn'...
The Perilous Proximity: Unpacking the Philosophical Relation Between Labor and Slavery The relation between labor and slavery is one of the most fraught and profound inquiries in Western thought. While seemingly distinct – one a fundamental human activity, the other a heinous institution – philosophy reveals a perilous proximity. This article explores...
Bridging the Metaphysical Divide: Exploring the Intricate Relation Between God and the World The question of the relation between God and the World stands as one of philosophy's most enduring and profound inquiries. It's a foundational issue that shapes our understanding of existence, causality, purpose, and...