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 Ethical Dilemma of Lying: A Journey Through Truth and Sin Lying, an act seemingly simple in its execution, unravels into one of humanity's most profound and enduring ethical dilemmas. It forces us to confront the very nature of Truth, the weight of Sin, the imperative of Duty,...
The Enduring Tangle: Unraveling the Problem of Sin and Desire The human condition is a tapestry woven with threads of aspiration and affliction, of noble pursuits and base temptations. At its very core lies "The Problem of Sin and Desire"—a paradox that has confounded philosophers, theologians, and...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The human experience is a tapestry woven with threads of both profound beauty and devastating suffering. From acts of selfless compassion to horrors of unimaginable cruelty, the stark dichotomy of good and evil confronts us daily. This...
The Shadow of Disobedience: Navigating the Theological Problem of Evil (Sin) The existence of suffering and evil in a world supposedly overseen by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-benevolent God has haunted thinkers for millennia. This profound paradox, often termed the Problem of Evil, stands as one of the most formidable...
The Labyrinth of Error: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Transgression Sin and moral error are not simple phenomena. Philosophically, their cause is often traced not to an external force or inherent evil, but to a misdirection or defect within the human will, leading to a failure to uphold...
Desire as the Root of Our Transgressions: An Inquiry into Sin's Primal Cause In the grand tapestry of human experience, few threads are as enduringly complex or as profoundly debated as the origin of sin. From ancient myths to modern psychology, humanity has grappled with the question: Why...
Navigating the Labyrinth: The Enduring Quest for Good and Evil in Moral Systems The concepts of Good and Evil stand as the bedrock of any moral system, shaping our understanding of right and wrong, justice and injustice. From ancient philosophers grappling with the ideal life to theological doctrines defining divine...
The Concept of Sin and Moral Judgment: A Philosophical Journey The concepts of sin and moral judgment are ancient and enduring, forming the bedrock of human ethics, religious doctrine, and societal structures. From the earliest myths to contemporary debates on accountability, humanity has grappled with defining wrongdoing, assigning blame, and...
The Enduring Stain: Philosophical Inquiries into the Ethics of Slavery and Human Labor This article delves into the profound ethical complexities surrounding slavery and human labor, tracing its historical presence from ancient civilizations to its modern manifestations. Drawing upon the rich philosophical tradition found in the Great Books of the...
The Enduring Problem of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The perennial problem of sin and will lies at the very heart of human existence, morality, and our understanding of freedom. It is a profound philosophical and theological inquiry into how we, as agents, make choices that deviate from the...
The Enduring Divide: Navigating the Distinction Between Good and Evil The human experience is inextricably bound by a fundamental moral compass, constantly seeking to orient itself between what is right and what is wrong. This article delves into the profound philosophical challenge of establishing a clear Distinction between Good and...
The Unseen Threads: Sin, Desire, and the Human Will This article delves into the profound and often troubling connection between sin and desire, examining how the human will navigates these powerful forces as understood by the titans of Western thought. From ancient Greek philosophers to medieval theologians, the intricate relationship...
The Ethical Dilemma of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin Lying, at its core, presents one of humanity's most enduring and complex ethical challenges. While often condemned as a moral failing or a sin, the act of deception is not always straightforwardly evil. From the "white lie"...
The Weight of Transgression: Unpacking the Theological Concept of Sin and Punishment The concepts of sin and punishment lie at the very heart of theological discourse, shaping our understanding of morality, divine will, and the very structure of the cosmos. Far from being mere archaic notions, they represent a profound...
The Enduring Enigma: Confronting the Problem of Evil (Sin) in Our World The existence of suffering, injustice, and moral transgression – what we often term "evil" and "sin" – presents one of the most profound and persistent intellectual and existential challenges to humanity, especially for those who posit...
The Problem of Sin and Desire: Navigating the Labyrinth of the Human Soul Summary: The problem of sin and desire lies at the very heart of human experience, forming a perennial philosophical and theological challenge. This article explores how our inherent desires, while essential for life and action, can become...
The Enduring Question: Confronting the Problem of Good and Evil in Our World The existence of suffering, injustice, and malevolence in a world often imagined as orderly or even divinely created presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges: The Problem of Good and Evil. This isn&...
The Theological Problem of Evil: Confronting Sin in a Benevolent Cosmos The existence of suffering and moral wrong in a world purportedly created and sustained by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God presents one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing challenges. Within this broader "Problem of Evil,...
The Labyrinth of Error: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Transgression Why do we err? What compels us to choose the path of moral transgression, diverging from what we know to be right? This enduring question has vexed the greatest minds of Western thought, from the ancient Greeks wrestling...
Desire as the Cause of Sin: An Inquiry into the Human Condition Within the grand tapestry of Western thought, the question of sin's genesis has long captivated humanity's keenest minds. A recurring, profound insight emerges: desire, in its various manifestations, stands as a primary cause of...
Decoding Our Moral Compass: The Concept of Good and Evil in Moral Systems The concepts of Good and Evil stand as monumental pillars in the architecture of human morality, shaping our laws, cultures, and personal choices. But what do we truly mean when we label something "good" or...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing the Concept of Sin and Moral Judgment The human experience is inextricably linked to questions of right and wrong, virtue and vice, and the inevitable consequences that follow our actions. At the heart of these profound inquiries lie the concepts of sin and moral judgment. Far...
The Enduring Stain: An Ethical Examination of Slavery and Human Labor Summary: The history of human civilization is inextricably linked to the concept of labor, yet it is tragically marred by the pervasive institution of slavery. This article delves into the profound ethical dilemmas surrounding slavery and the broader spectrum...
The Theological Problem of Evil: Confronting Sin in the Shadow of an Omnipotent God The existence of evil in a world purportedly created and sustained by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God has vexed thinkers for millennia. This is the Theological Problem of Evil, a profound challenge to faith and...
The Labyrinth of Error: Unpacking the Causes of Sin and Moral Transgression Why do we, as rational beings, so often fall short of the good we know or aspire to? This enduring question lies at the heart of moral philosophy and theology, a perennial puzzle explored by the greatest minds...
The Serpent in the Garden of the Soul: Unpacking Desire as the Root Cause of Sin Our journey through the annals of Western thought reveals a persistent, profound truth: that desire, when unchecked and improperly directed by the will, stands as the fundamental cause of sin. This article delves into...
The Enduring Dance: Good and Evil in Moral Systems The concepts of Good and Evil are not mere philosophical abstractions; they are the foundational bedrock upon which all moral systems are built, shaping human understanding of right and wrong, justice and injustice. From ancient Greek ethics to modern deontological and...
The Labyrinth of Conscience: Unpacking Sin and Moral Judgment A Philosophical Journey Through Transgression and Accountability The concepts of sin and moral judgment lie at the very heart of human civilization, shaping our laws, our religions, and our personal ethics. Far from being mere theological relics, they represent humanity’s...
The Enduring Ethical Stain: Slavery and the Moral Calculus of Human Labor The question of slavery, its historical manifestations, and its contemporary echoes in exploitative labor practices, represents one of humanity's most profound and persistent moral challenges. This article delves into the ethical considerations surrounding the ownership and...
The Enduring Problem of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is a tapestry woven with threads of choice and consequence, aspiration and failure. At its very heart lies one of philosophy's most profound and persistent dilemmas: The Problem of Sin and Will. How do we,...
Unraveling the Core: The Enduring Distinction Between Good and Evil The concepts of good and evil stand as fundamental pillars in human thought, shaping our ethics, laws, and personal conduct across millennia. This article delves into the profound philosophical distinction between these two opposing forces, exploring how various traditions, from...
The Intricate Connection Between Sin and Desire A Philosophical Exploration of Our Inner Conflicts Summary: The relationship between sin and desire is one of the most enduring and complex themes in Western philosophy, revealing profound insights into human nature, morality, and the struggle for self-governance. From the ancient Greeks grappling...
The Ethical Dilemma of Lying: Navigating Truth, Sin, and Duty Lying, an act as ancient as human communication itself, presents one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing ethical dilemmas. While intuitively understood as wrong, the complexities surrounding truth, sin, duty, and the pursuit of good and evil transform...
The Weight of Consequence: Unpacking the Theological Concept of Sin and Punishment The concepts of sin and punishment are foundational pillars within Theology, shaping our understanding of morality, human nature, and the divine. Far from being mere archaic doctrines, they represent a profound attempt to grapple with the origins of...