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 Unbearable Weight: Deconstructing the Ethics of Slavery and Human Labor The question of slavery stands as one of humanity's most profound moral failures, a stark illustration of the capacity for good and evil within civilization. From antiquity to the modern era, societies have grappled with the implications...
The Enduring Enigma: Unraveling the Problem of Good and Evil in Our World Have you ever found yourself staring into the abyss of human suffering, or marveling at acts of profound kindness, and wondered: Why? Why is there so much pain, injustice, and destruction in a world that also holds...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing Good and Evil in Moral Systems Summary The concepts of Good and Evil form the bedrock of all moral systems, yet their definitions have been debated, redefined, and challenged across millennia. This article embarks on a philosophical journey, exploring how various schools of thought, from ancient...
Navigating the Labyrinth: The Concept of Sin and Moral Judgment The concepts of sin and moral judgment lie at the very heart of human experience, shaping our understanding of good and evil, guiding our actions, and influencing the structures of our societies. From ancient epics to modern philosophical treatises, humanity...
The Enduring Stain: An Ethical Examination of Slavery and Human Labor The history of humanity is, regrettably, intertwined with the practice of slavery and the complex ethics of human labor. From ancient civilizations to modern forms of exploitation, the subjugation of one person by another for the purpose of forced...
The Enduring Quandary: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering and moral depravity in a world purportedly governed by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent deity constitutes one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing problems. This article delves into the "Problem of Evil,...
The Intractable Knot: Unraveling The Problem of Sin and Desire The human condition is perpetually entangled in the intricate dance between our deepest yearnings and our moral compass. "The Problem of Sin and Desire" explores this fundamental tension, examining how our innate cravings often clash with our pursuit...
Navigating the Labyrinth: The Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of suffering, injustice, and malevolence in a world often perceived as beautiful and ordered presents one of humanity's most enduring and perplexing philosophical challenges: the Problem of Good and Evil. From the earliest myths...
The Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): An Enduring Riddle of Faith and Reason The existence of suffering and moral transgression in a world purportedly created and sustained by an omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and omniscient God presents perhaps the most profound and persistent challenge to theological thought. This is The Theological Problem...
The Labyrinth of Error: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Error The question of why we err, why we choose paths we know to be wrong, or fail to meet our own moral standards, is perhaps one of humanity's most enduring and perplexing inquiries. From the earliest...
The Serpent's Whisper: Desire as the Cause of Sin Summary: Across the vast panorama of Western thought, from ancient Greece to the scholastic heights of the Middle Ages, a persistent theme emerges: desire, often unbridled or misdirected, stands as the fundamental cause of sin. This article explores how...
The Enduring Dichotomy: Exploring Good and Evil in Moral Systems The concepts of Good and Evil stand as the foundational pillars upon which all moral systems are constructed. From ancient philosophical inquiries to contemporary ethical debates, humanity has grappled with defining these opposing forces, seeking to understand their origins, their...
The Concept of Sin and Moral Judgment: A Philosophical Inquiry The concepts of sin and moral judgment lie at the very heart of human experience, shaping our understanding of ourselves, our societies, and our place in the cosmos. Far from being mere relics of ancient religion, these ideas represent a...
The Enduring Ethical Dilemma: Slavery, Human Labor, and the Scrutiny of Morality From the earliest civilizations to the present day, the institution of slavery and the nature of human labor have presented humanity with its most profound ethical challenges. This article delves into the philosophical and moral arguments surrounding these...
The Enduring Stain: An Ethical Inquiry into Slavery and Human Labor Summary: The institution of slavery, in all its historical and contemporary manifestations, stands as one of humanity's most profound and persistent moral failures. This article delves into the ethical considerations surrounding slavery and forced labor, drawing upon...
The Enduring Conundrum: Unpacking the Problem of Sin and Will The human condition, a tapestry woven with threads of aspiration and despair, reason and passion, finds its most perplexing knot in the Problem of Sin and Will. This profound philosophical and theological inquiry grapples with our capacity for moral failing...
The enduring human quest to understand the fundamental forces that shape our existence often leads us to the profound philosophical problem of defining and distinguishing between Good and Evil. This isn't merely an academic exercise; it touches the very core of our moral choices, our societal structures, and...
The theological concepts of sin and punishment lie at the heart of many religious traditions, offering profound insights into the nature of good and evil, human responsibility, and divine Justice. This article explores how Theology grapples with these fundamental ideas, examining the origins and implications of Sin and the various...
The Enduring Conundrum: Grappling with the Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World For millennia, humanity has looked upon the tapestry of existence – a vibrant weave of beauty, order, and immense suffering. From the innocent's cry to the perpetrator's dark deed, the presence of malevolence and...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The problem of good and evil in the world is arguably one of humanity's most ancient and persistent intellectual and existential challenges. It probes the very fabric of our reality, our moral compass, and our...
The Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): An Enduring Conundrum The existence of evil in a world ostensibly created and governed by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God represents one of the most profound and persistent challenges to Theology. This dilemma, often termed the problem of evil, becomes particularly acute when...
In the labyrinthine corridors of human morality, few questions vex the thoughtful mind as persistently as that concerning the cause of sin and moral error. It is a query that has occupied the greatest thinkers from antiquity to the modern era, compelling us to peer into the very essence of...
The Labyrinth of Wrongdoing: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Error A Deliberation on the Origin of Our Moral Missteps Summary: The persistent question of why we stray from the path of rectitude, why we commit sin or fall into moral error, has haunted philosophers and theologians for millennia....