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 Enigma: Unpacking the Distinction Between Good and Evil The concepts of Good and Evil stand as formidable pillars in the landscape of human thought, shaping our societies, laws, and personal moral compasses. Yet, the precise distinction between them remains one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing...
The Inextricable Link: Exploring the Connection Between Sin and Desire From ancient philosophical dialogues to the towering theological treatises of the medieval period, a profound connection has been consistently observed between human desire and the concept of sin. This article delves into how philosophers and theologians across the Western tradition...
The Enduring Problem of Good and Evil in the World The question of why good and evil exist, and how they manifest in our world, is perhaps the most ancient and persistent problem facing humanity. From the earliest myths to the most sophisticated philosophical treatises, thinkers have grappled with understanding...
The Shadow Within: Unraveling the Theological Problem of Evil (Sin) The question of why a benevolent, omnipotent, and omniscient God would permit the existence of evil has vexed theologians and philosophers for millennia. This is the Theological Problem of Evil, a profound paradox that strikes at the very heart of...
The assertion that desire acts as the fundamental cause of sin is a profound and enduring theme woven throughout the fabric of Western philosophy, particularly evident in the Great Books of the Western World. From ancient Greek wisdom to patristic theology and medieval scholasticism, thinkers have grappled with how our...
Navigating the Labyrinth: The Enduring Distinction Between Good and Evil The human experience is perpetually shaped by our attempts to understand, define, and navigate the profound distinction between good and evil. From ancient myths to contemporary ethical dilemmas, this fundamental dichotomy has challenged philosophers, theologians, and ordinary individuals alike. This...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of both profound goodness and inexplicable evil is arguably the most persistent and unsettling problem humanity faces. From the dawn of recorded thought, philosophers, theologians, and ordinary individuals have grappled with how to reconcile acts...
The Theological Problem of Evil: Confronting the Shadow of Sin The existence of evil in a world purportedly created and sustained by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God presents one of philosophy and theology's most enduring and vexing challenges. At the heart of this "Theological Problem of...
Unraveling the Labyrinth: The Philosophical Causes of Sin and Moral Error We, as thinking beings, often find ourselves grappling with a fundamental question: why do we err? Why do we, despite our capacity for reason and our innate longing for what is good, frequently succumb to sin and moral transgression?...
The Inescapable Link: Desire as the Genesis of Sin From the earliest philosophical inquiries to the profound theological treatises, the vexing question of sin has consistently found its roots in the labyrinthine corridors of human desire. Across the vast intellectual landscape of the Great Books of the Western World, desire...
The connection between sin and desire stands as one of the most enduring and complex inquiries within the annals of Western philosophy. At its core, this relationship explores how our deepest human longings, whether for pleasure, power, knowledge, or even love, can become the very pathways that lead us away...
The Ethical Labyrinth of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin The act of lying, at first glance, seems unequivocally wrong. Yet, the human experience is replete with situations where the line between honesty and deception blurs, forcing us to confront profound ethical questions. This pillar page delves into the philosophical and...
The Enduring Riddle: Grappling with the Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of evil in a world often posited as created or governed by a benevolent power presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent dilemmas. This "Problem of Evil" is not merely...
The Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): An Examination of Divine Justice and Human Transgression The existence of evil in a world supposedly created and governed by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God presents one of the most enduring and profound challenges to Theology and philosophy. This "problem of evil&...
The Labyrinth of Our Own Making: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Error This article explores the enduring philosophical question of the cause of sin and moral error, moving beyond simplistic explanations to delve into the intricate workings of human will, reason, and duty. Drawing upon seminal ideas from...