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 Conundrum: Grappling with the Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering and moral transgression in a World often posited as the creation of an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good deity presents one of philosophy's most persistent and profound challenges: The Problem of Evil....
The Enduring Problem of Sin and Desire: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is a tapestry woven with threads of aspiration and apprehension, of noble ideals and base impulses. At its very core lies the profound problem of sin and desire, an ancient philosophical and theological quandary that has captivated...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of suffering, injustice, and malevolence alongside beauty, compassion, and virtue presents humanity with one of its most profound and persistent intellectual and emotional challenges: The Problem of Good and Evil in the World. This isn&...
The Shadow of Eden: Unpacking the Theological Problem of Evil (Sin) The existence of suffering, injustice, and malevolence in a world purportedly created and overseen by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God presents one of philosophy and theology's most enduring and vexing dilemmas. This is the heart of...
The Labyrinth of Choice: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Error The question of why we err, why we fall short of our moral ideals, has plagued humanity since the dawn of self-awareness. This article delves into the profound philosophical inquiry into the cause of sin and moral error,...
The Genesis of Transgression: Desire as the Cause of Sin The question of sin's origin has plagued philosophers and theologians for millennia, yet a recurrent theme emerges across the Great Books of the Western World: desire often stands as the fundamental cause. This isn't to condemn...
Navigating the Moral Compass: The Enduring Quest for Good and Evil The concepts of Good and Evil stand as the bedrock of any moral system, shaping our understanding of right and wrong, justice and injustice, and ultimately, what it means to live a meaningful human life. From ancient philosophers grappling...
The Labyrinth of Conscience: Exploring Sin and Moral Judgment The concepts of sin and moral judgment are as ancient as human civilization itself, forming the bedrock upon which our understanding of good and evil, responsibility, and justice is built. This pillar page delves into the multifaceted nature of sin, tracing...
The Ethics of Slavery and Human Labor: A Philosophical Reprobation This article delves into the profound ethical questions surrounding slavery and human labor, tracing their philosophical and theological interpretations from antiquity through the modern era. We will examine how concepts of sin, good and evil, and the inherent dignity of...
The Enduring Conundrum: Unpacking The Problem of Sin and Will The human experience is perpetually shadowed by the perplexing interplay of sin and will. From ancient Greek tragedy to modern existential angst, philosophers and theologians alike have grappled with the fundamental problem: if we possess a will, how can we...
The Enduring Distinction Between Good and Evil: A Philosophical Journey The distinction between good and evil stands as one of humanity's most profound and persistent philosophical inquiries. It's not merely an academic exercise but a foundational quest to understand our actions, our intentions, and the very...
The Indelible Link: Unpacking the Connection Between Sin and Desire Summary: The perennial human struggle with temptation finds its philosophical bedrock in the intricate connection between sin and desire. From ancient Greek thought to Christian theology, Western philosophy, as illuminated by the Great Books of the Western World, consistently identifies...
The Ethical Dilemma of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin Summary: Lying, a seemingly simple act of deception, unravels into one of philosophy's most enduring and complex ethical dilemmas. This pillar page delves into the multifaceted problem of lying, exploring its profound implications for truth, its categorization as sin...
The Weight of Transgression: Exploring the Theological Concepts of Sin and Punishment The concepts of sin and punishment stand as foundational pillars within theology, deeply shaping our understanding of morality, justice, and the human relationship with the divine. Far from being mere archaic notions, they represent profound philosophical attempts to...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The Problem of Evil, often framed as the paradox of a benevolent, omnipotent God coexisting with suffering and moral transgression, stands as one of philosophy's most enduring challenges. This article delves into the historical formulations of this...
The Problem of Sin and Desire: A Philosophical Inquiry Summary: The problem of sin and desire lies at the heart of human experience, representing a perennial philosophical challenge concerning our choices, motivations, and the struggle between our aspirations for the good and our inclinations towards what is often deemed evil....
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating The Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of good and evil is arguably one of the most persistent and perplexing problems facing humanity. From the dawn of recorded thought, philosophers, theologians, and ordinary individuals alike have grappled with the profound paradox of...
The Theological Problem of Evil: Confronting Sin in a Benevolent Cosmos The enduring philosophical and theological problem of evil grapples with the apparent contradiction between an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God and the existence of suffering and wickedness in the world. When we introduce sin into this equation, the problem...
The Labyrinth of Our Own Making: Unraveling the Cause of Sin and Moral Error From the Socratic injunction that "no one errs willingly" to the Augustinian lament over the "mystery of iniquity," humanity has grappled with the perplexing question of why we stray from the path...
The Primal Spark: Unpacking Desire as the Root Cause of Sin A Direct Inquiry into the Origin of Moral Transgression From the ancient Greek philosophers to the towering figures of Christian theology, the question of sin's genesis has captivated the greatest minds in the Western tradition. This article...
The Shifting Sands of Morality: Deconstructing Good and Evil The concepts of Good and Evil are not mere philosophical abstractions; they are the bedrock upon which all moral systems are built, shaping our laws, our societies, and our personal conduct. From ancient dialogues on justice to modern ethical dilemmas, humanity...
The Labyrinth of Transgression: Unpacking Sin and Moral Judgment The concepts of sin and moral judgment are not merely relics of ancient theological debates; they form the very bedrock upon which civilizations have built their ethical frameworks, legal systems, and personal codes of conduct. From the earliest human societies grappling...
The Enduring Stain: Slavery, Labor, and the Philosophical Quest for Justice The question of slavery and the ethics of human labor stands as one of the most profound and persistent moral dilemmas in the history of Western thought. From ancient city-states to modern industrial societies, humanity has grappled with the...
The Enduring Conundrum of the Human Spirit: Navigating The Problem of Sin and Will The human condition, in its profound depth and perplexing contradictions, has perhaps no greater problem than the intricate relationship between sin and will. From the earliest philosophical inquiries to the most rigorous theological treatises, thinkers have...
The Intertwined Roots: Exploring the Connection Between Sin and Desire Summary: The essence of human morality often hinges on the intricate dance between our inherent desires and the choices we make. This article delves into the profound connection between sin and desire, arguing that while desire itself is a fundamental...
The Ethical Dilemma of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin The act of lying, at its core, represents a profound challenge to our understanding of communication, morality, and human integrity. From ancient philosophical debates to contemporary ethical quandaries, the question of whether, when, and why we might deviate from the truth...
Unraveling the Divine Ledger: Sin, Punishment, and the Quest for Theological Justice Summary: The theological concepts of sin and punishment are foundational to understanding many religious traditions, offering profound insights into human nature, divine will, and the very fabric of cosmic order. This article delves into the intricate definitions of...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering and moral depravity in a world purportedly governed or created by an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent being presents one of philosophy's most profound and persistent challenges: the Problem of Evil. This dilemma, often...
The Labyrinth of the Soul: Understanding the Problem of Sin and Desire Summary: The human experience is perpetually intertwined with the internal struggle between our innate desires and the moral frameworks we construct, leading to what philosophers have long grappled with as "the problem of sin and desire."...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of suffering, injustice, and malevolence alongside the undeniable presence of beauty, compassion, and virtue presents humanity with one of its most profound and persistent philosophical challenges: the problem of good and evil in the world....
The Theological Problem of Evil: Wrestling with Sin in a World Made by God The existence of suffering and moral depravity has long haunted humanity, but for those who believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God, this reality presents a profound paradox: the theological problem of evil. Specifically, when...
The Enduring Riddle of Moral Failure: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Error The human condition is a tapestry woven with threads of both profound virtue and perplexing vice. From the earliest philosophical inquiries to the present day, thinkers have grappled with a fundamental question: what truly lies at...
The Primal Spark: How Desire Ignites the Flames of Sin Summary: Unpacking the Root of Transgression From the ancient Greeks to the Christian theologians, a profound philosophical thread posits desire as the fundamental cause of sin. This article delves into how our deepest longings, when unchecked or misdirected, can corrupt...
The Enduring Tapestry: Weaving Good and Evil into Our Moral Systems Summary The concepts of Good and Evil form the bedrock of all moral systems, yet their definitions are as varied as the civilizations that have pondered them. From ancient Greek ideals of Virtue and Vice and the pursuit of...