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 Weight of Transgression: Exploring the Theological Concept of Sin and Punishment The concepts of sin and punishment lie at the very heart of theology, forming the bedrock upon which many religious and ethical systems are built. This article delves into how various theological traditions, particularly those illuminated by the...
Grappling with the Shadow: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in Our World A Persistent Philosophical Quandary The existence of pervasive suffering and moral transgression in the world presents one of philosophy's most enduring and challenging dilemmas: The Problem of Evil. How can a perfectly benevolent, omniscient, and omnipotent...
The Enduring Conundrum: Unpacking the Problem of Sin and Desire Summary: The problem of sin and desire lies at the heart of much philosophical and theological inquiry, representing a fundamental tension in the human condition. From antiquity to the medieval era, thinkers grappled with how our inherent desires, often perceived...
The Enduring Riddle: Unpacking the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of good and evil is perhaps the most profound and persistent problem that has vexed humanity throughout history. Why do we suffer? Why do people commit atrocities, while others display incredible compassion? If there is...
The Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): An Enduring Planksip Inquiry The existence of suffering, injustice, and moral failing in a world purportedly created and sustained by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God represents arguably the most profound and persistent challenge to theological belief. This isn't merely an academic...
Unraveling the Gordian Knot: The Cause of Sin and Moral Error Why do we falter? Why, despite our capacity for reason and our often-clear understanding of what is good, do we so frequently stumble into moral error and commit acts we later regret, which we term sin? This is a...
The Inexorable Link: Desire as the Genesis of Sin In the grand tapestry of philosophical and theological thought, woven through the very fabric of the Great Books of the Western World, few concepts are as persistently explored as the intricate relationship between human desire and the phenomenon of sin. This...
The Enduring Quest: Understanding Good and Evil in Moral Systems The concepts of Good and Evil are not merely abstract philosophical constructs; they are the very bedrock upon which human societies, laws, and personal choices are built. From the earliest myths to the most intricate ethical treatises, humanity has grappled...
The Concept of Sin and Moral Judgment: An Enduring Philosophical Inquiry The concepts of sin and moral judgment stand as foundational pillars in understanding human morality, ethics, and our very conception of Good and Evil. From ancient mythologies to contemporary secular ethics, the question of what constitutes a transgression, who...
The Chains of Conscience: Examining the Ethics of Slavery and Human Labor The question of whether one human being can justly own or exploit the labor of another is among the most ancient and profound ethical dilemmas. This article delves into the philosophical and theological arguments surrounding slavery and labor,...
The Enduring Quandary: Unpacking The Problem of Sin and Will The human condition, a tapestry woven with threads of aspiration and lamentable failing, presents no more profound a philosophical knot than The Problem of Sin and Will. This inquiry delves into the very essence of human agency, the nature of...
Unraveling the Intricate Tapestry: The Distinction Between Good and Evil Summary: The distinction between good and evil, a foundational inquiry in philosophy, explores how humanity defines, perceives, and grapples with moral judgments. Far from a simple dichotomy, this distinction has been shaped by millennia of thought, encompassing diverse perspectives from...
The Labyrinth of the Soul: Unraveling the Connection Between Sin and Desire Summary: This article explores the profound and often complex connection between desire and sin, revealing how the former, an intrinsic aspect of human nature, can become the pathway to the latter. Drawing upon the rich tapestry of thought...
The Ethical Dilemma of Lying: Truth, Sin, and the Human Condition A Journey Through Deception's Moral Landscape Lying, in its simplest form, is the intentional act of conveying false information. Yet, its implications stretch far beyond mere inaccuracy, delving into the very fabric of our moral and social...
The Theological Concept of Sin and Punishment: An Exploration of Divine Justice Unpacking the Foundations of Morality and Consequence The theological concepts of sin and punishment stand as pillars within many religious traditions, particularly those rooted in Abrahamic faiths. At its core, theology posits sin as an act of transgression...
The Enduring Shadow: Navigating the Problem of Evil (and Sin) in Our World The existence of suffering, injustice, and moral transgression in a world purportedly governed by a benevolent and all-powerful deity presents one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing challenges: The Problem of Evil. This article delves...
The Enduring Problem of Sin and Desire: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is perpetually caught in a profound tension, a philosophical Gordian knot that has occupied the greatest minds across millennia: the Problem of Sin and Desire. At its core, this is a fundamental inquiry into the nature of...
The Enduring Paradox: Grappling with the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The existence of both profound goodness and pervasive evil within our shared world is arguably the most ancient and persistent philosophical problem humanity faces. From the innocent suffering of a child to the calculated cruelty of...
The Theological Problem of Evil: Wrestling with Sin in a World Made by God The existence of evil has long been the most formidable intellectual challenge to belief in an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God. This is the essence of the "problem of evil." But when we narrow...
The Labyrinth of Wrongdoing: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Error The human condition is perpetually shadowed by the spectre of wrongdoing. From the petty transgression to the heinous crime, sin and moral error punctuate our histories, personal and collective. But what lies at the heart of this deviation?...
Desire as the Cause of Sin: An Inquiry into the Human Condition Summary: This article explores the profound philosophical assertion that desire, when unchecked or misdirected, serves as the fundamental cause of sin. Drawing upon the rich tapestry of the Great Books of the Western World, we delve into how...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing 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, and ultimately, what it means to live a meaningful life. From ancient Greek philosophers pondering human...
The Labyrinth of Conscience: Exploring Sin and Moral Judgment The concepts of sin and moral judgment stand as colossal pillars in the edifice of human thought, profoundly shaping our understanding of ourselves, our societies, and our place in the cosmos. From the earliest myths to the most intricate philosophical treatises,...
The Enduring Ethical Quagmire: Slavery, Labor, and the Human Condition Summary: This article delves into the profound ethical complexities surrounding slavery and human labor, tracing philosophical and theological perspectives from antiquity to the modern era. Drawing upon the rich tapestry of the Great Books of the Western World, we explore...
The Perplexing Intersections of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The human experience is perpetually shadowed by a profound philosophical problem: why do we, as rational beings, often choose paths we know to be detrimental, or commit acts we deem evil? This is the core of "The Problem of...
The Enduring Enigma: Unpacking the Distinction Between Good and Evil The concepts of good and evil stand as fundamental pillars of human thought, shaping our ethics, laws, religions, and personal moral compasses. This article delves into the profound distinction between these two opposing forces, exploring their historical definition, the philosophical...
The Entangled Roots: Exploring the Connection Between Sin and Desire Summary: The intricate connection between sin and desire has been a cornerstone of philosophical and theological inquiry for millennia. Far from being a simple cause-and-effect relationship, this connection reveals a profound interplay wherein desire, a fundamental human drive towards perceived...
The Enduring Conundrum: Grappling with the Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The Problem of Evil stands as one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing questions, challenging the traditional conception of an omnipotent, omniscient, and perfectly benevolent God in the face of widespread suffering and moral transgression...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The world, as we experience it, is a tapestry woven with threads of both breathtaking beauty and profound suffering. From acts of selfless compassion to deeds of unspeakable cruelty, the human condition is perpetually confronted by the...
The Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): Wrestling with God, Good, and Human Folly The existence of suffering and moral transgression has long been a profound challenge to faith, perplexing theologians and philosophers alike. How can a benevolent, all-powerful God exist in a world rife with evil? While natural disasters and...
The Labyrinth of Error: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Missteps By Daniel Fletcher The question of why we stray from the path of good, why we commit sin or fall into moral error, has haunted philosophers and theologians for millennia. It is a question that probes the very...
Desire as the Cause of Sin: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Human Condition Summary: The profound question of sin's origins has long preoccupied the greatest minds in Western thought. While often attributed to external forces or inherent corruption, a persistent philosophical thread, woven through the Great Books of...
The concepts of Good and Evil form the fundamental bedrock of all moral systems, yet their definitions remain profoundly elusive and endlessly debated across civilizations and epochs. From ancient Greek inquiries into the nature of Virtue and Vice to theological doctrines of Sin and modern ethical frameworks centered on Duty,...
The Concept of Sin and Moral Judgment: A Philosophical Inquiry The concepts of sin and moral judgment stand as cornerstones of human civilization, shaping our understanding of right and wrong, guiding our actions, and forming the bedrock of legal and ethical systems. Far from being confined to the realm of...