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: Confronting the Problem of Good and Evil in Our World The question of good and evil is perhaps the most ancient and persistent problem humanity faces. Why does suffering exist? Why do individuals and societies commit acts of profound cruelty, even as others strive for benevolence and...
The Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): A Planksip Exploration The existence of evil in a world ostensibly created and sustained by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God represents one of the most profound and enduring paradoxes in Theology and philosophy. For centuries, thinkers have grappled with this tension, seeking to...
The Labyrinth of Transgression: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Error Summary: The persistent question of why humans err, commit sin, or make moral mistakes has plagued philosophers for millennia. From the intellectual failings posited by ancient Greeks to the profound perversity of the will articulated by Augustine, and...
The Serpent in the Soul: How Desire Becomes the Seed of Sin By Henry Montgomery Summary: This article explores the philosophical argument that desire serves as the fundamental cause of sin, examining how the human will navigates or succumbs to these powerful urges, drawing insights from the Great Books of...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing 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 consciences are built. From ancient mythologies to modern ethical debates, humanity has grappled with defining what...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing Sin and Moral Judgment The concepts of sin and moral judgment lie at the very heart of human experience, shaping our societies, guiding our ethics, and defining our understanding of good and evil. Far from being mere relics of religious dogma, these ideas continue to resonate...
The Enduring Stain: A Philosophical Examination of Slavery and Human Labor A Summary of Our Inquiry From the earliest recorded civilizations to the present day, humanity has grappled with the complex and often brutal realities of slavery and forced labor. This article delves into the philosophical justifications and condemnations of...
The Problem of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is perpetually vexed by the tension between our aspirations for goodness and our undeniable propensity to err. At the heart of this enduring struggle lies the problem of sin and will, a philosophical conundrum that has captivated thinkers...
Unveiling the Chasm: The Enduring Distinction Between Good and Evil The very fabric of human experience is woven with threads of right and wrong, virtue and vice. For millennia, philosophers, theologians, and thinkers across civilizations have grappled with the profound task of drawing a clear distinction between Good and Evil....
The Tangled Threads: Unraveling the Connection Between Sin and Desire The human experience is a perpetual negotiation between our inner impulses and our moral compass. At the heart of this negotiation lies a profound and often troubling connection between what we desire and what we identify as sin. This article...
The Ethical Labyrinth of Lying: Navigating Truth and Sin A Journey into Deception's Moral Landscape Lying, at its core, is a deliberate deviation from the truth. Yet, its ethical implications are anything but straightforward. From ancient moral codes to modern philosophical debates, the act of deception has consistently...
Divine Scales: Exploring the Theological Concept of Sin and Punishment The concepts of sin and punishment are cornerstones of theology, profoundly shaping our understanding of morality, human nature, and the very character of the divine. Far from being simplistic notions, they represent a complex interplay of transgression, consequence, and the...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering, injustice, and moral depravity in a world often understood as the creation of a supremely good, all-powerful, and all-knowing God presents one of philosophy's most persistent and vexing challenges: The Problem of Evil...
The Problem of Sin and Desire The human condition is perpetually entangled in the complex interplay of sin and desire. At its core, this is a philosophical problem that probes the very essence of human agency, morality, and our pursuit of the good amidst the temptations of evil. This article...
The Enduring Enigma: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in Our World The problem of Good and Evil is arguably humanity's most persistent and profound philosophical and existential challenge. It probes the very nature of our world, our actions, and our understanding of justice, suffering, and moral...
The Shadow of Disobedience: Unpacking the Theological Problem of Evil (Sin) The existence of suffering and moral depravity in a world supposedly created and sustained by an all-good, all-powerful God represents one of Theology's most enduring and perplexing dilemmas. This is the heart of the "Problem of...
The cause of sin and moral error is a question that has vexed philosophers and theologians for millennia, a profound inquiry into the very nature of human agency and responsibility. Far from a simple answer, the great minds of Western thought, from Plato to Kant, have explored the intricate interplay...
The Genesis of Transgression: Unpacking Desire as the Root Cause of Sin By Henry Montgomery Summary: This article delves into the profound philosophical assertion, deeply rooted in the traditions of the Great Books of the Western World, that desire, when unchecked or misdirected by the will, stands as the primary...
The Enduring Dance: Unraveling Good and Evil in Moral Systems The concepts of Good and Evil stand as the bedrock upon which all moral systems are built, yet their definitions remain as elusive and contested today as they were in the ancient world. From the pursuit of flourishing to the...
The Concept of Sin and Moral Judgment: A Philosophical Inquiry The concepts of sin and moral judgment lie at the very heart of human civilization, shaping our laws, our religions, and our personal consciences. Far from being mere relics of ancient dogma, they represent profound attempts to grapple with the...
The Ethics of Slavery and Human Labor: A Philosophical Inquiry Summary: This article delves into the profound philosophical and ethical questions surrounding slavery and human labor, tracing their historical justifications and condemnations through the lens of Western thought. We will explore how ancient thinkers grappled with concepts of servitude, the...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Sin and Will The human experience is perpetually shadowed by a profound inquiry into our moral failings and the agency behind them. At the heart of this philosophical quest lies The Problem of Sin and Will – a complex interplay between our capacity for deliberate...
Navigating the Moral Compass: The Enduring Distinction Between Good and Evil The human experience is inextricably woven with the concepts of good and evil. From ancient myths to modern ethics, philosophers, theologians, and thinkers across millennia have grappled with the profound distinction between these two opposing forces. This article explores...
The Intricate Dance: Unveiling the Connection Between Sin and Desire A Philosophical Journey into the Labyrinth of Human Choice The human condition is a tapestry woven with threads of longing, aspiration, and often, profound moral struggle. At the heart of this struggle lies a persistent philosophical inquiry: the connection between...
The Ethical Dilemma of Lying: A Journey Through Truth and Sin Summary: The act of lying, seemingly simple, unravels into one of philosophy's most profound and enduring ethical dilemmas. From ancient Greek inquiries into truth and civic virtue to the rigorous moral codes of Christian theology condemning sin,...
The Theological Concept of Sin and Punishment By Chloe Fitzgerald Summary: At the core of many religious traditions lies the profound interconnectedness of sin and punishment – concepts that define humanity's relationship with the divine. This article delves into the theological understanding of sin as a transgression against divine...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Evil (Sin) in the World The existence of suffering, malevolence, and moral failings in a World purportedly governed by a benevolent and omnipotent power presents one of philosophy and theology's most profound and persistent challenges: The Problem of Evil (Sin). This article...
The Enduring Problem of Sin and Desire: A Philosophical Inquiry This article explores the profound philosophical problem of sin and desire, a perennial tension within human experience that has captivated thinkers for millennia. We will delve into how philosophers from the Great Books of the Western World have grappled with...
The Enduring Conundrum: Navigating the Problem of Good and Evil in the World The problem of good and evil is perhaps the most ancient and persistent philosophical and theological challenge humanity faces. How do we reconcile the undeniable presence of suffering, injustice, and malevolence in the world with our innate...
The Theological Problem of Evil (Sin): An Enduring Conundrum The existence of evil in a world supposedly governed by an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good God presents one of philosophy's most profound and enduring intellectual challenges. Often termed "the problem of evil," this dilemma lies at the...
The Unraveling of Guilt: Tracing the Cause of Sin and Moral Error Summary: The question of why humans commit sin and moral error is one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing inquiries. From ancient Greek notions of ignorance and weakness of will to medieval theological concepts of pride...
The Insidious Genesis: How Desire Forges the Chains of Sin Summary: Across the venerable pages of the Great Books of the Western World, a recurring and profound insight emerges: Desire, in its various manifestations, stands as the fundamental cause of sin. This article will explore how philosophical traditions, from ancient...
The Enduring Enigma: Deconstructing Good and Evil in Moral Systems Summary The concepts of Good and Evil stand as the foundational pillars of nearly every moral system, yet their definitions remain elusive and profoundly contested across philosophical traditions. This article delves into the historical and conceptual journey of these fundamental...
The Enduring Enigma of Sin and Moral Judgment: A Philosophical Inquiry The concepts of sin and moral judgment stand as towering pillars in the architecture of human thought, profoundly shaping our understanding of ourselves, our societies, and our place in the cosmos. From ancient myths to contemporary ethical dilemmas, these...