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 Virtue of Temperance and Health: A Timeless Prescription for Well-being Summary: This article explores the classical virtue of temperance, defining it not merely as abstinence but as a balanced moderation in all things, particularly those pertaining to bodily pleasure. Drawing from the wisdom of the Great Books of the...
The Virtue of Temperance in Political Leadership: A Timeless Imperative The clamor of contemporary politics often highlights a stark deficiency in a virtue once considered foundational for sound governance: temperance. Far from mere abstinence, temperance, as understood by the sages of the Great Books of the Western World, is the...
The Ethics of Temperance and Desire: A Balanced Pursuit of the Good Life Summary In the complex tapestry of human experience, desire acts as a powerful engine, driving us towards myriad goals, pleasures, and aspirations. Yet, without a guiding hand, this engine can lead to chaos, excess, and ultimately, unhappiness....
The Guiding Hand: Prudence as the Architect of Temperance Summary: True temperance, far from being mere self-control or rigid abstinence, is a nuanced virtue that requires the astute guidance of prudence. This article explores how prudence, as practical wisdom, discerns the appropriate measure and context for our desires and pleasures,...
The Virtue of Temperance in Wealth Management: A Balanced Approach to Prosperity Temperance, a cornerstone of classical philosophy, offers profound insights into navigating the complexities of wealth. Far from mere abstinence, it is the virtue of self-mastery, a discerning balance that allows individuals to manage their desires and resources wisely....
The Virtue of Temperance over Pleasure Summary: Cultivating a Life of Measured Flourishing In a world constantly beckoning us towards immediate gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound counter-narrative. This article explores how temperance, often misunderstood as mere abstinence, is in fact the intelligent and rational ordering of...
The Unyielding Mandate: Temperance as an Ethical Duty The concept of temperance, often relegated to a mere suggestion for personal prudence, stands, upon deeper philosophical scrutiny, as an ethical duty of profound importance. It is not simply about moderation in consumption or restraint in passion, but rather a foundational virtue...
The Idea of Temperance in Politics: A Timeless Virtue for Good Governance Summary: The Enduring Relevance of Moderation In an age often characterized by extremes, the idea of temperance in politics might seem quaint, yet it remains a cornerstone for stable and just government. Far from mere abstinence, temperance, as...
The Virtue of Temperance Over Desire: A Path to Self-Mastery In the clamor of modern life, where gratification often seems but a click away, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound counter-narrative. Far from a mere ascetic denial, temperance is the judicious mastery of our desires through the disciplined...
The Indispensable Virtue of Temperance for Holistic Health The pursuit of health, often viewed through the narrow lens of modern science, finds a profound and enduring ally in the ancient philosophical virtue of temperance. Far from a mere abstinence, temperance, as understood within the Great Books of the Western World,...
The Delicate Balance: Unpacking the Ethics of Temperance and Desire The human experience is a constant interplay between impulses and restraint, between what we crave and what we know is good. At the heart of this ancient struggle lies the profound philosophical inquiry into temperance and desire. This article explores...
The Guiding Hand: Prudence in Temperance Summary In the pursuit of a well-lived life, temperance stands as a cornerstone virtue, signifying moderation and self-control. Yet, temperance alone, without proper direction, can be blind. It is prudence, often understood as practical wisdom, that acts as the indispensable guide, discerning the right...
The Virtue of Temperance in Wealth Management The pursuit and management of wealth often appear to be purely economic endeavors, driven by market forces, financial strategies, and the relentless logic of profit. Yet, for millennia, philosophers have understood that our relationship with material possessions is fundamentally a moral and ethical...
The Virtue of Temperance Over Pleasure: A Path to Genuine Flourishing In a world constantly tempting us with immediate gratification, the ancient concept of temperance offers a profound and enduring wisdom. This article explores why the disciplined cultivation of temperance is not merely an act of denial, but a vital...
The Enduring Ethical Duty of Temperance Summary: In an age often characterized by excess and instant gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance stands as an often-overlooked yet profoundly important ethical duty. Far from a mere quaint notion of self-denial, temperance, as articulated by the great philosophers of the Western tradition,...
The Idea of Temperance in Politics: A Timeless Virtue for Enduring Government In an era often defined by stark divisions and fervent ideological clashes, the ancient idea of temperance offers a compelling, yet frequently overlooked, framework for understanding and pursuing sound government. Far from mere moderation, temperance, as explored by...
The Measured Soul: Embracing Temperance in a World of Unchecked Desire In a society often driven by instant gratification and the relentless pursuit of more, the ancient virtue of Temperance offers a profound counter-narrative. Far from being a dreary exercise in self-denial, temperance is a dynamic virtue that fosters inner...
The Measured Life: Temperance, Health, and the Wisdom of the Ancients Summary: In an age often defined by excess, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound path to holistic well-being. Far from a restrictive asceticism, temperance is the art of self-mastery and moderation, a critical balance between virtue and...
The Unyielding Moderation: Temperance as the Cornerstone of Political Leadership Summary In the complex and often tumultuous arena of public service, the virtue of temperance stands as an indispensable quality for effective government. Far from mere abstinence, temperance, or sophrosyne as the Greeks understood it, signifies self-mastery, moderation, and balanced...
Navigating the Inner Landscape: The Ethics of Temperance and Desire Summary: This article delves into the profound philosophical interplay between desire and temperance, exploring how the careful management of our appetites is central to ethical living. Drawing insights from the Great Books of the Western World, we examine temperance not...
The Guiding Hand: How Prudence Elevates Temperance from Mere Restraint to True Virtue In the grand tapestry of human flourishing, few threads are as vital and interconnected as Prudence and Temperance. While temperance often conjures images of stern self-denial, true virtue, as the Great Books remind us, is far more...
The Virtue of Temperance in Wealth Management: A Path to Flourishing In an era often defined by acquisition and consumption, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound compass for navigating the complexities of wealth. This pillar page explores how temperance, far from mere austerity, provides a framework for managing...
The Virtue of Temperance Over Pleasure: A Path to Flourishing This article explores temperance not as mere abstinence, but as the wise moderation of our desires for pleasure, drawing insights from the Great Books of the Western World to reveal its profound role in cultivating a virtuous and fulfilling life....
The Ethical Duty of Temperance: A Path to Self-Mastery In an age often characterized by relentless pursuit of immediate gratification, the ancient concept of temperance might seem antiquated, even restrictive. Yet, upon deeper philosophical examination, it reveals itself not as a form of deprivation, but as an indispensable ethical duty—...
The Enduring Idea of Temperance in Politics A Call for Measured Governance in an Unsettled World In an era often defined by extremes and impassioned rhetoric, the ancient idea of temperance might seem quaint, even outmoded. Yet, for those who delve into the enduring wisdom of the Great Books of...
The Virtue of Temperance over Desire: A Path to Inner Harmony Summary: In a world often driven by immediate gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound pathway to inner harmony and a flourishing life. Far from mere abstinence, temperance is the judicious ordering of our desires by reason...
The Enduring Wisdom: Temperance as the Foundation of Health The pursuit of health, a timeless human endeavor, often finds its most profound philosophical grounding in the virtue of temperance. Far from a mere abstention, temperance, as explored by the great thinkers of the Western tradition, is a cardinal virtue – a...
The Virtue of Temperance in Political Leadership By Benjamin Richmond Summary: In the intricate dance of political leadership, where power can corrupt and ambition can blind, the virtue of temperance stands as a crucial bulwark against excess and misjudgment. Far from mere abstinence, temperance is the self-mastery that enables leaders...
The Ethics of Temperance and Desire The human experience is a perpetual dance between our innate desires and our aspirations for ethical living. This article explores how temperance, as a cardinal virtue, serves as the crucial mediator in navigating the complex landscape of desire, preventing its descent into vice and...
The Indispensable Handshake: How Prudence Guides Temperance In the grand tapestry of human character, virtues are the threads that give strength and beauty. Among these, Prudence and Temperance stand as two pillars, often discussed in isolation, yet profoundly interconnected. This article will argue that Prudence, often understood as practical wisdom,...
The Measured Hand: Embracing Temperance in Wealth Management In an age often defined by the relentless pursuit of more, the ancient virtue of temperance might seem an anachronism, particularly when applied to the dynamic world of wealth management. Yet, as we delve into the timeless wisdom of the Great Books...
The Virtue of Temperance over Pleasure Summary: In a world often driven by the pursuit of immediate gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound counter-narrative. This article explores why temperance is not merely about denying ourselves pleasure, but about mastering our desires to achieve a more fulfilling and...
The Ethical Duty of Temperance: A Cornerstone of the Well-Ordered Soul Summary: In an age often characterized by excess and instant gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance stands as an enduring beacon, not merely as a quaint ideal, but as a profound ethical duty. This article explores temperance as more...
In the intricate tapestry of political thought, the idea of temperance emerges not merely as a personal virtue, but as a foundational principle for sound government. Drawing from the wisdom of the Great Books of the Western World, this article explores how temperance—the moderation of desires and passions—is...