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 in Political Leadership A Foundation for Enduring Governance In the complex theatre of government, where power can corrupt and ambition can blind, few qualities are as vital for effective and just leadership as the virtue of temperance. Far from mere abstinence or asceticism, temperance in the...
The Ethical Duty of Temperance: Navigating the Appetites with Reason Summary: Temperance, often misunderstood as mere abstinence, stands as a fundamental ethical duty and a cardinal virtue in Western philosophy. It is the rational control and harmonious balance of our natural appetites and desires, ensuring they serve our higher reason...
The Enduring Idea of Temperance in Politics In an age often characterized by stark divisions and passionate extremes, the ancient idea of temperance might seem an anachronism. Yet, a deeper examination reveals its profound and enduring relevance, particularly within the sphere of government. Far from being a mere personal virtue...
The Virtue of Temperance Over Desire We stand at a crossroads in the human experience, perpetually navigating the currents of our inner world. Among the most potent forces we encounter are our desires—for pleasure, comfort, recognition, and countless other satisfactions. Yet, a life dictated solely by these impulses often...
The Measured Life: Temperance as the Foundation of Health The pursuit of a healthy life often leads us down paths of diet, exercise, and medical intervention. Yet, long before modern medicine provided us with sophisticated diagnoses and treatments, ancient philosophers understood that true health stemmed from a deeper, more fundamental...
The Virtue of Temperance in Political Leadership A Foundation for Sound Governance In an era often characterized by impulsive decisions and the relentless pursuit of power, the classical virtue of temperance offers a vital counterpoint, proving itself not merely a personal attribute but a cornerstone of effective and ethical political...
The Balanced Life: Temperance as the Foundation of Health Summary: In an age of excess, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound, yet often overlooked, path to holistic health. Drawing from the wisdom embedded in the Great Books of the Western World, this article explores temperance not merely as...
The Ethics of Temperance and Desire: Navigating the Inner Landscape In the intricate tapestry of human experience, the interplay between our desires and our capacity for self-control, known as temperance, stands as a cornerstone of ethical living. This article explores how philosophers from the Great Books of the Western World...
The Cultivation of Self: Temperance as the Foundation for a Flourishing Life In an age often characterized by instant gratification and the relentless pursuit of fleeting pleasures, the ancient virtue of temperance might seem an anachronism. Yet, as the great thinkers of the Western tradition have long argued, it is...
The Measured Life: Temperance as the Foundation of Health Summary: In an age of excess and instant gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound, timeless path to well-being. Far more than mere abstinence, temperance is the judicious balance of our desires and appetites, a virtue that directly fosters...
The Measured Life: Temperance as the Foundation of Health In an age often defined by excess and instant gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a powerful, enduring framework for cultivating not just moral character, but also profound physical and mental well-being. This article explores temperance, not merely as an...
The Virtue of Temperance in Political Leadership A Foundation for Sound Governance The pursuit of effective and just government has been a perennial concern for philosophers across millennia. From the ancient Greek city-states to the complex democracies of today, the character of those who lead invariably shapes the destiny of...
The Idea of Temperance in Politics: A Guiding Virtue for Governance Summary: The idea of temperance, often understood simply as moderation, stands as a profound and enduring virtue crucial for effective and just governance. Drawing deeply from the wellsprings of Western philosophy, particularly the Great Books, temperance in politics transcends...
The Measured Soul: Why Temperance Triumphs Over Unbridled Desire Summary: In a world often driven by instant gratification, the ancient virtue of Temperance offers a profound path to a well-ordered and flourishing life. This article explores how temperance, far from being mere denial, represents the rational Will's mastery...
The Measured Life: Temperance as the Foundation of Health Summary: In an age of excess and instant gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound, yet often overlooked, path to holistic well-being. Far from mere abstinence, temperance, as understood by the great philosophers, is the harmonious ordering of desires...
The Virtue of Temperance over Pleasure The pursuit of pleasure is a fundamental human drive, yet history's greatest thinkers have consistently warned against its unbridled indulgence. This article explores temperance not as mere abstinence, but as a profound virtue – a rational mastery over our desires that leads to...
The Ethical Duty of Temperance: A Cornerstone of Flourishing Summary: In an age often characterized by excess and instant gratification, the ancient concept of temperance might seem quaint. However, as we explore the foundational texts of Western thought, it becomes undeniably clear that temperance is not merely a suggestion for...
The Idea of Temperance in Politics: A Timeless Virtue for Good Governance Summary: The idea of temperance, often understood as self-control and moderation, is not merely a personal virtue but a cornerstone for effective and just government. Drawing from the enduring wisdom of the Great Books of the Western World,...
The Guiding Hand: The Role of Prudence in Temperance Summary: This article explores the profound and often underestimated relationship between Prudence and Temperance, arguing that the former is the indispensable intellectual virtue that guides and perfects the latter. Drawing upon the rich tradition of the Great Books of the Western...
The Virtue of Temperance in Wealth Management: A Philosophical Approach to Prosperity In an age often defined by insatiable desire and the relentless pursuit of more, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound and much-needed compass for navigating the complexities of wealth management. Far from advocating for asceticism or...
The Measure of a Life: Temperance Over Pleasure In an age often characterized by the relentless pursuit of immediate gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance might seem like a relic, a stern admonition against joy. Yet, a closer examination reveals that temperance is not about ascetic denial, but about the...