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 Influence of Habit on Moral Virtue Moral virtue, that elusive yet essential quality of character, is not merely a matter of lofty ideals or abstract principles. It is, profoundly and practically, a product of our daily actions, shaped and solidified by the power of habit. From the wisdom of...
Justice as the Virtue of the State: A Quest for Collective Excellence Justice, far from being a mere abstract ideal, stands as the foundational virtue of any well-ordered State. From ancient Athens to contemporary democracies, philosophers have grappled with the notion that a state's true excellence—its virtue—...
The Shadow of Power: Unpacking Tyranny and the Abuse of Government The specter of tyranny has haunted political thought since antiquity, representing the ultimate perversion of governance. At its core, tyranny is not merely bad rule, but a systemic abuse of power where the interests of the ruler supersede the...
The Virtue of Temperance in Political Leadership Summary: In the complex and often tumultuous arena of political leadership, the ancient virtue of temperance stands as a cornerstone for stability, integrity, and effective governance. Far from mere abstinence, temperance, as understood by the great philosophers, is a profound form of self-mastery...
