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 Unseen Hand: How Desire Motivates Human Action Human existence is a tapestry woven with countless threads of action, each pulled by an underlying force: desire. From the simplest impulse to the grandest aspiration, it is desire that ignites the will and sets the mind in motion. This article explores...
The Enduring Dance: Unraveling the Relationship Between Fate and Will Summary: The age-old philosophical tension between fate and will lies at the heart of human experience, probing the extent to which our lives are predetermined versus how much agency we truly possess. This article delves into the complex relation between...
The Unseen Current: Unpacking the Universal Principle of Desire At the heart of every action, every choice, and every aspiration lies a fundamental force: desire. Far from being a mere fleeting emotion, the Universal Principle of Desire posits that all living beings are driven by an intrinsic longing for some...
The Will: The Unseen Architect of Our Actions The philosophical concept of will is a cornerstone of human agency, morality, and self-understanding. It refers to the faculty of mind that initiates action, makes choices, and directs desire towards specific ends. Throughout philosophy, thinkers have grappled with its nature, its freedom,...
The Concept of God's Will and Cause: A Philosophical Inquiry The concepts of God's will and God as a cause are not merely theological doctrines; they represent foundational pillars upon which much of Western philosophy has been constructed, debated, and redefined. From the ancient Greeks grappling...
The Unsung Virtue: Prudence and the Art of Sound Decision Making Life, in its ceaseless flow, presents us with an unending series of choices, from the mundane to the momentous. How we navigate these junctures determines not only the trajectory of our individual lives but also the quality of our...
Navigating the Unseen Hand: Chance, Will, and the Fabric of Human Affairs Summary: This article delves into the profound and often perplexing concept of Chance in human existence, exploring its interplay with Fate, the assertion of human Will, and its indelible mark on History. From ancient philosophical inquiries to modern...
The Labyrinth of the Soul: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Error The human condition is perpetually vexed by a profound paradox: we often know what is right, what is good, what our duty demands, yet we frequently falter, committing acts of sin or falling into moral error. This...
The Inextricable Link: Sin, Desire, and the Human Will At the heart of much philosophical and theological inquiry lies a profound connection between our deepest desires and the concept of sin. This article explores how our inclinations, when misdirected or unchecked, can lead us astray, examining the pivotal role of...
The Theological Problem of Fate and Free Will: Navigating the Divine Dance Summary: The theological problem of fate and free will grapples with one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing questions: How can human beings possess genuine free will and moral responsibility if an omniscient, omnipotent God has...
The Unfolding Drama: Navigating the Relationship Between Fate and Will A Perennial Philosophical Puzzle At the heart of the human experience lies a profound tension: are our lives predetermined by an inescapable fate, or are we the architects of our own destiny through the power of will? This isn'...
The Unseen Current: Exploring the Universal Principle of Desire At the heart of every action, every aspiration, and every human endeavor lies a fundamental force: desire. It is a concept so pervasive, yet so often misunderstood, that its true significance can easily be overlooked. This article delves into what we...
The Enduring Problem of Fate and Necessity: A Philosophical Inquiry The human experience is a peculiar blend of choice and constraint. We plan, we strive, we decide – yet often, we encounter forces seemingly beyond our will, leading us to question: are we truly free agents, or are our lives merely...
The Enduring Conundrum: The Problem of Sin and Will The human condition, in its most profound philosophical sense, is often defined by a central, vexing question: Why do we do what we know is wrong? This isn't merely a matter of occasional lapse, but a pervasive problem that...
The Unseen Hand: Unpacking the Role of Desire in Human Action Summary: Desire stands as an undeniable, often primary, force in the intricate tapestry of human action. From the pursuit of the most basic needs to the loftiest aspirations of the spirit, desire serves as the fundamental impetus, shaping the...
The Inextricable Link: Exploring the Connection Between Sin and Desire From ancient philosophical dialogues to the towering theological treatises of the medieval period, a profound connection has been consistently observed between human desire and the concept of sin. This article delves into how philosophers and theologians across the Western tradition...
The Unseen Current: Understanding the Universal Principle of Desire Summary: At the core of human and, arguably, all animate existence lies a fundamental drive: desire. This article explores the concept of a Universal Principle of Desire, arguing that while our specific wants are particular, the underlying impulse to strive, to...
The Indispensable Architect: The Role of Will in Moral Action (Duty) The intricate dance between our inner convictions and our outward actions forms the very fabric of morality. At the heart of this dance lies the will — that enigmatic faculty of choice and intention, whose role in moral action, particularly...
