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 Measured Life: Cultivating the Virtue of Temperance Over Unbridled Desire Summary In a world constantly tempting us with immediate gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound path to genuine freedom and flourishing. This article explores temperance not as mere abstinence, but as the wise regulation of our...
Unraveling the Divine Blueprint: The Enduring Concept of God's Will The concept of God's Will stands as a monumental pillar in the architecture of philosophy and theology, shaping our understanding of creation, morality, human freedom, and the very nature of existence. Far from a monolithic idea,...
The Unseen Tug-of-War: Desire, Will, and the Architecture of Choice In the grand tapestry of human experience, few dynamics are as central and as perennially debated as the intricate interplay between desire and will. Every choice we make, from the mundane to the monumental, is a subtle (or not-so-subtle) negotiation...
The assertion that desire acts as the fundamental cause of sin is a profound and enduring theme woven throughout the fabric of Western philosophy, particularly evident in the Great Books of the Western World. From ancient Greek wisdom to patristic theology and medieval scholasticism, thinkers have grappled with how our...
The Indelible Mark: Desire's Role in Human Action From the moment of our first breath, desire propels us. It is the fundamental engine of human action, an irresistible force that shapes our choices, drives our pursuits, and ultimately defines the trajectory of every man's life. This...
The Labyrinthine Interplay: Deconstructing the Concept of God's Will and Cause The Concept of God's Will and Cause stands as one of the most enduring and complex pillars of philosophical and theological inquiry. From the ancient cosmologies to modern existential dilemmas, thinkers have grappled with understanding...
The Labyrinthine Concept of God's Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The concept of God's Will stands as one of the most profound and enduring subjects within philosophy and theology. It is a notion that has shaped civilizations, inspired profound acts of faith, and fueled centuries of rigorous...
The Ethics of Desire: A Perennial Inquiry into Human Motivation From the primal stirrings of our deepest needs to the loftiest aspirations of the spirit, desire stands as a fundamental engine of human experience. But what, precisely, is the moral compass guiding this powerful force? This article delves into "...
Unraveling the Labyrinth: The Philosophical Causes of Sin and Moral Error We, as thinking beings, often find ourselves grappling with a fundamental question: why do we err? Why do we, despite our capacity for reason and our innate longing for what is good, frequently succumb to sin and moral transgression?...
The Inescapable Link: Desire as the Genesis of Sin From the earliest philosophical inquiries to the profound theological treatises, the vexing question of sin has consistently found its roots in the labyrinthine corridors of human desire. Across the vast intellectual landscape of the Great Books of the Western World, desire...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Navigating Fate, Free Will, Necessity, and Contingency A Perennial Philosophical Duel The age-old debate between Fate and Free Will cuts to the very core of what it means to be human. Are our lives meticulously scripted, every event predetermined by an unyielding Necessity, or do we possess...
The Unseen Hand: The Role of Desire in Virtue and Vice Desire, often viewed with suspicion or as a mere biological imperative, plays an absolutely foundational role in the development of both virtue and vice. It is not an inherently moral force, but rather a powerful engine that, when directed...
The connection between sin and desire stands as one of the most enduring and complex inquiries within the annals of Western philosophy. At its core, this relationship explores how our deepest human longings, whether for pleasure, power, knowledge, or even love, can become the very pathways that lead us away...
Caught Between the Divine Blueprint and Human Choice: The Theological Problem of Fate and Free Will Summary: Navigating the Divine Paradox The theological problem of fate and free will grapples with one of philosophy's most profound and enduring paradoxes: how can human beings possess genuine free will and...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Navigating the Relationship Between Fate and Will The human experience is a perpetual negotiation between what seems predetermined and what feels freely chosen. From ancient epics to modern philosophical treatises, the relation between Fate and Will stands as one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing...
The Unseen Current: Exploring the Universal Principle of Desire At the heart of human experience, beneath the myriad choices and aspirations that define our individual lives, lies a profound and often overlooked force: the universal principle of desire. This isn't merely about wanting a new car or a...
The Unfolding Tapestry: Deconstructing the Concept of God's Will and Cause Summary: The concept of God's will and God's cause stands as a towering edifice within Western philosophy and theology, shaping our understanding of existence, morality, and destiny. This pillar page delves into the...
