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: Embracing the Virtue of Temperance Over Unbridled Desire Summary: In an age often defined by instant gratification and the relentless pursuit of more, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound counter-narrative. This article explores how temperance, far from being mere abstinence, represents the rational ordering of...
The Unseen Hand: Exploring the Concept of God's Will in Philosophy and Theology A Guiding Principle or an Inscrutable Mystery? The concept of God's Will stands as a monumental pillar within the vast intellectual edifice of philosophy and theology. Far from a simple, monolithic idea, it...
The Ethics of Desire: Navigating the Labyrinth of Human Want Summary The ethics of desire stands as a foundational and enduring challenge in philosophy, exploring the intricate relationship between our innate wants and our moral duties. From ancient Greek inquiries into the soul's appetites to modern examinations of...
The Unpredictable Tapestry: Chance, Fate, and Will in Human Affairs Summary The concept of chance has long confounded philosophers, historians, and ordinary individuals alike, serving as a profound lens through which we attempt to understand the unpredictable unfolding of human experience. From the seemingly random flickers of daily life to...
The Labyrinth of Our Own Making: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Error This article explores the enduring philosophical question of the cause of sin and moral error, moving beyond simplistic explanations to delve into the intricate workings of human will, reason, and duty. Drawing upon seminal ideas from...
The Interplay of Desire and Will in Choice: Navigating the Inner Compass The interplay of desire and will forms the very core of human choice, a dynamic tension explored by philosophers for millennia. While desire represents our fundamental inclinations, urges, and appetites, will embodies the rational faculty to deliberate, choose,...
The Primal Spark: Desire as the Cause of Sin A Summary of the Human Predicament From the earliest philosophical inquiries to the profound theological treatises of the Christian era, a recurring theme emerges: desire, in its unchecked or misdirected form, often stands as the fundamental cause of sin. This article...
As a philosopher, I've always been captivated by the intricate forces that propel human existence. Among these, desire stands as perhaps the most fundamental, a pulsating current beneath the surface of every thought and deed. This article delves into how desire serves as the primary engine of human...
The Double-Edged Blade: Navigating Desire on the Path to Virtue and Vice Summary Desire, often seen as a primal force, plays a pivotal role in shaping human character. Far from being merely a destructive impulse, it is an indispensable component of both virtue and vice. This article explores how our...
The Entanglement of Existence: Unpacking the Problem of Fate and Necessity The human experience is profoundly shaped by a persistent, often unsettling question: Are we truly free, or are our lives merely playing out a script written by forces beyond our control? This is the essence of The Problem of...
The Problem of Sin and Will: A Philosophical Inquiry The human condition is perpetually entangled in a profound paradox: our inherent capacity for reasoned choice, or will, frequently leads us to actions we ourselves deem sinful or evil. This isn't merely a theological conundrum; it is a foundational...
The Unseen Architect: Unpacking the Role of Desire in Human Action Desire, in its myriad forms, stands as the primal engine of human action, a force whose role has captivated philosophers for millennia. From the rawest appetites to the loftiest aspirations, desire shapes the very essence of man, dictating our...
The Connection between Sin and Desire is one of philosophy's most enduring and complex inquiries, traversing millennia of thought from ancient Greece to modern ethics. At its core, this connection posits that many actions we deem sinful arise from desires that are either misdirected, uncontrolled, or inherently disordered,...
The Unseen Architect of Virtue: The Role of Will in Moral Action (Duty) The human capacity for moral action, for distinguishing between Good and Evil, doesn't merely reside in our intentions or the consequences of our deeds. At its very core, it is the Role of the Will...
The Measured Path: Embracing the Virtue of Temperance over Unchecked Desire Summary: In a world often driven by instant gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound counter-narrative. Far from being mere asceticism, temperance is the rational mastery of desire by the will, transforming potentially destructive appetites into forces...
The Philosophical Crucible: Forging an Ethics of Desire Summary: Navigating Our Deepest Impulses At the heart of human experience lies desire—a powerful, often unruly force that propels us forward, shapes our choices, and defines our very existence. Yet, the unbridled pursuit of desire can lead to chaos, conflict, and...
Unraveling the Enigma: The Cause of Sin and Moral Error A Direct Inquiry into Our Moral Failings The question of why we err, why we commit what we call sin, has haunted humanity since the dawn of self-awareness. It is not merely an academic exercise but a deeply personal and...
Desire as the Cause of Sin: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Human Predicament Summary: This article explores the profound philosophical assertion that desire, when unchecked or misdirected, serves as a fundamental cause of sin. Drawing upon the wisdom of the Great Books of the Western World, we delve into how...
