Will

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.

715 posts

The Role of Desire in Virtue and Vice and Role

by Henry Montgomery in Role

The Enduring Role of Desire in Cultivating Virtue and Vice A Philosophical Compass: Navigating the Impulses of the Soul The human experience is inextricably bound to desire. Far from being a mere biological imperative, desire stands as a fundamental force, a potent engine driving our actions, choices, and ultimately, shaping...

The Problem of Fate and Necessity and Problem

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Problem

The Problem of Fate and Necessity: Navigating Freedom in a Determined Universe The problem of fate and necessity is one of philosophy's most enduring and perplexing questions: Are our choices truly free, or are they predetermined by an inescapable chain of causes, divine decree, or the very laws...

The Problem of Sin and Will and Problem

by Henry Montgomery in Problem

The Enduring Conundrum: Unpacking the Problem of Sin and Will The human condition is a tapestry woven with threads of aspiration and transgression, reason and desire. At its very core lies a profound philosophical and theological problem: the intricate relationship between sin and will. Why do we, often knowing what...

The Role of Desire in Human Action and Role

by Henry Montgomery in Role

The Unseen Architect: Unpacking the Role of Desire in Human Action Summary: At the very heart of what compels man to act lies desire. Far from being a mere fleeting impulse, desire serves as the fundamental engine of human behavior, shaping our choices, driving our pursuits, and ultimately defining the...

The Connection Between Sin and Desire and Connection

by Daniel Fletcher in Connection

The Unbreakable Thread: Deconstructing the Connection Between Sin and Desire In the intricate tapestry of human experience, few threads are as tightly woven as the Connection between Sin and Desire. From ancient Greek philosophy to the theological insights of the Middle Ages and the ethical frameworks of modernity, thinkers have...

The Theological Problem of Fate and Free Will and Theology

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Theology

The Theological Problem of Fate and Free Will: A Divine Conundrum Summary: The theological problem of fate and free will grapples with one of humanity's most enduring and profound questions: How can divine omniscience and omnipotence coexist with genuine human freedom? This intricate dilemma, explored extensively within Theology...

The Relationship Between Fate and Will and Relation

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Relation

The Cosmic Tapestry: Unraveling the Relationship Between Fate and Will The human condition is perpetually poised on a precipice, gazing into the vast unknown of the future. Are our steps preordained, meticulously etched into the bedrock of existence, or are we the architects of our own destiny, charting courses with...

The Philosophical Concept of Will and Philosophy

by Daniel Fletcher in Philosophy

The Unseen Architect: Delving into the Philosophical Concept of Will The concept of Will stands as one of the most profound and perennially debated subjects in philosophy. Far from a simple notion, it represents our capacity for choice, action, and self-determination, intricately woven into the fabric of the mind and...

The Concept of God's Will and Cause and Concept

by Daniel Sanderson in Concept

The Concept of God's Will and Cause: A Philosophical Journey The human mind has long grappled with the profound concept of a divine architect, an ultimate source of all existence and purpose. At the heart of this inquiry lie two interwoven notions: God's Will and God&...

The Role of Will in Moral Action (Duty) and Role

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Role

The will is not merely an abstract concept; it is the very engine of our moral lives, the crucible in which duty is forged, and the ultimate determinant of our ethical trajectory. This article delves into the profound role the will plays in moral action, examining how philosophers throughout the...

The Role of Prudence in Decision Making and Prudence

by Daniel Sanderson in Prudence

The Guiding Hand: The Enduring Role of Prudence in Decision Making In the relentless current of daily existence, we are constantly confronted with choices, large and small. From the mundane to the monumental, our lives are shaped by the decisions we make. But how do we navigate this labyrinth of...

The Virtue of Temperance over Desire and Temperance

by Daniel Sanderson in Temperance

The Virtue of Temperance over Desire: A Path to Inner Harmony Summary: In a world often driven by immediate gratification, the ancient virtue of temperance offers a profound pathway to inner harmony and a flourishing life. Far from mere abstinence, temperance is the judicious ordering of our desires by reason...

The Concept of God's Will and God

by Henry Montgomery in God

The Unfolding Tapestry: Exploring the Profound Concept of God's Will The concept of God's Will stands as one of the most profound and perennially debated subjects within theology and philosophy. It grapples with fundamental questions about divine agency, human freedom, the nature of reality, and the...

The Ethics of The Ethics of Desire

by Henry Montgomery in Ethics

The Ethics of Desire: A Philosophical Inquiry From the dawn of philosophical thought, humanity has grappled with the intricate relationship between desire and ethics. Is desire an inherent flaw, pulling us away from virtue, or a fundamental driving force, essential for the pursuit of the good? This exploration delves into...

The Concept of Chance in Human Affairs and Chance

by Emily Fletcher in Chance

Navigating the Unforeseen: The Enduring Question of Chance in Human Affairs The tapestry of human existence, both individual and collective, often appears woven from threads of intention, consequence, and profound mystery. At the heart of this mystery lies the concept of chance – an elusive force that shapes destinies, alters the...

The Cause of Sin and Moral Error and Sin

by Daniel Fletcher in Sin

The Labyrinth of Error: Unpacking the Cause of Sin and Moral Transgression The question of why we err, why we deviate from the path of goodness and reason, is perhaps one of philosophy's most enduring and vexing inquiries. From the earliest Socratic dialogues to the profound theological treatises...

The Interplay of Desire and Will in Choice and Desire

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Desire

The Interplay of Desire and Will in Choice: Navigating the Inner Landscape Summary At the core of every decision we make lies a dynamic tension, a constant dialogue between our desires—our instincts, inclinations, and passions—and our will—our capacity for rational thought, deliberation, and self-control. This article explores...

Desire as the Cause of Sin and Desire

by Henry Montgomery in Desire

The Serpent's Whisper: Examining Desire as the Root of Sin Summary: Across the venerable pages of the Great Books of the Western World, a recurring philosophical and theological insight emerges: desire, in its various forms, stands as the fundamental cause of sin. This article explores how classical and...

The Will to Power and Human Desire and Will

by Henry Montgomery in Will

The Unfolding of Man: The Will to Power and the Tapestry of Human Desire Unveiling the Primal Drive: A Summary At the core of human existence lies a restless, ceaseless striving – a concept perhaps most powerfully articulated by Friedrich Nietzsche as the "Will to Power," and intimately intertwined...

Fate vs. Free Will: Necessity and Contingency and Fate

by Emily Fletcher in Fate

Fate vs. Free Will: Necessity and Contingency Summary: The timeless philosophical debate pitting Fate against Free Will delves into the very fabric of existence, questioning whether our lives are predetermined by an inescapable Necessity or shaped by our autonomous choices, embodying Contingency. This article explores the historical roots of this...

How Desire Motivates Human Action and Desire

by Daniel Sanderson in Desire

The Primal Spark: How Desire Propels Human Action From the simplest urge to slake a thirst to the most profound aspiration for knowledge or justice, desire stands as the fundamental engine of human existence. It is the restless energy within Man, shaping our thoughts, directing our choices, and ultimately dictating...

The Role of Desire in Virtue and Vice and Role

by Henry Montgomery in Role

The Indispensable Navigator: Desire's Role in Shaping Virtue and Vice Desire, that fundamental impulse woven into the very fabric of human existence, stands not merely as a precursor but as a profound architect of both our virtues and our vices. Far from being a simple appetite to be...

The Problem of Fate and Necessity and Problem

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Problem

The Unyielding Question: Navigating The Problem of Fate and Necessity Summary: The problem of fate and necessity explores the profound and enduring tension between the belief that all events are predetermined and the human experience of free will and moral responsibility. This philosophical conundrum asks whether our choices are genuinely...

The Problem of Sin and Will and Problem

by Henry Montgomery in Problem

The Labyrinthine Interplay: Exploring the Problem of Sin and Will The human condition is perpetually entangled in the profound philosophical and theological problem of sin and will. At its core, this inquiry seeks to understand how a seemingly free will can choose actions deemed contrary to the good, leading to...

The Role of Desire in Human Action and Role

by Henry Montgomery in Role

The Unseen Hand: Desire's Profound Role in Shaping Human Action From the simplest urge to slake thirst to the grandest ambition to reshape society, desire stands as the fundamental wellspring of human action. It is the initiating spark, the persistent current that propels man through life, shaping not...

The Connection Between Sin and Desire and Connection

by Daniel Fletcher in Connection

The Tangled Roots: Unpacking the Connection Between Sin and Desire The intricate relationship between sin and desire has perplexed philosophers and theologians for millennia, forming a cornerstone of ethical inquiry across the Great Books of the Western World. This article explores how our deepest desires, whether for pleasure, power, or...

The Theological Problem of Fate and Free Will and Theology

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Theology

The Theological Problem of Fate and Free Will: Navigating Divine Providence and Human Choice Summary: The theological problem of fate and free will grapples with one of philosophy's most enduring paradoxes: how can human beings possess genuine free will and moral responsibility if an omniscient and omnipotent God...

The Relationship Between Fate and Will and Relation

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Relation

The Enduring Dance: Unraveling the Relation Between Fate and Will Summary: Have you ever wondered if your path is predetermined, or if every choice you make truly shapes your destiny? The relation between fate and will is one of philosophy's oldest and most profound debates. This article delves...

The Philosophical Concept of Will and Philosophy

by Daniel Fletcher in Philosophy

The Indomitable Spark: Unpacking the Philosophical Concept of Will The concept of Will sits at the very heart of philosophy, a cornerstone in our attempts to understand human agency, morality, and the very structure of the Mind. Far from a simple notion, the Will has been debated, redefined, and reimagined...

The Concept of God's Will and Cause and Concept

by Daniel Sanderson in Concept

The Grand Tapestry: Unraveling the Concept of God's Will and Cause The concept of God's Will and Cause stands as one of the most enduring, complex, and profound philosophical inquiries in the history of human thought. From ancient cosmologies to medieval scholasticism and modern existentialism, thinkers...

The Role of Will in Moral Action (Duty) and Role

by Chloe Fitzgerald in Role

The Unseen Architect: How Will Shapes Our Moral Duty The intricate dance of moral action often appears to be a grand stage where principles and consequences clash. Yet, beneath the surface, an unseen architect dictates the steps: the will. This article explores the profound role of the will in moral...

The Role of Prudence in Decision Making and Prudence

by Daniel Sanderson in Prudence

Navigating Life's Labyrinth: The Enduring Role of Prudence in Decision Making In the complex tapestry of human existence, where choices abound and consequences ripple, the ability to make sound decisions stands as a cornerstone of a well-lived life. Far from mere caution or indecisiveness, prudence emerges as a...

You’ve successfully subscribed to planksip®
Welcome back! You’ve successfully signed in.
Great! You’ve successfully signed up.
Success! Your email is updated.
Your link has expired
Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.
Please enter at least 3 characters 0 Results for your search