The Great Books of the Western World: Bookshelf Tour

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores their 54-volume set of the 'Great Books of the Western World,' a collection curated by Mortimer Adler that offers a comprehensive liberal education through classical literature, philosophy, science, and history. Highlighting the importance of deep, slow reading, the speaker emphasizes how these works form a centuries-long conversation that builds on ideas, challenges beliefs, and fosters intellectual growth. With reflections on their personal reading journey and tips for engaging with the set, the speaker encourages viewers to embrace the process of lifelong learning and the transformative power of reading these foundational texts.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Great Books of the Western World' is a 54-volume set that offers a comprehensive, liberal education spanning literature, philosophy, science, and history.
• 😀 The speaker's set is the 31st printing from 1989 and emphasizes the importance of acquiring such a collection for deep, self-guided learning.
• 😀 Mortimer Adler, one of the curators of the set, authored *How to Read a Book*, a vital guide for deep reading and scholarly engagement.
• 😀 Investing in high-quality books like these is crucial for intellectual growth, even though the set can be expensive. The speaker recommends sourcing secondhand copies.
• 😀 Deep reading of these books leads to transformative personal growth, enhancing consciousness, reasoning, empathy, and moral principles.
• 😀 Reading the Great Books is likened to joining an ongoing, centuries-old conversation with some of the greatest thinkers in history.
• 😀 The set contains influential works by authors like Melville, Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Plato, Aristotle, Darwin, and Marx, with each work carefully curated and presented.
• 😀 The speaker suggests three ways to read the set: chronologically, using the syntopicon (index of themes), or following Adler's 10-year reading plan.
• 😀 Deep reading should be slow and deliberate, with time for reflection, journaling, and rereading. The speaker stresses that these works should not be rushed through.
• 😀 The speaker combines a chronological approach with a focus on areas they wish to improve in, such as science and mathematics, and encourages embracing a hybrid reading strategy.
• 😀 The journey of reading these works is a lifelong process of self-improvement, intellectual engagement, and personal development, which requires patience and dedication.

Q & A

What is the *Great Books of the Western World* collection?

The *Great Books of the Western World* is a 54-volume set, originally published by Encyclopedia Britannica in 1951. It includes influential works across various fields such as literature, philosophy, history, and science, curated to provide a comprehensive liberal education.

Who was the key editor of the *Great Books of the Western World* collection?

Mortimer Adler was one of the main editors and curators of the collection. He is known for his work *How to Read a Book*, which serves as a guide for deep reading and self-education.

What makes the *Great Books of the Western World* set special?

The set is special because it offers a liberal education in a box. It includes essential works from Western history that form the foundation of knowledge in literature, philosophy, science, and history. Reading these books provides intellectual growth and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

How should one approach reading these books?

These books should be read slowly and thoughtfully, not rushed. The process is about deep engagement with the material, reflecting, journaling, and revisiting ideas. Adler recommended reading each book slowly, ideally over the course of a month, to fully absorb its content.

What is the significance of deep reading in the context of the *Great Books*?

Deep reading allows readers to fully engage with complex ideas, expand their intellectual capacities, and develop a better understanding of themselves and the world. Over time, it leads to personal growth in reasoning, moral understanding, and empathy.

What are some of the categories included in the set?

The set is divided into categories like Imaginative Literature (e.g., *Shakespeare*, *Homer*), Philosophy (e.g., *Aristotle*, *Plato*), History (e.g., *Gibbon's Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire*), and Science (e.g., *Darwin*, *Galileo*). Each category contains seminal works in its field.

Why are secondhand copies of the *Great Books* recommended?

Secondhand copies are often more affordable than new editions. The speaker was fortunate to receive a secondhand set in like-new condition, showing that sourcing secondhand books can still result in excellent quality at a better price.

What is the *Syntopicon* and how is it useful?

The *Syntopicon* is an index that organizes key topics such as 'Justice,' 'Love,' and 'War' across various works in the collection. It allows readers to explore how different authors and texts address similar themes, offering a thematic way to navigate the set.

How is the *Great Books* collection structured, and what are some notable features?

The collection is color-coded by category, such as yellow for Imaginative Literature, green for Science, and blue for History. Each volume is designed with high-quality typography and includes helpful features like introductions, etymologies, and illustrations, especially in scientific works.

What is the importance of reading the *Great Books* with a scriptural approach?

Reading the *Great Books* as scripture means engaging with them deeply and reverently, treating each work as a valuable source of wisdom. This approach encourages slow, thoughtful reading and reflection, similar to how one would approach religious texts, allowing the ideas to resonate and become part of one's lived experience.