ATR Review - Adler's Great Ideas Program, 10 volume set

My review of the 10 volume set of the Great Ideas Program by Mortimer J. Adler. Set includes: Introduction to a Liberal Education, Development of Political Theory and Government; Science and Mathematics; Religion and Theology; Philosophy of Law and Jurisprudence; Imaginative Literature 1 & 2; Study of Moral Values; Biology, Psychology, and Medicine; Philosophy

[@moxie1956]

Hey Red, I so appreciate your review of Adler's Great Ideas Program. I always desired to work my way through the Great Western Books, but 50-something volumes had always been rather daunting. But, getting my hands on this 10 volume set encourages me to complete a disciplined self-education program. Amazon had one full hardback set for $43.00...SOLD to me! Yay! Almost all of the required readings can be found online, but I also own many of them already, those that have been my favorites over the decades. Thanks again for your thorough presentation of each of the 10 volumes. You inspired me to pursue a goal I have had forever without its fulfillment. At the ripe age of 60, I continue my lifelong yearning for learning!

[@zeldanut08]

Great video! I recently picked up the complete 54 vol set from a local vintage bookstore, with the 10 vol Great Ideas Program included. I've been cleaning/caring for the books while I research how to get started. I am very excited to start learning and I am very grateful for the videos I have found; explaining how to read and best experience these text. Happy Learning to y'all!

[@nickn1782]

It would have been helpful if you had pointed out that there are at least three series of books associated with the great books program: 1) Great Books of the Western World, a 54 volume series of book-length works. The first volume, The Great Conversation, discusses the great books project generally, while volumes 2 and 3 are the "syntopicon" -- a survey of great ideas. 2) Gateway to the Great Books, a 10 volume series of shorter works, drama, stories, and essays. 3) the Great Ideas Program, which you review in this video. In any case, thanks for the video. The number of individuals who study the western tradition in this way is very small, and this is going to come around to bite us eventually. As Santayana said, those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

[@asdisskagen6487]

I know this is a really old video, but I just wanted to thank you for this video; I was debating on whether to buy this set on eBay and your review has convinced me that it is indeed a good investment. Thank you!

[@LongHairedFreakyDude]

One time Adler used to be one of the most revered philosophers in the field of education, now not many people even know who he is... It's a shame. We need a new Adler to rise up and re spark that flame of liberal education amongst the people. Im confident that it would solve a lot of problems not related with education as well.... And as you pointed out all people need to take part in this education... Even the scientists, for it allows them to see across many fields of thought, and connect ideas to things outside of their specialization and thus develop new technologies, ideas, methods, etc. I got a few volumes of the set out of a dumpster... One time my high school decided to reduce the size of their library... Since they couldn't find a place to donate books to they simply THREW THEM AWAY. AAAGGH. I pulled at least 300 volumes out of the trash, most of which were rare sets I had been looking to add to my collection for a long time, like the entire Dictionary of American Biography or The Great Ideas. It's such a shame that not even some educational institutions credit books anymore :/ The anology of the great books to mine craft is perfect :D and how you pointed out that things such as scientific works might no longer be accepted or practiced (one can't help but laugh while reading Aristotles treatise on anatomy!) that doesn't necessarily meant that they are outdated. Useful things can still be pulled from them. There is reason to read them. Finally you mentioned college courses offering a history of ideas. Have you heard of St. John's Annapolis/Santa Fe? It's a college that I've been looking to go to... It's entirely based in the great ideas, the great books, and a great education. There are no professors... They stress that the teachers are the guys who wrote these books. What one does is they read their assigned reading, and then discuss with a class of about 8 students and a "moderator" the ideas in that work in what they call "a Socratic seminar". 4 years of just that. Really, there's no better word to describe it than magical! Then, after that, the graduates usually go forth with their new knowledge and new method of looking at and thinking critically about the world and pursue their occupational career. If only more schools offered such an "absurd" education! Anyhoo Great set of books... Great indepth review!

[@ted1045]

Thanks for making this video. I was just able to recently get the set and am setting up a series of videos trying to cover each of the readings within each of the books as it didn't seem to have been done as of yet. I really appreciate you putting this information out there as it led me to seek these books out and get exposed to some stuff I hadn't run across before.

[@Nebunlina]

Great introduction, thanks!

[@nickedani]

Thanks for the advices ane tips! I've studied theses books as a self study and having masters as you to help with some guindance is such a treasure! Shout out from Brazil!

[@justapedn1]

Thanks Red. Bought a set this morning.

[@carlscott4180]

The two campuses of St. John's College, Annapolis, and Santa Fe, and the one Thomas Aquinas college, are the institutions that really guide you through Great Books education in a systematic way. St. John's is secular, Thomas Aquinas is Catholic. St. John's also has a quick grad program. Adler at times makes it seem easier to do this kind of education on your own than it actually is. Look into the colleges, or see if there is a reading club for Great Books in your area.

[@TheBromano]

Thank you, friend. Here in Brazil it is even tougher to get a good education. If it weren't for your review, I would have bought the 10 volume set (I already own Great Books complete). So there's no need for that, only volume one. Kind regards, great readings.

[@vitinho5656]

Nice video! I ordered my volume 3 yesterday, since I'm a chemist. I'll probably buy all the other volumes whenever possible.

[@carlosmaguina9594]

I just bought a set on eBay, Red. I'm looking forward to starting my education -- and then probably quitting really fast. Either way, they'll look good on my shelves next to my anime dolls, scented candles, and stuffed animals.

[@bethanytrimble9223]

The first time I've ever heard Aristophanes compared to Monty Python, but totally accurate! I will never read Lysistrata the same way again...😂

[@naturemarveled9876]

I have the same set and I'm using it to start my own reading plan. I paid ten bucks for the whole set on eBay a couple of years ago. I like them.

[@stretmediq]

I have the entire Great Books set, the entire Gateway to the Great Books, the entire Great Ideas Program and the entire Great Ideas Today year book set

[@Studios421]

Which do you think are the most necessary? I have the 54 volume set and was considering the great ideas program from this video as a good way to supplement the 10 year reading plan given in vol.1 of the 54 volume set.

[@allen5455]

@@Studios421 The set presented here is absolutely necessary.

[@ojibwayinca8487]

I would LOVE to start an online discussion group for this set. Anyone?

[@Studios421]

Only if you promise to do the reading ;)

[@airborne2767]

Just ordered the first volume to see how I like it.

[@airborne2767]

All the volumes are available in single form for like 1 penny each. Lol.

[@Richard-cm3pl]

Andrew, is it necessary to purchase the Great Books set that relates to Introduction of can it be used as a stand alone guide to the books?

[@ted1045]

It's not completely needed no. Most of the books that are used in the Great Ideas Program are in the public domain and Eastern University has the vast majority of the books online for free reading or available for download via Pdf download.

[@levanthuan6080]

How I can watch the great ideas program of Adler? Thank you. From Viet Nam

[@lisaryan898]

The videos are available at thegreatideas.org

[@simetry6477]

I believe the university was meant for law makers in a real democracy - where all of the elite that were not slaves or women, would be able to deliberate on common grounds. Today of course as you mentioned we have a government where all are called to deliberate on decisions that affect all and we have a university system that accepts all regardless of their social position. It is has much more concern for those concerned. Yet our society is having trouble it seems to me discerning whether are these technocrats responsible towards the rest, if they have the interests of all in mind. I thought you may have made the argument if we do not know of history then we are doomed to repeat it. True, but I think this is often taken as lets either dispense with what was thought of, or lets dispense what mistakes they made - but do neither? Look at what held thought back in its progression to see what holds us back today, this applies to not only the particular individual level and your life, but also other individuals in their lives, not only to this society but societies in history. Oddly what should be done is to provide research jobs to those who have been trained in these varieties of research - those that try to disprove old theories, those that try to refine them, those that want to prove something entirely new, all are breakthroughs - and should serve as guidance in furthers science, understanding, technology. Instead we train a bunch of people in research who never get to apply those theories. Instead we are left with giving very little hope for those without these skills or employment, because they see other WITH these skills struggling to pay off even their student loans and to buy houses. Others conclude, even those trained conclude, this doesn't provide for them or myself, so what is the point.

[@tiagoanchiieta]

Very good video! Can I add you on Facebook? I'm a brazilian student who wants study liberal arts. It would be a pleasure to talk with you!

[@riverrun7061]

While I agree with you, one should be careful about John Stewart Mill. His father was obviously a nut even in his own time, and he clearly either made his son into or helped him to become a neurotic mess which ruined him as a man the rest of his life. That doesn't mean that you don't have the good robust classical education but Mill is just not a good example because of the extremes of the method

[@sstargazer004]

5:02 - 5:10 hahahaha

[@allen5455]

Are you, like, a viking?

[@hanskung3278]

I'd like to know any one who has actually read every one of these books.....I don't think any one has....I mean read and actually understand them.

[@Studios421]

I'm into the second year of the 10 year reading plan from the 54 volume set. Even after 10 years, the reading list is only a sample of them all :O But, like any skill or attainment of wisdom, I guess it's not supposed to ever end and reach a point of good enough :)

[@hanskung3278]

@@Studios421 So what lasting, significant insights have you gleaned that has changed your life?

[@Studios421]

@@hanskung3278 The best way to answer that would be to select one of the 102 great ideas from Mortimer Adler's list in the syntopicon and ask questions of how one's understanding of them and their relation to the world has evolved as one's reading of the great books has progressed. Honestly, it is so enriching and enjoyable of an experience and it certainly has made me reflect on humanity in all its impossible imperfection, which is incredibly insightful and humbling. That's why I'm here really, I want to share this joy with everyone :) :)

[@hanskung3278]

@@Studios421 Thank you, good ideas, I had a family member encourage me to read the great books, I tried but got disillusioned, however two insights have been significant to my life, Pascals point that our unhappiness lies in the fact that we can't stay alone in our rooms without distraction a ND Nietzsche's parable of the madman showing people's disorientation without God.

[@Studios421]

@@hanskung3278 I know what you mean, there is certainly a lot of content in this series and Adler seems intent on wanting to make it a struggle rather than a joy :P But I equate him to a concert level piano teacher. If one wants to be at that level, these books are important and the process of reading them will not be easy. That's partly why I'm here as well. There isn't a uni course with lots of humans to mingle with late into the night discussing this stuff. And if there were I probably wouldn't want the student debts anyway. So here I am, sharing and learning with others here, so that I can have an outlet to the solitary reading (active reading though it is). I guess my comments are an attempt to have the "great conversation", similar to how a pianist needs to perform and not just practice in their room. I am absolutely stoked you gave a meaningful reply too, I wish I could meet you in person and talk more :D Note: I haven't read either of the publications you mentioned, but I'm all excited now to do so at some point! Kind of like watching another pianist play a beautiful piece, then wanting to go home and try it oneself. Cheers man.

[@stevedavis8329]

You aren't thinking of Francis Bacon. You are thinking of Roger Bacon.