The Western Canon

The Western Canon refers to a core collection of influential writings, artworks, and ideas central to Western culture and intellectual history. It includes classical literature, philosophy, science, and art that have shaped Western society's values, thinking, and identity over centuries. These works are studied for their enduring artistic, moral, and philosophical significance, and they serve as a foundation for understanding Western civilization’s development. The Canon isn't fixed; it evolves, but traditionally it highlights foundational texts that have profoundly influenced literature, politics, ethics, and the arts in the Western world.