What makes for a philosophical classic? Why do some philosophical works persist over time, while others do not? The philosophical canon and diversity are topics of major debate today. This stimulating volume contains ten new essays by accomplished philosophers writing passionately about works in the history of philosophy that they feel were unjustly neglected or ignored-and why they deserve greater attention. The essays cover lesser known works by famous thinkers as well as works that were once famous but now only faintly remembered. Works examined include Gorgias' Encomium of Helen, Jane Adams' Women and Public Housekeeping, W.E.B. DuBois' Whither Now and Why, Edith Stein's On the Problem of Empathy, Jonathan Bennett's Rationality, and more.While each chapter is an expression of engagement with an individual work, the volume as a whole, and Eric Schliesser's introduction specifically, address timely questions about the nature of philosophy, disciplinary contours, and the vagaries of canon formation.

Table of ContentsEditor's AcknowledgmentsAuthor BiographiesEric Schliesser: "Introduction: on Being a Classic in Philosophy"1. Rachel Barney: Gorgias' Encomium of Helen2. Ryan Hanley: F?nelon's Telemachus3. Elisabeth Anderson: Thomas Paine's Agrarian Justice4. Frederick Beiser: Lotze's Mikrokosmus5. Michael Della Rocca: Bradley's Appearance and Reality6. Sally Haslanger: Jane Addams' "Women and Public Housekeeping"7. Alan Richardson: Cassirer's Substance Concept and Functional Concept8. Kris McDaniel: Edith Stein: On the Problem of Empathy9. Chike Jeffers: W.E.B Du Bois' Whither Now and Why10. Daniel Dennett: Jonathan Bennett's RationalityIndex