Abstract

A common assumption in the study of philosophy is the existence of a list of thinkers, texts and classic topics which would contains the fundamental highlights in the history of philosophical thinking. This list has been called “canon” and is very often characterized by its model character. In connection with it, there is a number of interesting and deeply philosophical questions: i) Is there really a philosophical canon? ii) If there is: what is its function? How is it configured? Is it stable? iii) What are the requirements that a text or an author must satisfy in order to become a member of the canon and what are the criteria to select them? Are these criteria ideologically oriented or they rather respect the values of originality, sublimity, depth and intrinsic representativeness to philosophy? iv) Is it essential to the study of philosophy the reference to a canon?