Nearly four decades ago, in 1967, Macmillan
published its eight-volume Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
With Paul Edwards as its exceptionally able editor in
chief, the Encyclopedia became a highly respected, premier
reference work consulted by countless professors
and students as they pursued the examined life. Indeed,
it would be safe to say that most if not all of the scholars
who have contributed to the new Second Edition of the
Encyclopedia leaned on the First Edition for philosophical
insight during their formative years as young academicians.
For them to be able to participate in reshaping a
reference resource that figured importantly in their intellectual
development has been a unique opportunity and
a privilege.
When Macmillan invited me to serve as editor in
chief for the new ten-volume Second Edition, the task
appeared daunting because of its magnitude. But it also
seemed manageable because backing me up was a valuable
learning experience I had as the editor in chief for
Macmillan’s single-volume Supplement, published in
1996, that updated the Encyclopedia. Among the insights
I gained from that experience three were especially
important.