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What we can learn from a Renaissance nowhere
In 1516, a book was published in Latin with the enigmatic Greek-derived word as its title. Utopia-which could mean either “good-place” or “no-place”-gives a traveler’s account of a newly discovered island somewhere in the New World where the inhabitants enjoy a social order based purely on natural reason and justice. As the traveler describes the harmony, prosperity, and equality found there, a dramatic contrast is drawn between the ideal community he portrays and the poverty, crime, and often frightening political conditions of 16th century Europe. Written by Sir Thomas More (1477-1535)-then a rising intellectual star of the Renaissance and ultimately the advisor and friend of Henry VIII who was executed for his devoutly Catholic opposition to the king-Utopia is as complex as its author.
In the form of a Platonic dialogue, Utopia explores topics such as money, property, crime, education, religious tolerance, euthanasia, and feminism. Claimed as a paean to communism (Lenin had More’s name inscribed on a statue in Moscow) as often as it has been seen as a defense of traditional medieval values, Utopia began the lineage of utopian thinkers who use storytelling to explore new possibilities for human society-and remains as relevant today as when it was written in Antwerp 500 years ago.
Part of the bestselling Capstone Classics series edited by Tom Butler-Bowdon, this edition features an introduction from writer, economist, and historian Niall Kishtainy.
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Sir Thomas More (1477-1535) remains one of the most enigmatic thinkers in history, due to the enduring mysteries surrounding his best-known work, Utopia. In his socio-political work, More writes of a traveller’s account of a newly discovered island in which the inhabitants share a common culture and way of life. As the traveller describes the harmony, equality, and prosperity of the island, a dramatic contrast is drawn between his imagined community and the very real poverty, crime and political corruption of 16th century Europe. In ‘Utopia’, More explores topics such as crime, punishment, education, multi-religion societies, divorce, euthanasia and women’s rights, making the book as relevant today as it was 500 years ago.
Weight | 0.363 kg |
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Dimensions | 20.1 × 13.5 × 2.3 cm |
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Publisher | |
Imprint | |
Cover | Hardback |
Pages | xxxi, 198 |
Language | English |
Edition | |
Dewey | 335.02 (edition:23) |
Readership | Professional and scholarly / Code: H |
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