Bücher von Thomas More

Thomas More's classic of political philosophy depicts an island society where all residents lives in harmony with one another.Published in 1516, Utopia sees Sir Thomas More advances many tenets of what he views to be a perfect society. His use of the word 'utopia' as the name of the harmonious island nation he writes about entered the popular vernacular, and is now used to describe any society where life is perfect for all of its inhabitants. More describes the social customs, means of transport, a lack of private property, trust between residents who do not lock their doors, a simple spartan lifestyle free of ostentation, a welfare state, free health care, a priesthood permitted to marry, and gender equality when it comes to matters of work. Those who commit crime are sentenced to slavery, with slaves also imported to carry out domestic duties in Utopia's households.

Sir Thomas More coined the word Utopia (meaning 'No Place') to emphasise his conviction that in no corner of the world had humanity attained to the perfect society. Writing in 1516, More attempted to describe the basis of just such a civilisation, founded upon the principles of rationality, equality, and common ownership. But More's vision is not wholly rose-tinted: he acknowledges the imperfections of human nature, and attempts to construct an ideal society in which individuals fulfilling their baser urges would at the same time act in the best interest of the community. Nearly 500 years of social experiment now divide us from Utopia's author (and the ideal society is arguably no nearer), but Sir Thomas' book still has much to teach us.

Utopia is a classic masterpiece that conveys More's vivid imagination of the Island of Utopia. Although most of the characters are fictional, it is intriguing to learn about the true values of European societies during the 16th century, when More actually wrote the book (although many scholars believe that the exact year was 1515). Truthfully, the book is quite easy to understand. All More tries to do is convey his own views of how society should be through Raphael. Moreover, the use of imagery in the first part of the book is quite fascinating, including the constant references to Roman and Greek myths and beliefs. It is also quite remarkable to see that the story begins to be more and more interesting after More and Giles come back from dinner…

Paints a fantastical picture of a distant island where society is perfected and people live in harmony. This work is also an attack on the author's own corrupt, dangerous times, and on the failings of humanity.

Incorporating extensive updates to the editorial apparatus, including the introduction, suggestions for further reading, and footnotes, this third edition of More's Utopia has been comprehensively re-worked to take into account scholarship published since the second edition in 2002.

Originally published in 1879, and reprinted numerous times, this book presents the complete English text of Thomas More's Utopia, together with a glossary and detailed textual notes. An introduction and biography of More are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in More's writings and political philosophy in general.

A new edition of More's Utopia, one of the classics of Renaissance humanism. It is the first to provide an accurate Latin text and facing-page English translation, and includes an introduction, textual apparatus, full commentary and guide to the critical literature.