An overview of Utopia, by Sir Thomas More
“EXCEPT ALL MEN WERE GOOD EVERYTHING CANNOT BE RIGHT, AND THAT IS A BLESSING THAT I DO NOT AT PRESENT HOPE TO SEE”. First published in Latin, in 1516, Utopia inserts itself among those oeuvres of political philosophy that attempt an outline of the ideal form of government and societal organization. The funny thing is that the work itself is poorly organized. It is divided into two books and the second book is by its turn divided into sections, but there is no inherent correlation with content. That being said, it is possible to make out some important themes that are discussed throughout the text. The first theme is about the ancient discussion on political life and whether one must apply himself and his wisdom to public affairs, specifically to the counselling of Princes, or reserve it to private life, and that discussion is posed as a matter of whether be a slave (or useful, “the change of the word does not alter the matter” ) or maintain one’s peace and quiet...