Interpreting Thomas More's Utopia [Hardcover]

The proceedings of a symposium commemorating the 450th anniversary of Thomas Mores death and the 50th anniversary of his canonization, Interpreting Thomas Mores Utopia presents four leading Morean scholars on various aspects central to understanding Mores masterpiece. An introduction by Governor Mario M. Cuomo in which he assesses Mores influence on his career in public life precedes this stimulating discussion.

The contributions, in order of appearance, are A Personal Appreciation by Mario M. Cuomo, The Argument of Utopia by George M. Logan, The Key to Nowhere: Pride and Utopia by Thomas I. White, Utopia and Martyrdom by Germain Marchadour, and The Idea of Utopia from Hesiod to John Paul II by John C. Olin.

Originally presented in October 1985 at Fordham University as a symposium commemorating the 450th anniversary of More's death and the 50th anniversary of his canonization, this volume includes New York Governor Mario Cuomo's remarks of personal appreciation opening the symposium, the papers developed therefrom, and a concluding essay by John Olin (professor emeritus of history, Fordham). This slim volume picks up the seemingly inexhaustible and ever-continuing debate More began in Utopia, carrying it forward with four stimulating essays on this deeply enigmatic book by four Morean scholars. In The Argument of Utopia G.M. Logan (Princeton) considers the work rhetorically, relating the moral and expedient to the political realm. T.I. White (Upsala), in The Key to Nowhere: Pride and Utopia, identifies pride as the source of social evil. G. Marc'hadour (Universite Catholique de l'Ouest in Angers, France) develops Utopia and Martyrdom, contrasting Christian spirituality and the rational asceticism of the Utopian Buthrescae. Olin's essay, The Idea of Utopia from Hesiod to John Paul II, supplies broader dimensions and deeper aspects of the utopian vision. This long look in a short space by scholars of literature, philosophy, al“=