Interpreting Thomas More's "Utopia"

John C. Olin was Professor Emeritus of History at Fordham University.

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, and history is a welcome addition to Moreana, a stimulus to a continuation of the utopian debate. Highly recommended. (—Choice)

• A personal appreciation / Mario M. Cuomo -- The argument of Utopia / George M Logan -- The key to nowhere / Thomas I. White -- Utopia and martyrdom / Germ Marc Hadour -- The idea of Utopia from Hesiod to John Paul II / John C. Olin