Noplacia

[Schokokeks]

hi everyone!

As it is one of my most favourite topics and I'm currently working on it for a school paper, I'd find it interesting to share ideas with you and get to know your opinions on the subject of Utopia throughout history.

What books I read so far were "Utopia" by Thomas Morus, which I liked very much :). Just recently, to get ideas of a more contemporary Utopia, I read "Ecotopia" by Ernst Callenbach, very thought-provoking as well.

What I'm planning to read before I start writing the paper are:
"Republica" by Plato
"Der utopische Staat" by Francis Bacon (sadly I only got the German version...)
"A modern Utopia" by H.G.Wells

Has anyone already read any of these and feels ready to praise or reject them? :D
Furthermore, can you recommand any other books from any epoque on that topic?

Thank you very much!
Lots of love,
Schokokeks

[PeterL]

I did a paper like that many years ago. I read The Republic, More's Utopia, Bacon's New Atlantis, Campanella's The City of the Sun, and a few others. It was a lot of interesting reading. Do you have a hypothesis about the subject, or do you plan to think about the angle as to read? There are many other utopian novels that have been written, and you mentioned one that I am not familiar with, so if you need more material just do a search. It looks like "Der utopische Staat" contains "Utopia", New Atlantis", and "The City of the Sun", so you are well on your way. One book that I would not include is "Looking Backward" by Earl Bellamy; it praises the concept of state socialism, and we have learned that that system leads to strict authoritarianism.

[Erna]

I didn't read any of this books, but I found an English version on the net of Francis Bacon's New Atlantis: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext00/nwatl11h.htm

[mono]

What I'm planning to read before I start writing the paper are:
"Republica" by Plato
"Der utopische Staat" by Francis Bacon (sadly I only got the German version...)
"A modern Utopia" by H.G.Wells
Though I have read very little H.G. Wells, I agree with these specific choices of books, highlighting much of the darker and brigher sides of idealistic utopia. If I may suggest, you may find some decent reference in Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle and, in a very strange way, The Island Of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells.
One could probably see the influence of Plato's Republic on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, both revolving much around linear logic, reason, and rationalization, but I would like to think that Aristotle relies more on concepts of individual virtue than the broad perspective that Plato takes, combining the virtue of many individuals, forming an ideal 'republic.'
H.G. Wells' The Island Of Dr. Moreau focuses on a different idea of utopia by far different means via the raw manipulation of nature. I can see how many readers can dismiss this novel as a simple science-fiction book, but I think the story delves into matters concerning the ultimate corruption of controversial utopia by human means.
Good luck!

[subterranean]

One of the recent books with the theme of utopia throughout history is perhaps The Principle of Hope by Ernst Bloch. It's a critical history on utopian ideas written in 3 volumes and it also explores the utopian vision and possibility of such world exist in the future.

And maybe some articles in this site (http://users.erols.com/jonwill/utopialist.htm#PAPERS%20&%20ESSAYS) can help you further in elaborating your ideas/paper. And as everyone else, I wish you luck and welcome :wave:

[Rosalind]

How about some of the darker ones, like 'Brave New World'? 'The Giver' is a children's book, but if you haven't read it I highly reccomend it just for some good insights in a quick read. Both of those deal with the inevitable problems of creating utopias. Good luck on your paper--it sounds really interesting.

[YellowCrayola]

How about some of the darker ones, like 'Brave New World'? 'The Giver' is a children's book, but if you haven't read it I highly reccomend it just for some good insights in a quick read. Both of those deal with the inevitable problems of creating utopias. Good luck on your paper--it sounds really interesting.

How about 'Gathering Blue' by Lois Lowry also?

[Erna]

H.G. Wells is already mentioned and maybe his The timemachine is also interesting in this case. It also describes a society in the far future and indeed with dark sides mentioned about the seemingly sophisticated society.

[Aurora Ariel]

I have yet to read H.G Wells A Modern Utopia or The Island of Dr.Moreau, and I can't see myself getting to these two books before next year.I have previously only read Utopia, by Thomas Moore, Plato's The Republic, Nicolo Machievelli's The Prince, and George Orwell's dystopian book Animal Farm;which I read a few years ago.I would suggest one of these and also consider reading the history of Stalin, Lenin and totalitarian communism.

[Schokokeks]

Awe, you guys are just awesome!! Thank you very much for introducing so many titles to me, I've already invaded the local library and found most of them. Looks like it's going to be some interesting weeks of reading for me :D
Now being provided with so many different books and ideas I'm sure I won't have any problems developing a variety of hypothesis for my paper.

Subterranean, a big thanks to you for the link! The articles that I've read already were very helpful and thought-provoking.

It's such a pleasure to be part of your community, just had to say that again! :D

Love,
Schokokeks

[subterranean]

No problem, Schokokeks :) ..We're here to help.

And as your currently digging this interesting topic, maybe after you have submitted your paper and discussed it with the class, you can share it with all of us here. It'll surely enrich our knowledge.


Awe, you guys are just awesome!! Thank you very much for introducing so many titles to me, I've already invaded the local library and found most of them. Looks like it's going to be some interesting weeks of reading for me :D
Now being provided with so many different books and ideas I'm sure I won't have any problems developing a variety of hypothesis for my paper.

Subterranean, a big thanks to you for the link! The articles that I've read already were very helpful and thought-provoking.

It's such a pleasure to be part of your community, just had to say that again! :D

Love,
Schokokeks

[Schokokeks]

And as your currently digging this interesting topic, maybe after you have submitted your paper and discussed it with the class, you can share it with all of us here. It'll surely enrich our knowledge.

I will certainly try to do so, if you wish. Thanx again!