Utopia

by Thomas More

"Utopia" by Saint Thomas More is a work of fiction and socio-political satire written in Latin and published in 1516. This frame narrative depicts a fictional island society and its religious, social, and political customs. Through dialogue between More and the traveler Raphael Hythlodaeus, the work explores contemporary European problems—warfare, theft, poverty, and enclosure—while describing an alternative society that challenges Renaissance notions of governance. The book questions whether philosophers should work within flawed political systems or pursue radical ideals.