Utopia: Properties and Limitations

This lecture introduces the concept of utopia as a literary genre and a political ideal, focusing on the properties of utopian societies and their internal principles. The discussion covers the themes of exteriority, verisimilitude, and irony in utopian texts, as well as the practical implications of utopian hypotheses. The lecture also explores the geographical closure of utopian worlds and the societal consequences of central rational assumptions. Through a detailed analysis of the text 'Utopia' by Thomas More, the lecture delves into the challenges and contradictions inherent in utopian visions, highlighting the need for critical interpretation and the exploration of human emotions within these idealized societies.