Utopias of the classical world

by John Ferguson

Book by Ferguson, John

228 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1975

About the author

John Ferguson (b. Manchester, 2 March 1921; d. Birmingham, 22 May 1989) studied Classics and Theology, becoming Professor of Classics at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He was subsequently founding Dean of Arts at the Open University, and President of the Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham. Ferguson took part in the Dunblane Consultations from 1962 onwards (see Dunblane Praises*). He was a lay preacher in the Congregational Church, after 1972 in the United Reformed Church. He was a committed Christian pacifist, and did much work for the Fellowship of Reconciliation (he was co-editor, with his wife, of Reconciliation Quarterly). Author of more than 50 books.

Reviews

[Miltiadis Michalopoulos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A number of Utopias of the Classical World from Plato's "Republic" to St Augustine's "CIty of God". Every Utopia is described thoroughly; however I would expect something more from John Ferguson. Perhaps a comparative study of these Utopias considering the changing of thought through the Ages... This is the reason why I give it 4 instead of 5 stars...

[Jared Saltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ferguson is the first to trace the elements of Utopianism and its links to political reform from its inception through the end of the Roman Era. He begins--as all such studies must--with Homer's golden age (although he barely gives a nod to Hesiod's own influence there!) and travels through the Spartan realism and ideals to Plato, Alexander, and Roman authors before concluding with Augustine's City of God. His is an excellent, easily read book that does a good job locating each of these Utopians in their historical context. However, his understanding of Utopia is somewhat generic and informal--he accepts strong utopia and weak utopia and political reform that has no links to utopia at all! Worst, he uses endnotes, which is a crime against humanity. That said, his observations are acute, founded in primary literature, and his theme runs through clear and concise.