It may be daunting to imagine that the most significant book on politics was written more than two millennia ago, but it is no exaggeration to assert that Thucydides’ masterful The History of the Peloponnesian War may indeed be just that. Written in the 5th century BC, the work chronicles the 27-year war between Sparta and Athens, offering an insightful critique of warfare and what the endeavor reveals about human nature. In these fascinating lectures, Professor Fred Baumann explores this penetrating work, providing deep insight into both political practice and philosophy.
Since ancient times, philosophers have struggled with the concept of the ideal society, or utopia. Many have contributed to the widely varying possibilities for just what such a system might entail. Religious, economic, and political structures all help to shape the composition of these utopias, and as these visions are shared, they impact the way subsequent utopias are envisioned. In this fascinating series of lectures, Professor Fred E. Baumann explores the "perfect" societies that have been described by great thinkers throughout history. His analysis provides insight on the nature of utopias and their place in society.
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