Episode 405: A Jobs Program For Neurotics

Written in 1516, 'Utopia' by Sir Thomas More is a seminal work of fiction that presents an ideal society on a fictional island. The book is divided into two parts: the first critiques the social and economic issues of early 16th-century England, while the second introduces the Utopian society as a potential solution. Utopia is characterized by communal property, no class distinctions or poverty, little crime, religious freedom, and a strict egalitarian system. More uses this imaginary society to highlight the flaws of European politics and society of his time, advocating for a more just and equal world. The work is notable for its influence on later socialist and communist thought and continues to be a subject of discussion in political theory and philosophy.

Tommaso Campanella's "The City of the Sun" is a 17th-century utopian novel depicting an ideal society governed by a philosopher-king. The city is characterized by communal living, strict social control, and the suppression of individual desires. While presented as a utopia, the book's rigid social structure and authoritarian governance foreshadow elements of totalitarian regimes. Campanella's work explores themes of social order, religious harmony, and the pursuit of a perfect society, but its methods are often seen as oppressive and unrealistic. The novel remains a significant example of utopian literature, highlighting both the allure and the potential dangers of striving for an idealized social structure.

The Corpus Hermeticum is a series of sacred texts presented mostly as dialogues in which a teacher enlightens a disciple. These texts discuss various aspects of Hermetic philosophy, including the divine, the cosmos, mind, and nature. They also touch upon alchemy, astrology, and related concepts. The collection includes fifteen tractates, such as the 'Poemandres' and the 'General Sermons', which cover basic and mystical aspects of Hermeticism.