The difference theology makes: a reflection on the first margin note in Thomas More's Utopia

Because the distinction between mendacium dicere and mentiri is taken from a pre-Christian text on grammar, Utopia's opening margin note about a “theological difference” between uttering a falsehood and lying has long been seen as ironic or an instance of playful misdirection. Without denying t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Moreana
Main Author: Foley, Michael P. 1970- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Edinburgh University Press [2017]
In: Moreana
Further subjects:B Augustin d'Hippone
B mendacium
B Nigidius
B mentir
B Augustine of Hippo
B Cassiciacum
B mensonges
B Gellius
B Lying
B De ordine
B lies
B Utopia
B Soliloquia
B Thomas More
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
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Summary:Because the distinction between mendacium dicere and mentiri is taken from a pre-Christian text on grammar, Utopia's opening margin note about a “theological difference” between uttering a falsehood and lying has long been seen as ironic or an instance of playful misdirection. Without denying these conclusions, this essay argues that the distinction is theological insofar as it reflects the theology of St. Augustine, especially as presented in his early “Cassiciacum” dialogues. Utopia's first and arguably most important margin note is even more ironic than previously thought.
Puisque la distinction entre mendacium dicere et mentiri est issue d'un texte sur la grammaire, antérieur au christianisme, la première note dans la marge de l'Utopie, à propos d'une «différence théologique» entre dire des mensonges et mentir a longtemps été considérée comme ironique ou comme un exemple d'erreur amusante. Sans vouloir remettre en question ces conclusions, cette étude démontre que la distinction est de nature théologique dans la mesure où elle reflète la théologie de saint Augustin, notamment telle qu'elle présentée dans ses premiers dialogues de «Cassiciacum». La note de marge initiale, sans doute la plus importante, de l'Utopie est donc encore plus ironique qu'on ne le croyait.
ISSN:2398-4961
Contains:Enthalten in: Moreana
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.3366/more.2017.0007