Areopagitica

From the author of the esteemed epic poem, Paradise Lost, comes one history's most influential arguments against censorship. John Milton was known for his linguistic genius and political activity, often writing to support his views. During the height of the English Civil War, Milton published Areopagitica. Structured like an oral speech but delivered by pamphlets that Milton illegally printed and distributed, Areopagitica argues against censorship and advocates for the freedom of speech and expression. Published in 1644, Areopagitica is a direct response to the Licensing Order of 1643, opposing it so much that Milton defied the order to print his polemic. The Licensing Order of 1643 required authors to obtain a license from the British Parliament before their work could be published, which meant the government could control what was printed, and censor anything that went against the social norm or criticized their policies. Milton created an argument against this order, providing historical evidence and context against the licensing system, imagining the future harm the order would cause, and advocated for the use of books and literacy. Despite Milton's avid and passionate argument, the right to a free press was not achieved for nearly fifty years. Still, Areopagitica shaped future philosophical and political ideas in several countries. Areopagitica by John Milton is regarded as an important historical document, an influential text, and a perfect example of the intelligence of the legendary author, John Milton. As it was published in response to major historical events, Areopagitica preserves the emotional responses from English citizens during a crucial time in their history, and is regarded as one of the most influential arguments for free speech. Though John Milton did not achieve his original intentions, Areopagitica set a precedent for the philosophy of free thought and expression, which in turn has shaped the modern idea of freedoms and their implications. This edition of Areopagitica by John Milton features a striking new cover design and is printed in an easy-to-read font, making it both accessible and modern. .

From the author of the esteemed epic poem, Paradise Lost, comes one history's most influential arguments against censorship. John Milton was known for his linguistic genius and political activity, often writing to support his views. During the height of the English Civil War, Milton published Areopagitica. Structured like an oral speech but delivered by pamphlets that Milton illegally printed and distributed, Areopagitica argues against censorship and advocates for the freedom of speech and expression. Published in 1644, Areopagitica is a direct response to the Licensing Order of 1643, opposing it so much that Milton defied the order to print his polemic. The Licensing Order of 1643 required authors to obtain a license from the British Parliament before their work could be published, which meant the government could control what was printed, and censor anything that went against the social norm or criticized their policies. Milton created an argument against this order, providing historical evidence and context against the licensing system, imagining the future harm the order would cause, and advocated for the use of books and literacy. Despite Milton's avid and passionate argument, the right to a free press was not achieved for nearly fifty years. Still, Areopagitica shaped future philosophical and political ideas in several countries. Areopagitica by John Milton is regarded as an important historical document, an influential text, and a perfect example of the intelligence of the legendary author, John Milton. As it was published in response to major historical events, Areopagitica preserves the emotional responses from English citizens during a crucial time in their history, and is regarded as one of the most influential arguments for free speech. Though John Milton did not achieve his original intentions, Areopagitica set a precedent for the philosophy of free thought and expression, which in turn has shaped the modern idea of freedoms and their implications. This edition of Areopagitica by John Milton features a striking new cover design and is printed in an easy-to-read font, making it both accessible and modern. .

'Areopagitica´ er et forsvarsskrift for trykkefrihed og angreb på censur, historisk, aktuelt og generelt. Den specielle titel stammer fra den oldgræske taler Isokrates´ skrift af samme navn, hvori denne plæderede for at moderere det radikale demokrati i Athen ved at genoplive rådet af veletablerede og kyndige borgere, der fra gammel tid havde haft sæde på højen Areopagos. Var Athen i krise på Isokrates´ tid, gjaldt det i ekstrem grad England i 1644, da hele landet lå i borgerkrig på alle fronter, ydre som indre, religiøst, politisk og etnisk, og intolerancen i denne religionskrigenes tidsalder i Europa rasede med bål og brand og censur mod ´de andre´, de anderledes tænkende og troende. Da Miltons eget parti, puritanerne, havde fået magten i det engelske parlament, greb også de til den bogcensur, som de så længe selv havde lidt fra konge- og kirkemagtens side. Da er det, at Milton skrider til et velargumenteret og i samtiden unikt angreb på selve censuren - 50 år før dens ophævelse i England og 200 år førend i Danmark. Et af omfang lille, men i historisk betydning vidtrækkende skrift, der hører hjemme i den tidligste fase af Oplysningen. John Milton, engelsk digter (1608-74), mest berømt for sit store epos ´Paradise Lost´ (1667; da. ´Det tabte paradis, 2008), digtet over Bibelens syndefaldsmyte, hos Milton en allegori om Gud og Satan i kamp om menneskets sjæl, om dets syndighed og anger og mulighed for tilgivelse. Hertil indbød Miltons dramatiske tidsalder med dens krig på sjæl og legeme om såvel den rette tro som den rette styreform: borgerkrigen mellem puritanere og statskirke, parlament og kongemagt og mellem englændere, skotter og irere. Milton tog aktivt del heri, idet han, den lærde puritaner og republikaner, udgav en række skrifter mod konge- og bispemagt, foruden værker om sit folks historie, om opdragelse og retten til skilsmisse. I 1644 trodsede han tillige den af sine egne genindførte censur ved at udsende skriftet ´Areopagitica´, et historisk forsvar for trykkefriheden. Milton endte sine dage som fuldstændig blind, men havde således tidligt og klart set, hvad der var og er den ufravigelige betingelse for et samfund, der bygger på viden og fri udveksling af synspunkter. "Giv mig frem for alle andre friheder friheden til at vide, til at ytre mig og til frit at argumentere efter min samvittighed." (Fra ´Areopagitica´).