Translation of The Happy City by Francesco Patrizi of Cherso

Abstract

In The Happy City, Patrizi describes an ideal city. His analysis is founded on the premise that we can determine what makes a city happy only if we recognize what it is that makes a man happy. Patrizi argues that happiness is the ultimate goal of man’s life: it entails being virtuous and, even more, uniting with the divine. However, man cannot attain happiness on his own; he requires special conditions that only a city can provide. Patrizi envisages a city which creates the best possible environment for man to pursue happiness through its habits, features, laws, and political structures. His city is ideal not because it embodies certain political values (e.g., equality, justice, freedom), but since it enables man to follow his highest calling.