Imagining the Ideal Community Utopia, Essay Example

Thomas More’s “Utopia” is his characterization of a perfect society.  More’s Utopia is simply a perfect place, where More tries to combine the natural, social, and political features of the Utopia to that of perfection.  While More presents unique and interesting concepts, it does not seem realistic.

Physical, Political, and Social Aspects of Utopia

In terms of the physical aspects of More’s Utopia, More is expressive of the perceived harmony present.  More gives the harbor surrounding the island of Utopia, claiming that it is “useful for everyone.”  It is designed in order to protect from the wind by surrounding land, where it is even claimed that the water does not get rough.

More also gives protection for the island of Utopia with its physical features.  There are a number of rocks and shoals in the harbor mouth, which are reportedly unseen unless there is a Utopian pilot in the ship.  There are also hidden safe channels, which are also unknown to all but Utopians.

The Utopian founder, who we come to know as Utopos, designs the island built on safety and economy.  The economy for the island can prosper due to its ease of shipping in and out from the island.  However, it seems as if though the defensive capabilities of the island are more relevant.  For instance, More expresses that a handful of men could stop a huge invading force from landing on the “seen” side of the island.  Clearly other physical elements, such as the hidden rocks, are designed for the safety of Utopians.  Of course there are other benefits of the island, such as not being so close to other civilizations that could pose problems for the experience of the Utopians.

Socially Utopia is a sort of dreamland, where there are few responsibilities for the Utopians.  For instance, each resident is only required to work on the land provided for two years.  More even presents work that is easier than normal, such as the eggs left by hens via heat.  More thus presents a social system, in this and other respects, that is quite normally perfect, according to Utopian standards.

Politically, Utopia is designed with the best interests of the citizens in mind.  Mayors are elected in secret from a solemn oath from the voters.  Continuing the perfect state in More’s work, he even admits that disputes are rare at the political level, which is interesting to consider.  The political system also notably allows for the free flow of political ideas, concerns, and the representation of the public.

Reception of Utopia

Looking at the positive and negative aspects of More’s Utopia, it should be noted that everything is “good.”  More’s Utopia seeks to find the best situation in everything, which is why it leads to negative aspects of the citizen’s lives, as well as aspects that are simply unrealistic.  However, More establishes a society that is ultimately good, stemming from the harmony and purpose in which he conveys through this fantasy of living.

There are several aspects that seem impossible in More’s Utopia.  The assumption of perfect harmony in regards to politics is quite unrealistic, along with those of the citizens of Utopia.  For instance, More proposes several ideas that lead to the unrealistic occupation of time of the Utopians.

Moving beyond what is impossible, I disagree with More’s occupation of time for the Utopians especially.  More gives a six-hour work day, with eight hours of sleep beginning at 8 P.M.  More also states that the citizens can do what they would like to do outside of these constraints.

This is first unrealistic for practical reasons.  In no sense of realism can we agree that this could take place, that people would want to be objected to certain guidelines.  More even adds that while they can do what they want outside of these constraints, idleness or self-indulgence is prohibited.  In this and in the autonomy of a person, More fails to give something that is realistic.  Moreover, I disagree with this on the account of personal freedom, where one should live according to one’s wishes.  Not to mention, humans cannot live at all times in a manner that does not “waste time.”

In these explanations I do not believe that society could function in this manner.  Personal freedom cannot be undermined in a perfect society, where it would certainly not stand.  There are additional problems to More’s society, especially in regards to the “hidden” rocks and other features.  In this era, of course, modern warfare would have no problems taking care of a lesser civilization, even in the case of the perceived advantages of the island’s fortifications.

Conclusion

More’s Utopia thus presents a society and place in which perfection is directed towards.  However, More fails in a number of ways that are either unreasonable or impossible.  Of course there are philosophical problems with More’s society as well, as perfect states are not conceived and built with every perfect option in the design.  Perhaps it is good that More’s Utopia was written for different purposes.