Living conditions in the world today are governed
by the rights that individuals are granted in
various parts of the world. On the whole, one
can easily observe that individuals are not really
as free as they would like to be, and all that
governments claim to provide in terms of freedom
of the individual may not really be true. This
is true to say due to the fact that individual
freedom is based on the right of individuals to
follow whatever direction s/he chooses. This means
that he is even free to worship material gods.
However, this does not mean that s/he can propagate
it, as one may be persecuted because of such action.
In light of the manner in which Utopia would allow
one to practice and preach his or her religion,
this is apparently unfair.
For example, this is true to remark regarding
‘devil-worshipping’; those who would
like to worship the devil are not permitted to
do so. If they are found in such practices they
are most likely to be persecuted. How then is
utopia to be implemented? If this consideration
is too far into the negative side of contemporary
thinking, then it is worth considering religious
freedom regarding grand religions that are around
today. An example of this is the practice and
preaching of Islam. In this consideration too,
utopia can barely be observed in many countries
today. This is particularly worth asserting due
to the fact that September 11 2001 created an
enormous impact on every one. Islam is blamed
for what happened, consensually speaking. However,
does this mean that all terrorists are Muslims?
How is one to practice one’s beliefs without
being hounded by the law or people in general?
Sir Thomas More is very much known for his work on Utopia. His classical work on Utopia is a satire on life towards the fictitious islands of Utopia. Here he showed that the interest of an individual belonging to the island is subordinate to those of the society at large. He produced beautiful fantasy where humanity and equality is at its highest peek where love prevails for all and no place of hatred, dishonesty and no evils exist in the society. According to him, all people must “do some work, universal education and religious toleration are practiced, and all land is owned in common.”Basically these conditions are in contrast to the English society of that time. The society of England in that era was a not at harmony and full of chaos. There was a lot of gender discrimination as well as class differences. The working class and the women were treated as an outcast with in the society and no matter how hardworking they were, they never got just rewards to their hard works. So the society lacks self harmony as well as an integrated society as well as many other key elements that were produced in the literary imaginary utopian world of More.
Consequently the literary imaginary of utopia
also was a symbol introducing a harmonized society
including environment as an integrated totality
with a balance of the three concepts of Harmony
with in the society as well as harmony with the
self, balance between the society and nature,
the integration of the individuals into the society
as well as the power of reason to order and understand
the world and at last the fundamental communal
nature of human beings. These were the elements
he imagined and believed to be in a society, which
is an ideal state where the evils of any society
has no place to exist.
Therefore, utopia of Thomas More, is supposed
to be an ideal state where all social evils are
nullified. However, observing the world, one may
have alternative views. This is because religious
freedom has not really resulted in peace and the
alleviation of poverty and the like. The Pullman
strike is an example of the manner in which poverty
and suffering may not be supported when really
needed. This is to assert the manner in which
the working class was inhibited through federal
action, and not allowed to succeed in achieving
the utopia they endeavored. It “helped
split the movement, but also raised the doubts
about the power of unskilled workers to win their
demands”. This is true to say because
of the fact that the poverty alleviation in their
ranks that they fought for was not achieved. This
is worth considering in the light of More’s
views as being regarded as inspirational and revolutionary.
The classic piece of More, is considered to be
an inspirational force to bring revolutionary
reforms to the contemporary society with out directing
the means and purpose of effectiveness to it.
Thus it has been said to be more inspirational
than practical in approach. More’s utopia
lacks classes; the working style was presented
on the basis of equality providing same rights
to all. However, an obligation for all people
to work for minimum six hours a day is presented
with the idea that every person has different
kind of skills and expertise and should give the
best of it. However, the working hour is negotiated
by keeping in mind the nature of the work that
how much hard work it demands as compared to those
which does not need much physical work Either
it is an agricultural society or any other form,
balance is maintained in not only the working
hours and rights but also equality was assured
in the clothing as well. Where comparing this
with the contemporary world, people earn according
to the efforts and time they give.
The more quality work with quantity the more
we earn. This develops competition and motivates
the workers to do more hard work so the idea of
equal working hours and equal rewards do not match
to the utopian world presented by Thomas More.
Furthermore, the Utopians use to wear very simple
cloths so all can feel same and were easy to afford
for all members of the society. Apart from this
the utopians presented by More use to change their
residence every ten years and also eat together
at the mess halls. This was to ensure equality
and balance and to give all the chance to enjoy
life on basis of equality. As he says, “Since
there is very little distinction in occupation,
dress, lodging, riches, or use of free time, pride
is almost non-existent in Utopia.”
But in today’s world this is simply impossible
due to the emerging trends of globalization, advancement
of technology and speedy competition, people have
become interest oriented. Thus every person is
busy to achieve his personal goals, wealth and
fame. No one has much time to even look at its
neighbor.
Moreover, the government like caring for the sick,
travel, marriage as well as other social and economic
activities, very carefully supervises the various
activities. It was strictly maintained that people
get complete security in there social as well
as economic rights as well as all other rights.
Love is the key spread in the utopian society
where good is done due to the natural environment
and humanity is best exercised by all means. “Though
they are faithful and persuaded to the truths
of their religion nonetheless they would abandon
it for one that could be proved better.”
So he believed to create such an environment,
which due to its very nature bind the society
with love and develop harmony and balance in the
society. Again this utopian fantasy of More is
not a practical approach according to days world.
Love is just an emotional thing and today only
interest works, logic and practicality counts
not love. In utopia, Love is the main source of
harmony but presently wealth is the only source
of harmony as love cannot feed an empty stomach
but money can do.
Another example is the religion of Thomas More’s Utopia is an imaginary world set against the evils of the contemporary society where a balance is created in the economic, social as well as religious aspect of life. But the shortcoming here is the utopians have a life that is self-limited. Analyzing the whole idea of More’s Utopia, a question comes to our mind that is the idea of “self-limited” wants desirable or feasible? It confuses our understanding as the world of Utopia is full of imagination and fantasies and life seems to be very much harmonized, and a balance is maintained in all the aspects of life among all the people of the society. But practically it cannot be desirable to live a life with self-limited wants because in utopia there is not much awareness and realization of the difference of inner qualities of every person and the many other creative and positive aspects of real life as well as the other economic benefits one can make by its personal efforts and mental skills. So one cannot limit the inner wants to itself and live for long maintaining the balance, equality and harmony within the society. No one can restrict the inner wants for long and then it is obvious that when people start expressing their inner desires and start struggling to achieve their inner wants then the whole idea of societal balance, equality and harmony prevailing under the utopian island will come to its end. Therefore, living a life that is self limited to is just a dream not practically desirable. Hence, to a significant extent, Thomas More’s thoughts on Utopia are not all defensible.
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