![]() ![]() Money is abolished in Utopia, and night pots are made of gold.Ĭitizens choose officials in Utopia for high positions, public authorities are only selected among scientists. Slave labor is better than the execution of people. Slaves can be citizens convicted of adultery (the victim of a family had the right to get a divorce), or foreigners who were exiled to Utopia or were captured there (More 146, 2000). Thomas More could not decide what to do with those types of labor that in any society were considered dirty (for example, if you have to deal with garbage), and that is why the author introduces the institution of slavery. The exception is possible only if a person has extraordinary achievements in science or art. Ordinary types of work citizens execute consecutively, one by one. Six hours is enough to serve for all social needs because the requirements of individuals are minimal: free time is given for spiritual development and education, and, for example, everyone’s clothes are the same (More 88, 2000). Utopians work three hours before lunch and three hours after. Utopia is an absolute monarchy with a Council of elders. Health is one of the chief pleasures beauty, strength and agility are also appreciated. Citizens help the weak and take care of the sick. The life of utopians consists of virtue and the pleasures of body and spirit. If foreigners visit them, the citizens of Utopia get acquainted with their culture and sciences in detail, quickly comprehend them and develop them at home. In science and art, utopians have reached great achievements. All utopians are primarily concerned with spiritual development, but do not forget to work effectively for the benefit of society (More 90, 2000). ![]() Utopia is a country located on an island that has ever existed, but people have not gotten to it yet however, theoretically, they can. Everyone can take as much as needed: everything is available in abundance. In the centre of each town, there is a market where goods and food are taken. If the cities are overpopulated, the citizens of Utopia are relocated to colonies and vice versa. If someone does not enjoy the family business, this person is transferred to the family which is engaged in a more suitable craft. Moreover, everyone learns some craft that is passed down from one generation to another. All men and women in the country are engaged in agriculture. In the “family,” there are ten to sixteen adults who are engaged in a particular craft.Īround the cities village families live, where each citizen is obliged to work for at least two years. Utopia includes fifty-four cities, each of which is home to six thousand so-called “families” (More 79, 2000). In the second part of the book, the author tells about the structure of the fantastic island of Utopia, where it is possible to build an ideal state. The humanist More opposes Royal despotism, wars and the death penalty. In the first part of Utopia, Thomas More criticises modern England: especially the ruining of peasants, which the rich were pushing from the land and giving fields for pasture for sheep. Further, the reasons for this argument will be discussed and cases that can support the assertion of Utopia as being both an attractive and unattractive place to live for different citizens will be presented. The comment presents an issue of Utopia, the controversy of More’s discussion that affects the commonwealth of the state that will be analysed to argue that the statement is true. This paper will discuss the statement, “The commonwealth of Utopia turns out to be a highly attractive place in some ways, but a highly unattractive one in others” (More 12, 2000). Nevertheless, there are issues raised in Utopia that might influence the contemporary state of people’s life. The commonwealth that is described in the book seems to be beneficial for people, community and a state. The impetus for the writing of this book were undoubtedly More’s impressions from the complicated village life in England and the moral state of urban society, distorted by excessive interference of academic philosophy. “A truly golden little book, no less beneficial than entertaining, of a republic’s best state and the new island Utopia,” as More first named it (Achten et al. Utopia, published in 1516, gave the name to the whole genre. However, More used The Republic only as the foundation for his book, and was concerned more about the nascent industrial capitalism and its consequences. There is no doubt that in his book More relies on Plato’s work The Republic, which he had always been fond of since student days. Utopia, written by ancient politician Thomas More, is a book illustrating the ideal model of the state and the structure of society, for which all people and nations should strive. More’s Commonwealth and its Controversy. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |