#Utopia by thomas more free

They pursue philosophy and religion in their quest for virtue and contemplation of the truth, respectively. Pride is replaced by spiritual fulfillment. Their desire to have the best garden, the most pleasing sanctuary, is perhaps the only competition among families. For similar reasons, each house has a large garden into which much love and leisure time goes. There is music, a pleasure to the mind and body. Thus freed from worrying about food, bills, and other necessities, they enjoy such physical pleasures as fine dining, eating, drinking, and merrymaking (though without alcohol). More believes that money, a symbolic capital that people desire, is the problem, and so Utopia has no money or capital. There can be no better good than striving for the maximum happiness of all, at the least cost or disadvantage to oneself and society. For this kind of vice there is no room whatsoever in the Utopian way of life.'(2) Lack of pride rids Utopia of class and potential social discord, for a commonwealth without pride is like a single united family.Īn even division of labor and a lack of pride clears the way for life's pleasures. Only human pride glories in surpassing others in conspicuous consumption. As Hythloday says: 'Men and animals alike are greedy and rapacious from fear of want. More saw no benefit to the common good if peasant labor benefited only a very small minority.Īs a classless society cannot have pride, Utopians consider it a social vice and pass this view on to their children at an early age. If poverty were to be excluded from Utopia, luxury must suffer the same fate. More was most likely revolted by the luxury of sixteenth-century Europe's ruling class, which he saw as a result of the peasantry's impoverishment. One of More's reasons for suggesting a Utopia was to end exploitation. Learning is valued and respected as a means of fully developing one's specific capacities, not as an indication of social standing. Specialists are not isolated, but rather leaders in an institution in which all can participate. Their power derives from-and can be removed by-the people. The syphogrants and the prince are elected autocrats. Utopia's separate groups (e.g., magistrates and the prince, priests and intellectuals) are not a social or economic class. If an excessive surplus is produced, a holiday is declared so that no one works without purpose. 'No one will have to do this hard work against his will for more than two years, but many of them ask to stay longer because they take a natural delight in farm life.'(1) This ensures Utopia's food supply and gives everyone access to civilized life. Everyone learns the rudiments of agriculture to better serve the common good. Utopia's collective agriculture displays the division of labor.

#Utopia by thomas more free

Since there is little distinction in occupation, dress, lodging, riches, or use of free time, pride is almost non-existent. Hereditary distinctions are unknown, for children move from household to household, depending on which skill they want to learn. To prevent ostentation, Utopians exchange homes every 10 years and eat in mess halls. Finer material would give no better protection from the cold or make people appear better dressed. This creates the same conditions for everyone and ensures ample supplies to suppress the animal fear of want.Īll clothing is plain, simple, and designed for utility and practicality. As Utopia is an agricultural society, all people work the land. In More's classless society, everyone does the same work, is equal, has the same rights, and must work at least 6 hours every day at whatever they do best. What values do they hold in common, and which ideals are unique? Life in Utopia Hythloday's fantasy island draws heavily on the Greek republic, and yet influenced Marx. In its midst is Sir Thomas More's Utopia, which links ancient and modern Utopias. Socialist ideals have appeared in literature from Plato to Marx.