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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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