Sir Thomas More's Utopia (Book 2 specifically) focuses a large deal on the idealistic society, a part of an individual's imagination where everything is perfect. In the particular society More describes, the citizens of Utopia are all treated equally and find true happiness in their lives on the island. Although More may be right with this statement, after reading, I found it hard to believe that a life where everything and everyone is the same can bring true happiness to each individual.
This got me thinking about individuality and the role it plays in our lives today, as well as More's Utopia. Today, people strive to be unique and individual. Currently looking for a job after graduation, I want to make sure that I stand out to a recruiter. Most of the time this happens because I hold a specific quality that the other applicants do not. This individualism would not exist in the utopia described in our reading for this week. More states that every person receives the same rights, freedoms, jobs, education, etc. - there is no differentiation among the people. It seems that the narrator's version of pure happiness is when everyone is the same; however, I see this as more of an opinion, then a true fact.
During college, everyone always says it is a chance to find yourself. Many freshmen come into college without knowing what they want to do with their lives, may not know how to handle difficult situations, and have never had to pave a way for themselves without their parents input. Within the four years at school, each student is given a chance to grow and figure out what works for them as an individual. Rewind to the time of this utopia and it would be hard for a young person to find their own way when there truly aren't any options for them to follow. Each citizen continues down the same path as the last one did to make everything in their lives equal. Having young men and women get married at a certain age limits their time to explore their individuality and become an "us" before it can become just "me."
My final thoughts after reading More's work was: can there really be a utopia? Personally, I don't think so. Because we are fortunate enough to live in a society where individualism is important, and never lost, each person has their own perception of what a utopia would be like. Some people would be willing to sacrifice their rights and personal feelings for the good of the cause, while others would believe in themselves before the masses.
I'm focusing on your last statement which makes a great deal of sense, but also gives me some confusion. I'm so grateful to live in a country where individuality is praised, but there are so many other countries that have this "Utopian" quality to them where there is no individuality. That being said, you last sentence about people giving up their rights for the good of the cause - I don't know what the good of the cause is. What would type of "good cause" would make me give up my individuality, and my freedom? And I'm not just singling you out, because I know everyone talks about the good of the cause, but I just want to know what it would be. Personally, I wouldn't want to sacrifice my freedom for anything. What good is there without freedom?
ReplyDeleteI digress...
I agree with you, though, that there couldn't be a Utopia in our society, but I'm sure there could be in other places.
I think that an example of "a good cause" would be the safety of one's family. In many places in the Middle East, women don't have the same rights as men. In Iran, it is now required that women wear burkas when in public. I have read articles about women in Iran that feel they have been striped of their individuality, since they are restricted in yet another thing. In a few cases of women speaking out against this, their families were punished along with them.
ReplyDeleteIn this case, women sacrificed their freedom for the safety of their families, and themselves.
Jennah makes a good point about a good cause being the safety of one's family. I know I would personally sacrifice my freedom for the safety of my family and for the ones I care about. Personal sacrifices are made daily and although I would not want to give up my freedom, I would do it for those whom I care about, just as I would want to sacrifice my life to save a family member.
ReplyDeleteI think you make some great points in this rumination. When writing mine for this week i focused a lot on the same ideas as you and completely agree with what you are saying. Although it sounds great to live in a society where everyone is treated equally and peace and happiness are seen throughout, what these people fail to see is the importance of individuality and how important it is to so many of us to be unique and have our own thoughts and opinions.
ReplyDeleteLike others have mentioned, I think this is a great rumination with some really interesting points! I completely agree with you; I do not think there can be a "utopia." This is due to the mere fact that we are all individuals, with individual ideas of an utopia
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of the comments above, but I particularly liked the note you ended on. I agree that with the way our society's developed, there could never be a true Utopia. I don't know if it's simply human nature, but I definitely think it has a lot to do with our society and how it conditions us. We are taught to value our individuality from a very young age, and I don't think it would be possible for our society to surrender our individuality as a whole. Great rumination!
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