Morailty and Free Will Sacrificed
In Thomas More’s Utopia, Raphael Nonsenso paints for the audience a picture of what seems to be a smooth-running, ideal society. With a system for everything, a schedule for every citizen’s day, and seemingly simple solutions for numerous life problems, Utopian life may appear flawless. After all, who wouldn’t want to live in a society where the methods of daily life were well-planned, tried and true?
Taking a deeper look at Utopian society, however, can reveal many of its flaws. Although the author does not directly address this in the text, it can be implied that the Utopian society was one that strove for strict uniformity and perhaps even perfection. Because man is fallen, however, a quest of perfection is a hopeless one. In fact, there are many aspects of Utopia that appear either shockingly inhumane or prone to robbing citizens of their own free will. Based on these examples throughout the text, it can be said that the Utopians were willing to trade both free will and morality in order to obtain the ideal society, however, in doing so, their society became flawed.
One of the first examples of imperfection we see in Utopia is when Raphael describes work and rest within the island. Citizens are on a strict schedule when it comes to laboring; each is required to retire and wake at a set time each day (More, 56), and all are forced to learn a trade and farm, even children who are required to do so for their education (More, 55). Raphael describes how if one becomes idle during work hours, government officials known as Stywards force them to resume their labor until the day’s work hours are completed (More, 56). While Raphael makes clear that the common workforce of Utopian society should in no way be compared to slavery, it is easy to see that citizens are dictated when it comes to occupation. There is very little, if any, room for free will within Utopian work laws, and no chance for personal monetary advancement as each citizen is required to work the type of same job and hours as everyone else.
Another example of warped perfection is seen in the home life of Utopians. Raphael describes how it is the duty of the women to take turns providing meals for all Utopians and how each meal is proportioned for each person, so that everyone receives the same amount of food (More, 62-63). Perhaps a more eye-opening example of the Utopians’ quest for perfection is their system of marriage. Raphael describes how bridegrooms are encouraged to view their prospective brides stark naked before their wedding. He makes the claim that when a woman is covered, her imperfections are as well, and that it is the bridegroom’s right to view her completely uncovered in order to decide whether or not he wishes to continue to marriage. “You judge the whole woman from a few square inches of her face...and then proceed to marry her—at the risk of finding her most disagreeable...” Raphael explains “No doubt you needn’t worry, if moral character is the only thing that interests you...a beautiful body can be quite a useful addition to a beautiful soul”(More, 84). In the Utopians’ goal to have an ideal society, they sacrificed not only what is socially acceptable, but morally by forcing this method of marriage and placing more emphasis on physical appearance than moral character.
Perhaps the most obvious examples of sacrificing morality for potential perfection is seen in how Utopian society handles citizens either who break Utopian law or are too sick to work. Raphael makes clear that the punishment for major crimes in Utopia is slavery. He describes how it is viewed as far worse than capital punishment, and how at the same time, it also benefits Utopian society, as the criminals are forced to work for the city with no pay (More, 85). Utopians also have an unthinkable method of consulting those who are terminally ill. Raphael describes how the government officials and priests visit the sick and feed them the lie that their lives are worthless, that they have become a burden to those around them because they are unable to work. “If the patient finds these arguments convincing,” Raphael explains further “he either starves himself to death, or is given a soporific and put painlessly out of his misery...Officially sanctioned euthanasia is regarded as an honorable death…”(More, 83). From these two examples, audiences can clearly see how morality is traded for a solution to an issue. To punish a citizen with slavery is a brutal method, however, it is more brutal to encourage suicide to those who are suffering simply because they are unable to contribute to societal labor.
By the end of More’s text, audiences have likely discovered that Utopia is not a physical location. It exists merely through More’s descriptive story in order to challenge people to think about their lives and encourage them to avoid blindly conforming to standards that may not be good. However, there are many valuable lessons that readers can learn from on a more personal level throughout the book. The Utopians were willing to trade free will and morality for what they thought could become a perfectly balanced, ideal society. In the same way, it can be tempting for us to abandon what we know is right for the sake of gaining something we want. It is important for us to remember that we should never forsake morality for what we consider ideal or convenient at the present time.
Taking a deeper look at Utopian society, however, can reveal many of its flaws. Although the author does not directly address this in the text, it can be implied that the Utopian society was one that strove for strict uniformity and perhaps even perfection. Because man is fallen, however, a quest of perfection is a hopeless one. In fact, there are many aspects of Utopia that appear either shockingly inhumane or prone to robbing citizens of their own free will. Based on these examples throughout the text, it can be said that the Utopians were willing to trade both free will and morality in order to obtain the ideal society, however, in doing so, their society became flawed.
One of the first examples of imperfection we see in Utopia is when Raphael describes work and rest within the island. Citizens are on a strict schedule when it comes to laboring; each is required to retire and wake at a set time each day (More, 56), and all are forced to learn a trade and farm, even children who are required to do so for their education (More, 55). Raphael describes how if one becomes idle during work hours, government officials known as Stywards force them to resume their labor until the day’s work hours are completed (More, 56). While Raphael makes clear that the common workforce of Utopian society should in no way be compared to slavery, it is easy to see that citizens are dictated when it comes to occupation. There is very little, if any, room for free will within Utopian work laws, and no chance for personal monetary advancement as each citizen is required to work the type of same job and hours as everyone else.
Another example of warped perfection is seen in the home life of Utopians. Raphael describes how it is the duty of the women to take turns providing meals for all Utopians and how each meal is proportioned for each person, so that everyone receives the same amount of food (More, 62-63). Perhaps a more eye-opening example of the Utopians’ quest for perfection is their system of marriage. Raphael describes how bridegrooms are encouraged to view their prospective brides stark naked before their wedding. He makes the claim that when a woman is covered, her imperfections are as well, and that it is the bridegroom’s right to view her completely uncovered in order to decide whether or not he wishes to continue to marriage. “You judge the whole woman from a few square inches of her face...and then proceed to marry her—at the risk of finding her most disagreeable...” Raphael explains “No doubt you needn’t worry, if moral character is the only thing that interests you...a beautiful body can be quite a useful addition to a beautiful soul”(More, 84). In the Utopians’ goal to have an ideal society, they sacrificed not only what is socially acceptable, but morally by forcing this method of marriage and placing more emphasis on physical appearance than moral character.
Perhaps the most obvious examples of sacrificing morality for potential perfection is seen in how Utopian society handles citizens either who break Utopian law or are too sick to work. Raphael makes clear that the punishment for major crimes in Utopia is slavery. He describes how it is viewed as far worse than capital punishment, and how at the same time, it also benefits Utopian society, as the criminals are forced to work for the city with no pay (More, 85). Utopians also have an unthinkable method of consulting those who are terminally ill. Raphael describes how the government officials and priests visit the sick and feed them the lie that their lives are worthless, that they have become a burden to those around them because they are unable to work. “If the patient finds these arguments convincing,” Raphael explains further “he either starves himself to death, or is given a soporific and put painlessly out of his misery...Officially sanctioned euthanasia is regarded as an honorable death…”(More, 83). From these two examples, audiences can clearly see how morality is traded for a solution to an issue. To punish a citizen with slavery is a brutal method, however, it is more brutal to encourage suicide to those who are suffering simply because they are unable to contribute to societal labor.
By the end of More’s text, audiences have likely discovered that Utopia is not a physical location. It exists merely through More’s descriptive story in order to challenge people to think about their lives and encourage them to avoid blindly conforming to standards that may not be good. However, there are many valuable lessons that readers can learn from on a more personal level throughout the book. The Utopians were willing to trade free will and morality for what they thought could become a perfectly balanced, ideal society. In the same way, it can be tempting for us to abandon what we know is right for the sake of gaining something we want. It is important for us to remember that we should never forsake morality for what we consider ideal or convenient at the present time.
Abigail, I love the topic you wrote about in this essay. The way in which you artfully wrote about Thomas More’s Utopia, and their goal for seeming perfection throughout the book. I am in complete agreement with you on the points appearing to be a bit unfair in their thoughts and ways. I also thought that your opinions on the people of Utopia seeming to be giving up their morals to uphold their level of morality was well worded.
ReplyDeleteHey Abigail! Reading one of your essays is always like talking with a good friend over coffee. I’m very glad there is somebody who can write down my thoughts on More’s Utopia in an appealing way. I think that your main point throughout—that in each Utopian method, morality is traded for a solution to an issue—is on of the best interpretations of More’s main point I've heard. There are so many problems we have in our lives which could be solved simply by letting our morals slide a little (my desire to eat an exorbitant amount of sour candies could be easily satisfied). I can tell we were disgusted by many of the same practices in Utopia, such as their marriage and end-of-life customs, and I would also love to hear your thoughts on the Utopian treatment of the family (that was my essay’s focus).
ReplyDeleteHi Abigail! I really enjoyed your essay! I particularly enjoyed the fact you mentioned us as being fallen men. It is very true that because we are fallen, perfection is near impossible for us to strive for. We as humans are naturally imperfect so in Utopia, where perfection is seemingly idolized, we would not fit in well! I also was particularly interested when you mentioned the marriage system of Utopia. Maybe the men selecting women of particular beauty standards could be, in a way, selective breeding. This would provide the most beautiful people for seemingly the most beautiful society. Good work on your essay I thoroughly enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteHere’s how I imagine C.S. Lewis would respond to your essay:
ReplyDeleteWell done, Abigail! I have often thought about what constitutes an “ideal society.” Your essay about sacrificing morality to create the perfect society, which is demonstrated in Utopia by Thomas More, makes me think of my own novel, Out of the Silent Planet.
When I created the planet Malacandra for my story, I had a Utopian-like community in mind. However, unlike the characters in More’s Utopia, the creatures on Malacandra do not abandon morality in search of the perfect society. In fact, Malacandra’s society is ideal because they value morality.
In your paper, you explain how the Utopians abide by a strict work schedule, and they also encourage people who are too sick to work to commit suicide. Utopian authorities convince the sick to either “starve [themselves] to death,” or they are “given a soporific and put painlessly out of [their] misery” (More 83).
On the contrary, the creatures I created to live on Malacandra value human life and individuality. When the main character in my story tells the sorns, creatures that live on Malacandra, about wars, slavery, and other tragedies on Earth, the sorns explain that humans are corrupt because “[Earth] [has] no Oyarsa” (Lewis 102). Unfortunately, humans on the “silent planet” do not follow a higher power. The sorns further explain that mankind is corrupt because “every one of them wants to be a little Oyarsa himself” (Lewis 102). These creatures do not understand humans' greed or selfishness because they believe all life is precious.
While an ideal society is not possible in our fallen world, looking at More’s Utopia against the backdrop of my novel, Out of the Silent Planet, demonstrates how important it is to follow God and value human life. Not only does one live with others in harmony, but he can live a happy and fulfilled life.
Lewis, C. S. Space Trilogy: Book 1; Out of the Silent Planet. Scribner Classics, 1938.
More, Thomas, and Paul Turner. Utopia. Penguin Books, 2003.