Utopia: concepts, history, and philosophical implications

¶ … Utopia, Thomas More presents his own concept of what communal living should be in the most ideal setting in the 'ideal society.' More's communal aspects of his utopian plan include the premise that there should be no private property among the citizens of Utopia. Apart from depriving one's self from private property, human beings under the utopian condition also shows love for nature -- that is, people constantly commune with nature and recognize their importance in the establishment of a healthy and efficient society. The utopian society also practices electoral activities, a process that is based on representativeness and freedom of human choice to elect their leader in the society. All of these characteristics of communal living in the utopian society demonstrate a path towards equality, that is, the establishment of an egalitarian society.

In Book 1 of "Utopia," More presents three arguments against the ideology of communism, which are identified as follows: (1) the abolition of private property, (2) creation of socialism or a planned economy, and (3) non-subsistence to the principles of capitalism. Although in More's discourse he presents an opposing view to these features of communism, it becomes evident that he assents to these premises through the character of Hythloday. For More, these principles of communism are favorable for the achievement of an egalitarian society. The abolition of private property ensures that people can have equal means and tools used for producing people's basic commodities and needs, thereby eliminating the risk of creating a division and oppression among people as a result of the ownership and non-ownership of these means of production. A planned economy is linked with the abolition of private property, putting the role of the government as the primary regulator and central provider of goods and services needed by the society. Lastly, the abolition and non-subsistence to the principles of capitalism leads to the reinforcement of a communal society. This also eliminates the emergence of class conflict as a result of the inherent class division that develops from capitalism.

The moral philosophy of the Utopians is primarily based on intellectual development and achievement of reason or rationalization. For them, virtue is the achievement of the common good through the equal provision of the "foods of the mind." For the author, virtue is achieved when there is human happiness, and happiness is generated through acquired knowledge and skills in life. Thus, the provision of basic education services is imperative among Utopians in order to inculcate in the minds of the children the greater meaning of virtue and feelings or emotions among human beings. Thus, virtue and happiness is only achieved when the individual is able to discover his/her true self and able to realize his/her potentials and limitations as an thinking and rational being.