Utopia

1. Peter and Thomas suggested to Raphael that he should seek out for jobs in the political field. Raphael replied, “Most people hang on to their property until they’re too old and ill to do so any longer- and even then they relinquish it with a very ill grace. But I shared out mine among my friends and relations when I was still young and healthy. I think they should be satisfied with that. They can hardly expect me to go to a stage further, and become a kings slave for their benefit” (More, p. 19). Utopia demonstrated a world where there would be no divided class or wealth. I believe that the idea of knowledge portraited here is something that is sharable and could be passed on completely and all truthfully, which is essential. This is interesting because the society depends heavily on education, “It’s part of every child’s education. They learn the principles of agriculture at school, and they’re taken for regular outings into the fields near the town, where they not only watch farm work being done, but also do some themselves, as a form of exercise” (More, p. 55). However, not everything should be learned in Utopia, as peoples’ emotions are disruptive. It is interesting to see Raphael suggest that education should be transparent and be taught freely.
2. Previously from Galen, I learned that those who chase after wealth, power, reputation, and recognition would never tell the truth. They will always be drowned in their avarice. Galen taught us that for men to be successful, they must desire to become a greater person, and reject the idea of greed as part of their life. Raphael told Peter that he didn’t want a political job, by stating that, “At present I live exactly as I please, which is more, I suspect, than the vast majority of court officials can say” (More, p. 10). Which Thomas replied, “My dear Raphael, you’re obviously not interested in money or power, and I couldn’t respect you more if you were the greatest king on earth” (More, p. 10). This refers back to Galen’s statement that, if a man wants to be powerful, they need to tell the truth and not choose greed over improvement.

1. he text mentioned that, “If the natives won’t do what they’re told, they’re expelled from the area marked out for annexation. If they try to resist, the Utopians declare war- for they consider war perfectly justifiable, when one country denies another its natural right to derive nourishment from any soil which the original owners are not using themselves, but are merely holding on to as a worthless piece of property” (More, p.60). Meanwhile, the text also mentioned that Utopians should stay neutral and avoid war or conflicts. What would justify Utopia to avoid conflict or not, and why could Utopia declare war and expel people for the sake of protection, while avoid information and conflict to protect themselves as well?
2. The text described that humans could live without many things that aren’t necessary. The text states, “Without iron human life is simply impossible, just as it is without fire or water- but we could easily do without silver and gold, if it weren’t for the idiotic concept of scarcity- value” (More, p. 66). I am wondering if such statement has changed due to  technology and scientific discoveries, and this statement could be altered. We used to live with many things that are essential but are now abandoned because of the birth of better replacements. We don’t need a lot of the things to stay alive, but should we sacrifice equality for efficiency, when efficiency could lead to innovation for better equality?

1. Has Utopia changed as of today?
2. Can Utopia be universal?