Definition of Utopia by Phyllis Tipton

        Utopia is derived from two Greek words. Eutopia which means good place and outopia which means no place (Targowski, 1997). Sir Thomas More, a 16th century writer and assistant to England’s King Henry the VIII, is credited to having coined the word utopia. In More’s novel, Utopia, a seasoned traveler, Rapheal Hythloday, describes this wondrous island. Some of the earliest thoughts about utopia are credited to Plato. In his 360 B.C. novel, The Republic, several characters including Socrates discuss the ideal state (Jowett, 1998). In the 19th century, Edward Bellamy authored, Looking Backward: from 2000 to 1887, which is considered to be one of the most celebrated utopian novels of its time. Writer Henry David Thoreau also has contributed thoughts on utopia. For Christianity and other religions, utopia is considered to be heaven.
        Through the readings of More, Plato and others, one can identify several of the characteristics of utopia. Communal living and a money less economy are vital parts. In the More novel, gold, silver, and other precious metals are used to make common household items, shackles to hold slaves and playthings for infants. Work is evenly divided and difficult and unpleasant duties are rotated. Thus, citizens of utopia live and work harmoniously together. The citizens of utopia have high morals and all their behaviors are guided by these morals. Pride has no place in an utopian society. Leadership is given to the wisest and most experienced individuals. According to Plato’s Republic, it is a place where kings are philosophers and philosophers are kings. There is conformity in utopia. In More’s novel there were 54 cities, but each was identical in language, customs, institutions, and law. Interestingly though, individuals were free to follow the religious belief of their choice.
        Utopia is an ideal place and in which all of its residents act accordingly to the highest standards of morality. All individuals exist for the common good. While we should always strive for the common good, we must realize that individual feelings, desires, ambitions, needs, and beliefs will always keep us from being a total utopian society. As Oscar Wilde once said, "A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at, for it leaves out the one country at which Humanity is always landing. And when Humanity lands there, it looks out, and seeing a better country, set sails. Progress is the realization of Utopias."

References

        Jowett, B. Translation of the Republic by Plato. Retrieved September 12, 2000 from the World Wide Web: http://classics.mit.edu//Plato/republic.html.

        More, T. (1979). Utopia. In M. H. Abrams (Ed.), The Norton Anthology of English Literature (4th ed. pp. 436-456). New York: W.W. Norton & Company. (Original work written 1514-1516).

        Targowki, H. W. (1997). Utopia. Retrieved September 12, 2000 from the World WideWeb: http://www.euro.net/mark-space/glosUtopia.html.