Book II

Things in More's Utopia that I like:

• All the laws in each of the large and well built cities are the same.

I just like the idea of consistency in every providence of a nation. That way all of its citizens are abiding by the same code of ethics.

• Once a year, three of the wisest Senators go to the country's chief city to discuss concerns.

Yay democracy! And it isn't a daily rambling of problems that never get solved. This is a purposeful council. I also like their rule of not debated or deciding on an issue presented that day. That makes a lot of sense to avoid rash and hasty decisions.

• This society is takes care that no man may live idle.

I really love this. Every person is provided for, because every person provides. More's utopia is a self-sufficient and self-sustaining society. It gives every person a role, although not unique, but important.

• The biblical family philosophy of wives serving their husbands and children their parents.

In today's society, this structure is considered sexist. However, I believe it has some valuable benefits and I like that More has set up a family hierarchy for the society so that every family run in the efficient, consistent manner.

• That there is no person living in poverty or excess.

It seems so perfect, (which I guess is why its called a Utopia) but I really like that life is lived simply and no person is greedy or no person goes without the necessary elements for survival.


Things in More's Utopia I don't like:

• WHY DOESN'T ANYONE WANT ANYTHING?!

I know I said I like simplicity, but everyone in his society seems SO BORING. Desire doesn't have to be greed. Why can't an individual want something more that they need. And how do they determine what an individual needs? Are they all the same? Which brings to my next dislike.

• There is no room for creativity or recreation in this society.

Everyone does the same thing. They work at the same times, eat at the same times, and do everything on a schedule. Everything about this society is regulated. This lacks freedom in many aspects and the thing that I hate that it stifles is the most is individualism. In every great musical, there is an individual who faces adverse circumstances, but he still has his own intuition, dreams, and motivations. You can't have that in this utopia and you therefore cannot base a musical off of his society and therefore I do not like it.

Book I

"I do not mean that you should be a slave to any king, but only that you should assist them, and be useful to them."

I like that he says this right after Raphael says I should not enslave myself to any king whatsoever. It takes the tyranny away from the situation to reveal a sense of community in this type of society. Individuals would offer their talents and skills to be helpful to the leadership of the society.

"Where virtue hath its due reward, and yet there is such an equality, that every man lives in plenty."

I really like the idea of a society that aknowledges and embraces this statement.

Give preference to human law over divine.

I don't know that I agree with this as I believe God's laws are more valuable than human laws.

A perfect society is for all and not just for one.

It's not really a utopic society if it doesn't fit for everyone. That would be more one person's dream.

Capital punishment is immoral to use so frequently and goes against divine law.

I agree and disagree with this statement. I think frequent use of capital punishment could be considered immoral, however capital punishment as a whole may or may not be looked at like that.

Kings should improve their kingdom and not try to expand.

I like this statement because it encourages rulers to be content with their kingdom and to seek good and improvement within it. Rather than seeking to always gain more territory, they can focus on the welfare of their people.

A prince should take more care of his people than himself.

I really just like the servant leadership mentality. I think it makes for an excellent leadership structure and forms a good nature within a nation's people.