Random Thoughts on Random Words - Day 21 Utopia

 

Today, on the 21^st day of the challenge, I would like to discuss with readers  the interesting concept  of “Utopia”. The word was first coined by Sir Thomas More, (1477 - 1535), an English lawyer, statesman, writer to describe a perfect imaginary world. It is a basic human nature to not be  satisfied with the existing state of affairs and desire a better and more egalitarian form of society.  Utopia visualizes a society that is perfect and ideal, akin to the imaginary “garden of Eden” where all beings including the plants, animals and humans live in harmony without conflicts.

 The concept of Utopia is believed to have shaped books, philosophies and political movements as varied as Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe (Defoe's political philosophy with the emphasis on individualism), Mahatma Gandhi’s doctrine of passive resistance (nonviolent resistance) and the founding of the state of Pennsylvania (tolerance for all religions, a founding principle of Pennsylvania State.) Although Thomas More coined the word “Utopia”, the idea was mooted much earlier by Plato in the book “The Republic” in 380 BC wherein thoughts of his master Socrates are outlined. It speaks of a communistic, egalitarian city state ruled by philosopher kings called ‘guardians’. The guardians consist of both men and women.   

Every year the guardians leave the city for a wild sex orgy to beget children who would be brought up by the state. They do not know their real parentage and later become the new generation of guardians when they grow up. We can see here, a desire for an egalitarian society where no one has a privilege because of their parentage. In later years also, in the writings for a Utopian society, a desire is clearly visible to break down barriers such as rich - poor,  men - women, with everyone having an equal chance for a fulfilling life.  

One can see traces of the same philosophy in the “fraternal polyandry” that was practiced in parts of Kerala till the late 19^th century, wherein the parentage of the child was not known. One of the brothers in a family married and brought home a wife who would be the wife for all the brothers. The children born are treated as children of the family. They call all the male members as fathers (Raman father. Lakshman father) and everyone in the big family are treated in a just and equal manner.

In Thomas More’s Utopia, private property is abolished. Every three months, the people pile up loads of stuff in the market place; anyone can come along and take what they need.  The aim was to create a fair society, which did not benefit only the rich. The concept developed in the subsequent periods in history and was reflected in the books, and popular art forms. It got a fillip in the 17^th century when many Utopian societies were suggested, one of which was “Christianopolis”, mooted by German theologian mystic Johann Valentin Andrea  who advocated for a Christian Utopia. Perhaps the ideas of “Muslim state”, “nation without Jews”, “Hindu Rashtra” etc germinated and developed on these lines with each Utopian leader and their followers believing they would create/ form a community of the perfect and ideal society.

 

Italian writer and Dominican friar Thomas Campanella published his “City of the Sun”  sharing his ideas of an Utopian society in 1623. Then came the book called “New Atlantis” in 1627 written by polymath and Lord Chancellor of England Francis Bacon proclaiming science as the saviour. He talked of a tech-based utopia featuring aeroplanes and submarines.

We had Utopian concepts that suggested man should not be working at all. All the resources should be publicly available so that anyone can eat, drink and make merry as they please.  A Utopian community, Cockaygne was a land of no work, equality between men and women and no authority figures. It envisaged Free love in the society with Monks and nuns cavorting freely.

Some of the 19th-Century Utopian Communities in the United States were the following:

1. Brook Farm (1841-1846): The Transcendentalist Romance. Site of Brook Farm in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. ...

2. Fruitlands (1843-1844): The Farm without Farmers. ...

3.New Harmony (1825-1829): The Boatload of Knowledge. ...

4. Oneida (1848−1881): The Complex Marriage. ...

5. The Shakers (1745-): The Simple Life.

 Suffice it for us to understand for our purpose, that the various Utopian groups believed they had the “best interests “of the people when they set out to create ‘perfect’ communities.. The Osho community established in Pune and later in the Wasco county Oregon, US can be seen as one such  Utopian community that was aiming to create a perfect society for mankind. We also have the Auroville Village in Puducherry that seeks to have representatives of the whole world living in a self sufficient “meditation focused village” in harmony.

 Famous Utopia literature includes “Republic” by Plato, “New Atlantis” by Francis Bacon, “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift, “A Modern Utopia” by H,G,Wells, “City of the Sun” by Thomas Campanella, “Erewhon” by Samuel Butler, “We” by Yevgeny Zamyatin, “Island” by Aldous Huxley, “Ecotopia” by Ernest Callanbach and “News from Nowhere” by William Morris.

 

As we think of white, it’s very opposite black comes to mind as well. When we dwell on light, it is to be noted that it is followed by darkness. In being preoccupied by “our” Utopia, we may discount or be unaware that what we think as Utopia may not be “Perfect/ideal” in someone else’s eye or experience. An anti-Marxist, anti-Semitic and anti-democratic community may be seen as Utopia by Adolf Hitler, while it may be deemed as hell by others affected by its implications.

 

 This brings us to the idea of “Dystopia”. A dystopia (anti-utopia) is a fictional community or society that is undesirable or frightening. It is often treated as an  antonym of utopia. Many communities that we may want to create as Utopias may in realty turn out to be dystopia. Famous dystopia literature include "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, "The Children of Men"  by P.D. James, "We" by Yevgeni Zamiatin, "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess and "The Giver" by Lois Lowry.

 It is argued by some, that the concept of Utopia is necessary for improvement of the human condition. Yet, it is to be noted that there is an inherent contradictory nature in the very idea of utopia- One man’s food can be another man’s poison. If wrongly applied, it could have dangerous consequences. After all,   it is the imperfect humans who are aiming for perfection in terms of various dimensions such as personal, political, economic and social. Therefore, the  chances are high for a failure. It is likely to throw up repressive and overbearing systems, and end up as failed social experiments!

 

To my mind, instead of going about trying to"perfect" the world, we would all do well  to perfect ourselves first. After all, Utopia is seeking to have an egalitarian society. We are also contributing to the same objective when we, as individuals, treat everyone equally with love and respect.  When you interact with anyone, make sure you treat them well. Let the words that come out from your mouth be sweet as honey instead of harsh words. Smile more often than you frown; have compassion for others. When everyone focuses on himself / herself and become better human beings individually, as a collective, we become a harmonious loving community, which  is the very  objective of Utopia. 

Having said that, we can certainly take  inspiration from those Utopian communities that have survived the test of time (like Freetown Christiania, Copenhagen, & Open house colony, Dial house, Essex) and are doing yeomen service in society. At a time when Governments are failing and disappointing  citizens  repeatedly, one need not be surprised if the society takes on the role of taking care of itself by forming effective and harmonious communities, choosing not to depend on Governments formed though a dysfunctional political exercise. 

 Of course, we need to learn from the past experiences of the Utopian communities in order to avoid the pitfalls.  

NB: This is powered by Blog Chatter's # A2Z Challenge   Blogchatter A2Z Challenge 2021