The Republic and Utopia essays

The Republic and Utopia essays The main features of Platos Republic and Thomas Mores Utopia can be outlined by examining their economic systems, laws and enforcement procedures, and their societal responsibilities. These three factors collectively considered as well as independently explored can bring light to their strength and weaknesses, characteristics and aspirations, and the overall desirability and pleasantness of life. Each single feature can only give a glimpse into these two Utopias, however, undivided these four topics put together can give an accurate representation to allow for comparison in both the lifestyle and functionality of both civilizations. When reading Utopia its not difficult to see where More picked up some of Platos writings. Both take a somewhat similar stance in their economic systems when it comes to the distribution of goods and the acquisition of wealth. In Mores Utopia, there is no currency except that which is controlled directly by the state and limited for the use in purposes such as war and the purchasing of iron. Platos Republic limits wealth with the bronze class and denies all material possessions from the Gold and Silver. Everything is publicly owned and shared communally in both Utopias. ...Where every man has a right to everything, they all know that if care is taken to keep the public stores full, no private man can want anything; for among them there is no unequal distribution, so that no man is poor, none in necessity; and though no man has anything, yet they are all rich; for what can make a man so rich as to lead a serene and cheerful life, free from anxieties. (More, Book II: Of the Religio ns of the Utopians) With the absence of money, the playing field would not only be level but completely equal in every sense. ...We must not let them be receivers of gifts or lovers of money, Plato wrote (Plato, Book 3). Both men agreed that money had the potential t...