Private property is a huge part of our society today and without it our world would be a different place. Raphael tells More "...as long as you have private property, and as long as money is the measure of all things, it is really not possible for a nation to be governed justly or happily" (p. 543). Do we have a nation that is governed justly or happily while simultaneously allowing the citizens to own private property? This isn't about the U.S. government and Democrat vs. Republican point of views. But think about it, it the United States governed justly? Just because we have the freedom to obtain and earn private property doesn't make our society unhappy and unjust in every aspect.
The argument of communal versus private property is throughout Utopia. Raphael believes in communal property. He believes that no one can "be happy where property is limited to a few, since those few are always uneasy..." (p. 543) and through this it is concluded that he wants to get rid of private property. Raphael continues on with the thoughts that human equality cannot be achieved where property belongs to individuals. Raphael has made it clear that if no one own property, that everyone would be equal and happy and able to get along. With private property remaining, society will be "oppressed by a heavy and inescapable burden of cares and anxieties" (p. 544).
Are people in the United States dealing with burdens of cares and anxieties because they may not have as much as their neighbor or celebrities they hear about on the news? Private property is important in a society. It allows people to express their inner person and makes people feel safe and important. Not everyone is able to own property and they still seem to get by day-to-day. Owning property does not make or break a person in American society, or does it?
Living in America, it opens the eyes of its people through the variety of people living in it. Every person has their own outlook and ambitions for life. Some people have a dream of becoming a teacher, others a surgeon, others writers, or maybe even a professional athlete. Would we all have the drive to reach our dreams if we all had communal property and no one was any different than the next person to come along? Private property allows individuals and families to become something better in life. If everyone was the same, did the same work, ate the same foods, and lived in the same places, as Utopia says we all should be, would it really be a just and happy society? I would consider moving out of Utopia society if one ever developed. I want to be an individual with my own aspirations, anxieties, and cares. I don't want to be the same as everyone else. Do you?
Interesting post! I think that Private Property goes hand in hand with the idea of the American Dream. People work hard for a place to hang their hat at the end of the day. They want something to call their own and to come back to. It's our culture to get our sights on something and work for it. That could mean being a doctor like you said, or even just working to get a new shirt. We would not be happy in the so called Utopian society. I don't think anyone would if they had ever experienced individuality at all. I guess it comes round circle, to the statement "you can't miss what you never had."
ReplyDeleteI definitely see the downfall of allowing people to have private property, but the alternative is entirely unrealistic and overlooks the benefits of allowing this private ownership. For example, private property allows the individual to feel as if they worked for something - imagine spending years in medical school and years later paying off loans and saving money so that you can have the house of your dreams. In this way, the incentive of private property provides the individual with a sense of accomplishment, a heightened education, and gives the society a well-learned practicing doctor to depend on.
ReplyDeleteInteresting rumination! When reading Utopia i felt that for the most part we seemed to focus on living in a perfect society, but i like where you went with it. I agree with you on this one that private property should most definitely be an option we should have. Having somewhere to call your own gives you a sense of security and peace of mind. Knowing that you can have time to yourself and do as you please in mind is extremely important and i am grateful to have it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting view point! I feel that our society would in fact be less orderly and happy if we were to adopt the Utopian lifestyle, and appreciate that you pointed out many of the reasons why this would be so. Individual accomplishment and satisfaction is a huge part of how we are motivated as human beings, and I can't imagine any good coming from taking that away from US citizens.
ReplyDeleteThis rumination was so interesting and outside the box..good job! I too, would not want to live in Utopia, if one were ever created. I think it would take away from who I am and my own personality and individualism. On the topic of private property, I agree with your thoughts, and I do not think it hurts a society. It allows people to set goals for themselves and feel accomplished. If there was nothing and we were all completely equal, would people be ambitious? They wouldn't want to work harder and try to create a better life, because they would be in an Utopian society and not think that life could be much better.
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