Utopia

a political romance, written by Sir Thomas More. It was printed in the Latin tongue and appeared in 1516. It was translated in 1551 and again, this time by Bishop Burnet, in 1683. Utopia is considered the source of modern socialistic writings. The author did not consider it wise to father his own ideas. The romance appeared as an account by Raphael Hythloday of a country called Utopia, which he had visited while on a journey with Vespucius to the New World. Utopia is Greek for "no place." The conditions described as prevailing in Utopia were regarded by Englishmen as possibly ideal but not practical. For this reason suggestions for reforms that are unlikely to be made are called utopian. As a matter of fact many of the notions suggested in More's Utopia were eminently practical and are now recognized as such. Among these utopian ideas which impressed the mythical travelers so greatly was a requirement that all save the aged and the infirm labor six hours daily; that all goods and all property should be owned in common; that people should choose their homes every ten years by lot; that people should dine together in large halls; that there should be no money; that gold and silver be considered the basest of metals and be degraded to the meanest uses; that personal adornment be regarded as degrading and childish; and that priests be few and only those reverenced for personal sanctity and courage in time of war. A notable feature of Utopian society was universal religious toleration. The Utopians held that religious belief is a matter of bringing up and one of private concern. There were twenty-four cities in Utopia--equal in extent. The government was directed largely by a council of three members from each city. Criminals were enslaved and required to perform toilsome and disagreeable tasks. See More; Sir Thomas