Impossible

Throughout this course, we learned of different Utopian concepts and ideals, different attempted Utopias, and a few Dystopias. As I was surprised at different levels of temporary success in attempted intentional communities and the sensible logic of different philosophers, I ended up questioning any possibility of a complete, lasting Utopia where everyone was happy and content with a full life. With all of the evidence I observed, I learned that Utopia, as a goal or a reality for the people populating this earth, is impossible due to the vast difference in human mindset and proven realities of human nature.

                Firstly, I believe that the different opinions of Utopian philosophers and executors are enough to prove the impossibility of lasting Utopia. We read about philosophers who had many different ideas and structural plans for their perfect Utopia. Further, the people who lived in any of the Utopias that became a brief reality also had different mindsets. This alone proves that Utopia cannot exist or won’t be able to sustain itself. Different opinions create conflicting interests, and if any of these ideas were perused for the masses, there would be dissent. In terms of actual history, the different ideas and plans of Utopians such as The Zoarites, The Shakers, The Harmonies and The Oneidas played a big role in dissolving their communities. As leaders passed or excitement died down in their histories, citizens of these communities had different ideas and plans they wanted to pursue, and as result, their communities slowly separated. Further, even as the Amish have continually been successful, I question how long it will take for the majority of the modern world to cause there downfall; it will happen. If all humans were raised to believe and pursue the same ideals and virtues, then maybe Utopia would be a reality, but in a world where there is so much room for identity and point of view, it’s impossible to keep masses focused on the same goals. Further, people who don’t have the same goals in the first place would cause obvious conflicts

                Secondly, we learned that in certain Utopian and dystopian literature, that eventually, human nature has to take over, and Utopia will be taken into question. For example, as we learned with Bergeron or Brave New World, regardless of the restrictions, someone’s bound to dissent or question the conformity. I believe that human nature urges us to be different, in some ways. We’re not animals for a reason, like the Houyhnhnms were in Gulliver’s Travels, who did achieve true equality. I believe that this detail was made clear so that we might learn that even this great world is too much for humans. Humans, in today’s society especially, cannot all have the ability to conform.

                Utopia is a magical concept; it is very visually appealing and a source of hope for many of earth’s citizens. However, shown by the individuality and nature of the humans who have lived and live here now, Utopia is not something we will ever achieve; we just don’t have the capacity for even the minor conformities it will take.