Chapter Commentary of Utopia - Study Guide by Thomas More

satire on contemporary Europe more pointed as the virtues of the heathens are emphasised by contrast to the vices of Christian Europe. It is a faith founded on philosophy and natural reason, providing the only rational sanction for the life of virtue. They are Christians in everything but name. They do not abide by arbitrary dogma but let faith and natural reason instruct them to believe,

"in a single power, unknown, eternal, infinite, inexplicable, far beyond the grasp of the human mind, an diffused throughout the universe, not physically, but in influence".

This conception falls in accordance with the moral norms of Christian nature. However, it is set beside the acknowledgement in Utopia of Epicurean and almost hedonistic urges: "their chief concern is human happiness", "nature herself proscribes for us a joyous life". But it is happiness found in "good and honest pleasure" which is quantified within moral strictures and the "dictates of reason". The Utopian belief system explores the compatibility of pleasure and virtue. Despite the absence of a unified religion or teachings of Christianity "religious principles are factored into the individuals calculations". The Utopians combine an enjoyment of temporal things beside virtue. There is an acknowledgement of the "kindness of Mother Nature" made compatible with the four cardinal virtues. Restorative pleasures and pleasures of the body are valued beside the development of "a religious fear of the gods". Utopia was then founded on discipline and not liberty; human nature is not ruled by reason alone but must come under the control of a powerful and coercive religious force. Flippancy is not allowed:

"Anyone who thinks happiness consists of this sort of pleasure must confess his ideal life would be one spent in an endless round of hunger … scratching and rubbing. Who can fail to see that such an existence is not only disgusting but miserable?".

Even the game of dice is forbidden in favour of educational more moral games. Religious enthusiasm is used as a tool to instil discipline, a stable Commonwealth and control over its individuals by means of fear. Atheism is associated with lack of control and harmony; as "madness" and shows the non-believer as despising "all the laws and customs of society, if not prevented by fear".

In some ways the religion of More’s Utopia satisfies the complaints of religious reformers of More’s time as there are rules against idolatry ("in the churches no images of gods are seen"), superstitious practices, and excess ritual ("dim light concentrates the mind and aids devotion"). They dress of the priests is perhaps a parody of the corruption of the clergy and ecclesiastical excesses as they are adorned in robes of many colours, "decorated with feathers".

In Utopia there seems to be a cynical conception of human nature as mankind, even in utopia, the earthly Elysium, is fallen. Man is still shown as susceptible to the sins of greed, lust and pride and More shows the precarious nature of civilization and the importance of fear and discipline in its continuation. Beneath the seductive facade of the Utopians basic, rationalized laws and customs is human perversity; lust wrecks the ideal of the blessedness and permanence of marriage even in Utopia, and forces divorce.

However there are degrees of discipline and motivations and they are treated deprecatingly and reverenced by turns. More himself wore a shirt of hair as a permanent source of self chastisement in recompense for his inability to stay celibate. This strict asceticism however is treated with ambiguity – as a means to an

"empty and shadowy reputation of virtue … But such a person the Utopians consider absolutely crazy – cruel to himself, as well as most ungrateful to nature".

It is also tentatively praised later on. For those who reject all pleasures of life as harmful are thought of by the Utopians as "holier" and "specially religious" if they are motivated by religion and not reason alone, thus, pinpointing the difference between self-justifying and self-aggrandizing deprivation and holy self denial.

The voice of More: idealistic or cynical?