Personal Utopia—Improving Society One Person at a Time
What are we working toward as a society? In times of societal upheaval, it can be helpful to know not only what we don’t want, but what we are working toward. The utopian ideal embodies a healthy society: a world in which we all work together toward common goals, where there is no need for greed or the hoarding of wealth, and where we are at peace. Of course, there are conditions we need to overcome to begin working toward that ideal, not the least of which is that, generally, people are greedy and self-centered. We also do not all share the same goals, values, or ways of living. But what if we could find utopia within ourselves? Personal utopia can be achieved, and if enough people achieve it, it will lead toward something more.
Societal Utopia
Western society, and US society in particular, is far from utopian ideals. Some [1] argue that utopia is impossible to achieve, mainly because we have different goals for society and various views on how to achieve them. Even the most basic characteristics of a utopian society, such as equality in justice and the common good as a priority, are beyond our reach. There have always been marginalized groups who don’t benefit from so-called equal laws and rights. And we are getting further away from these ideals all the time.
But if we think about what is desired versus what is missing, we can create an ideal to aspire to, for society and in the way we live. When we stop working toward wealth, luxury, or comfort and begin working toward meaningful lives and making a positive difference with our efforts, we can move toward the ideal. The space between utopian and dystopian is a continuum, and if we can move toward the utopian side, we can reflect on that movement with pride.
Personal utopia
Society may be a long way from the utopian ideal, but each individual has control over how they live their lives. We can live according to the utopian ideal, even as society is moving away from it. We can also support efforts to incorporate utopian ideals into society through activism and the democratic process. How is this done? There are many versions of utopia [2], and each has its flaws; however, here are some ideas that individual people can incorporate:
- Equality. Reject the belief that you (or anyone) are entitled to benefit more from policies and opportunities than others. Work toward equity in society.
- Harmony among people and peace among nations. Live a peaceful life and work toward peace in society. Don’t accept war as a legitimate way to resolve conflict.
- Environmental stewardship and connection to the Earth. Remember that humans are part of nature and must, eventually, find a way to live in harmony with it. Support efforts to incorporate the value of natural systems into policy and decision-making.
- Generosity of time and resources. Be a generous person. Give freely of what you have and help others who need it. Support community efforts to do the same.
What is society if not the collected views and actions of the people who make it up? If enough people behave according to utopian ideals, we can’t help but move in the right direction.
[1] Sargent, Lyman Tower (2010). Utopianism: A very short introduction. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
[2] For example, Plato’s Republic, Thomas More’s Utopia, and technological, pastoral, or egalitarian versions of utopia.
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