Thomas More's Utopia, Book 1 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

According to Raphael, why should he not enter into the service of a king?

  • He enjoys the support of his friends.
  • He prefers to focus on wealth accumulation.
  • He is not skilled enough to serve a king.
  • He believes it would not contribute to the common good. (correct)

Raphael believes philosophy has no place in the councils of princes.

True (A)

What term did Thomas More use to describe Utopia that reflects its ideal nature?

Eutopie

The philosophical idea that Raphael espouses is known as ___ life.

<p>vita contemplativa</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

<p>Eutopie = A place of felicity Vita Contemplativa = Contemplative intellectual life Civic Humanism = Focus on public service and the common good Philosophy in Public Affairs = Adapting ideas to suit the audience</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does More compare his accomplishments in Utopia to?

<p>Plato's writings on the state (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Raphael thinks academic philosophy is suitable for public conversations.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Raphael suggest may happen if he presents his ideas to those who oppose them?

<p>They would turn deaf ears.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to More, Utopia is referred to as a '___-Place'.

<p>No-Place</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Raphael imply about the role of a philosopher in public affairs?

<p>Philosophers should adapt their ideas to be effective. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do books play according to the discussion?

<p>They mediate between the ideal and the real. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hythloday believes philosophers have not contributed to political advice due to lack of interest.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Hythloday imply about the noblemen's behavior towards the land?

<p>They enclose everything for pasture, leaving nothing for cultivation and causing displacement of farmers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary cause of the transformation of commoners and peasants into wage workers, according to Karl Marx?

<p>The enclosure of common land (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Philosophers are described as not so _______ as to refuse to offer their advice.

<p>disagreeable</p> Signup and view all the answers

The laws against vagabondage were implemented to support the working class.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their associated descriptions:

<p>Utopian Literature = Explorations of ideal societies Philosophers = Advisors to kings Noblemen = Land monopolizers Displaced Farmers = Victims of greed</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the discussion, what is one result of the noblemen's actions?

<p>Displacement of families (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Karl Marx describe as 'Acts for enclosures of Commons'?

<p>Decrees that allowed landlords to take the people's land as private property</p> Signup and view all the answers

The proletariat were turned into beggars and vagabonds, in many cases due to _______.

<p>stress of circumstances</p> Signup and view all the answers

The sheep are described as being increasingly meek and docile.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the terms with their descriptions:

<p>Vagabondage = Legislation against wandering beggars Primitive Accumulation = Enclosure of common lands Proletariat = Working-class individuals Expropriation = Taking land from the common people</p> Signup and view all the answers

What extreme actions are the displaced people driven to as a result of their situation?

<p>Stealing and begging</p> Signup and view all the answers

The philosophers' books have been published but often go _______ by the powerful.

<p>unaccepted</p> Signup and view all the answers

How were the former commoners and subsistence farmers viewed by legislation after their displacement?

<p>As voluntary criminals (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Karl Marx believed that vagabondage was entirely a result of individual choices.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for the farmers' displacement?

<p>Natural disasters (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the acts of enclosure mentioned by Marx?

<p>The land was privatized, leading to displacement of common individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The _______ of common land facilitated the transition from agrarian society to wage labor.

<p>enclosure</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Hythloday suggest about opinions that have been made to seem absurd?

<p>They are often misunderstood. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a common reaction to the increase in vagrancy during the 15th and 16th centuries?

<p>Legislation against vagabondage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The term 'utopia' connotes an idea that is widely accepted in political discussion.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What historical figure did Hythloday accompany on his voyages?

<p>Amerigo Vespucci</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hythloday believes that ideals are made to seem _____ by moral, social, and cultural consensus.

<p>absurd</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their meanings:

<p>Absurd = Out of tune, dischordant Utopia = An ideal place that does not exist Hythloday = Peddler of nonsense Corrupt morals = Degradation of ethical standards</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should one strive to do when they cannot eradicate corrupt opinions?

<p>Handle everything deftly (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hythloday's ideas about private property are contrary to those of the Utopians.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which two philosophies are discussed in relation to Hythloday's ideas?

<p>Christ's teaching and Plato's philosophy</p> Signup and view all the answers

The prefix 'u-' in Utopia means _____, indicating that it is an idea that cannot exist.

<p>no</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Hythloday's reference to Plato's Republic?

<p>It emphasizes shared ideals and critiques societal norms. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Renaissance Civic Humanism

A philosophical and literary movement that emphasized human potential, reason, and civic engagement, fostering the ideal of a well-rounded individual contributing to the common good.

Vita Contemplativa

The concept of a life dedicated to intellectual pursuits, contemplation, and spiritual development, often involving a retreat from the world's affairs.

Speaking Truth to Power

The ability to speak the truth, even when it is unpopular or dangerous, to those in positions of power.

Utopia

The ideal society described in Thomas More's book "Utopia." It is characterized by communal ownership, social justice, and a focus on reason and virtue.

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No Room for Philosophy in Politics

The belief that philosophical principles are impractical and inappropriate for the real world of politics and governance.

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Practical Philosophy

A practical approach to philosophy that adapts its principles to the demands of the present situation, emphasizing harmony and decorum.

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Active Endeavor vs. Contemplative Leisure

The idea that one should engage in activities that are truly meaningful and contribute to the common good, rather than sacrificing leisure for unfulfilling work.

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Obtrude Notions

To impose one's ideas or opinions onto others, especially those who are resistant to them.

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Deaf as a Post

The tendency to be impervious to reason or persuasion, closed off to new ideas, and resistant to change.

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Academic Philosophy in Private Conversation

A style of discourse that emphasizes the exchange of ideas between friends in an informal setting, often for intellectual exploration and personal growth.

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Don't abandon the Commonwealth

The concept that even though we might not be able to completely eliminate corrupt opinions and long-standing problems, we shouldn't give up on trying to improve society.

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Indirection and Skillful Handling

The act of using indirect and skillful methods to achieve goals, even when facing resistance or opposition.

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Social Consensus and Alien Ideas

The notion that what seems strange or absurd is often defined by the dominant social and moral values of a society, rather than being inherently illogical or wrong.

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Odd or Absurd

Ideas or ideals that are considered odd or out of tune with the current social norms and beliefs.

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Hythloday

A person who travels around or explores different places, often in search of new experiences or knowledge.

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Unheard or Unspoken

The idea that what is not heard or spoken is often considered absurd or nonexistent, based on the limited knowledge and experience of the speaker.

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Alien

A person or thing considered as strange or different from the norm, often seen as lacking value or significance.

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Made to Seem Alien

The process by which prevailing social and moral values influence the perception of new or different ideas, leading to their rejection or dismissal as absurd or unacceptable.

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Leaving Homeland for Exploration

The practice of leaving one's homeland to explore different parts of the world, driven by a desire for adventure and discovery.

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Utopias and Exploration

The desire for knowledge and exploration can lead to the creation of ideal societies or Utopias. These imagined societies are a way to bridge the gap between reality and philosophical ideals, offering a vision of a better world.

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Philosophers and Power

Philosophers play a crucial role in shaping social and political realities by offering their wisdom and knowledge to those in power.

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Books and Social Change

Books act as a bridge between the ideal and the real, conveying philosophical ideas to those in power. They serve as a conduit for knowledge and a potential catalyst for social change.

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Enclosures and Social Disruption

The enclosure of land for sheep grazing was a major social and economic problem in England during the early modern period. This practice led to the displacement of farmers and the creation of a large, landless population.

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Poverty and Desperation

The enclosure of land for sheep grazing caused widespread poverty and desperation, driving people to crime and begging as they were deprived of their means of living.

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Greed and Social Crisis

The enclosure movement, driven by greed for profit, led to a social and economic crisis, forcing people to resort to stealing and begging as a means of survival.

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Metaphor of Sheep

The author uses the metaphor of 'voracious sheep' to represent the greed of the landowners, who were consuming and destroying the livelihoods of the common people.

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Enclosure and Injustice

The process of enclosure, where land was taken from small farmers for grazing sheep, was seen as unjust and caused immense hardship for many people.

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Criticism of Landowners

The author criticizes the wealthy landowners for their greed and lack of concern for the well-being of ordinary people, who were forced to suffer as a result of their actions.

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Enclosure of Commons

The process by which common lands, used by peasants for subsistence farming, were taken over by wealthy landowners.

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Transformation of Commoners into Wage Workers

The transformation of peasants and farmers into wage laborers, forced to work for others due to the loss of their land.

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Legislation against Vagabondage

Laws and regulations that criminalized poverty and vagrancy, targeting people who had no means of support after losing their land.

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“Voluntary” Criminals

The idea that people who were forced into poverty were responsible for their own situation, despite the fact that they lost their land.

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Primitive Accumulation

Marx's description of the process by which the wealthy accumulated wealth through the enclosure of common land and the exploitation of labor.

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Parliamentary Form of Robbery

Marx's argument that the enclosure of commons was a form of theft, disguised as legal acts.

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Proletariat turned into Beggars, Robbers, Vagabonds

The loss of land and means of subsistence forced many peasants into poverty, leading them to beg, steal or wander aimlessly.

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End of 15th and 16th Centuries

The historical context of primitive accumulation, where harsh laws punished the poor for their poverty, despite the system that drove them there.

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End of 15th and 16th Centuries

The historical context of primitive accumulation, where harsh laws punished the poor for their poverty, despite the system that drove them there.

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End of 15th and 16th Centuries

The historical context of primitive accumulation, where harsh laws punished the poor for their poverty, despite the system that drove them there.

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Study Notes

Thomas More, Utopia, Book 1

  • More's work, Utopia, challenges the notion of whether truth can be spoken to power.
  • Utopia was originally called "No-Place", but More later re-named it "Eutopie" (a place of felicity).
  • More's Utopia surpasses Plato's ideal state by fully realizing the best aspects of people, wealth, and laws.

Renaissance Civic Humanism

  • Renaissance Civic Humanism advocated for the active involvement of intellectuals in public service, contributing to the common good.
  • It is the philosophy of contributing to the common good, and was in opposition to the Vita contemplativa (intellectual, scholarly, spiritual, contemplative life, retreat from the world).
  • Raphael, a character in More's work, embodies this philosophy.

Speaking Truth to Power

  • More explores the difficulty of speaking truth to power; obstacles include prejudice and opposition.
  • Those in positions of power may be resistant to truth or novel ideas, often dismissing them as absurd.
  • More questions if it is worthwhile to share ideas with those inherently opposed to them.

Literature and Power

  • Works of philosophy can mitigate the gap between ideal and reality.
  • Books serve as a valuable tool for conveying philosophical and political ideas to broader audiences.
  • Many philosophers are reticent about sharing their ideas with royal rulers and other powerful figures.

Enclosures

  • The enclosure of previously common lands led to societal hardship.
  • Sheep ranching and other agricultural changes resulted in land being enclosed for private use which consequently dispossessed those who had historically relied on it.
  • This resulted in widespread poverty and vagrancy for those formerly farming that land.

Karl Marx and Primitive Accumulation

  • Marx's concept of "primitive accumulation" describes the historical process of dispossession of common lands and the creation of a proletarian workforce.
  • Land being enclosed led to the transformation of commoners into landless laborers.
  • Government policies often treat former commoners as criminals.

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