This visual poster series features three different perspectives on the
subject of Utopia.
The three digital illustrations are an abstract depiction of the literature read on this subject, each featuring the perspective of three philosophers regarding the subject.
The term 'Utopia' was originally invented by martyr Thomas More; his text inspired the research done on this subject
"Utopia (Latin: Libellus vere aureus, nec minus salutaris quam festivus, de optimo rei publicae statu deque nova insula Utopia, "A little, true book, not less beneficial than enjoyable, about how things should be in a state and about the new island Utopia")
is a work of fiction and socio-political satire by Thomas More (1478–1535), written in Latin and published in 1516. The book is a frame narrative primarily depicting a fictional island society and its religious, social, and political customs. Many aspects of More's description of Utopia are reminiscent of life in monasteries."
Utopia
Chapter 1
Humanist Catholic martyr, Thomas More.
In his novel, Utopia, he describes the 'fictional island' Utopia, through the character Rafael Hythlodaeus. (His last name meaning 'dispenser of nonsense')
Who is described to be a traveller. Through this character, you start to get more familiar with the island.
More uses his novel to write down his thoughts on the perfect world, using his own name for the main character. This indirectly suggests that he might not fully agree with the story told by Hythlodaeus. In 'Utopia' More describes the island as 'shaped as a new moon,' there being several religions (including atheists) and, the whole island living by a simple well-working not-too-complex system.
Chapter 2
Philosopher Emmanuel Kant on idealism as a Utopian structure.
Kant talks about Utopia and suggests it is a place from which you begin.
His idealism also suggests that Utopia is a non-place and a good place.
Kant also suggests that Utopia may imply newness, but may also imply intemporality or a repetition of the here and now. He also talks about how Utopia refers to 'eternal peace'.
Chapter 3
Plato his take on Utopia, in his essay 'Republic'
he talks about the fundamentals of a perfect society and justice.
Plato mentions how the fundamentals of this 'perfect system' are the importance of pleasure and pain, reason and calculation, love and hate and education.