Fit The Ideal Person Essay Example

remainder of society.

By creating such a society, it would enable young individuals to effortlessly overlook the central concepts and principles of the community. This is primarily because everyone is fixated on the present and unable to challenge their existing thought patterns. Over time, this child would inevitably observe discrepancies and develop manipulative abilities as well as the proficiency to deceive others - essential skills one acquires in the real world. With these talents, individuals can skillfully manipulate situations to their advantage without having to make any sacrifices, something they would never learn in this supposedly perfect society. These are two pivotal reasons why a Utopian society could never be successful.

The founder and/or his children would have complete control over the people in the society without their knowledge. This undermines the idea of a perfect society as the leaders could manipulate their way to success by deceiving and exploiting the people. In a true Utopian Society, even the founders would be part of the system, but this can be even more harmful as it can lead to complete ignorance and incompetence. By reducing everyone to the same level and focusing only on the present, the society's ability to perform tasks would decline. Eventually, there would be a generation of individuals who never experienced the daily routines and ideals, resulting in a society unable to understand their minds.

The younger generation gains authority while the older generation loses their knowledge, leading to different consequences. The probable outcome involves the younger individuals enlightening their elders, questioning established norms, and revitalizing society. Nevertheless, alternative possibilities should also be taken into account. A comparable event took place in Cambodia under Pol

Pot's regime by the Khmer Rouge, where children aged 12 and 13 murdered their own family members as they believed it was beneficial for their nation.

Some people committed these horrific actions as a means of gaining power, particularly among the youth and those who are disadvantaged. Irrespective of your perspective, you will ultimately be deceived. While this scenario may seem slightly more radical and futuristic than the ideal societies envisioned by Plato and Confucius, upon careful inspection of any of these philosophers' societies, flaws can be identified that invite criticism and undermine the entire system.

As you move down the line, you reach settings like those in Harrison Bergeron or my example, where everything gradually diminishes until there is nothing left. This is a common fate for all societies. However, the collapse of a Utopian society would be much more catastrophic than that of a regular economy. This is because in a Utopian society, everything relies on each other and cannot function without all other parts.

Once these individuals are reintegrated into real societies where work ethic and competition for employment are essential, it disproves the notion that the demise of a supposed Utopia leads to the establishment of a natural Utopia. This is because these individuals now comprehend their position in the world but are unable to deliberately harm others solely for personal financial gain. It is evident that these skills would never be acquired in a utopian society where everything is based on sharing. They are now thrown into an unprepared world where unforeseen consequences await them. Returning to the main theme, it is necessary for me to acknowledge that there have been several concepts

of a potential Utopian Society which, if guided correctly and with the right mindset shared among its members, could be achieved. However, I firmly believe that attempting to contemplate the proper principles to establish (assuming that your perception of good and bad is the correct one) is impossible. If I had to personally choose between Plato and Confucius' ideal societies, I find Confucius' society more captivating.

I have to acknowledge that Plato presents numerous intriguing concepts regarding how tasks should be approached. One such idea is the potential benefit of separating individuals from their families. In a society where the ultimate duty is to The Republic, the government, and the society as a whole, maintaining limited connections with others could be advantageous.

When making a decision with regard to your siblings, parents, and grandparents, you might find yourself needing to consider their well-being or respect their desires. In doing so, you would essentially be contradicting The Republic and its fundamental principles. Additionally, I find it intriguing that The Republic emphasizes the significance of critical thinking and philosophy in our lives. This aspect leads me to critically examine the entire foundation upon which Plato's ideas are built.

Plato spent considerable time and effort crafting his vision of an ideal society. However, the potential consequences of multiple minds working together cannot be overlooked. If an entire society contemplates ideas that challenge the foundations of The Republic, the outcomes could be disastrous. These theories and beliefs might even supersede established norms, leaving Plato trapped in a society where his own thoughts and teachings are no longer valued, as the collective voice of the people takes precedence. Confucius' ideas, in my

view, raise numerous thought-provoking questions.

Confucius' entire lifestyle and way of life revolve around the family. In Confucius' ideal society, the utmost importance is placed on showing respect and servitude to deserving individuals like fathers, grandfathers, or uncles. One's worth is not determined by their accomplishments but rather by their loyalty to their family and understanding of their role in society. According to a passage from Confucius' book "The Analects" (Volume II, Book IV, chapter II), a person lacking virtue cannot endure hardships or find lasting happiness; however, a virtuous individual finds solace in their virtuous character and the wise person desires it.

I interpret this statement as implying that while one may have the option to choose whether or not to act virtuously and respect their family, one cannot genuinely find lasting contentment by solely pursuing their own self-interest. Initially, it may seem satisfying to have the freedom to do as one pleases without worrying about disappointing their family's reputation. However, this sense of happiness is merely a facade that conceals the underlying ugliness. Neglecting to act virtuously will eventually have negative consequences and haunt you in the future.

Living a virtuous life brings contentment and ensures that one is doing right by their family and themselves. Virtue encompasses joy, love, compassion, and other positive qualities that are essential in life. Additionally, the humility exemplified by Confucius himself is another admirable aspect of Confucianism. Despite being aware that his guidelines for life were and continue to be among the most honorable rules to live by, he maintained a modest demeanor.

In Volume IV, Book VII, Chapter I, Confucius explains his role in our world as a transmitter rather

than an originator. He sees himself as a believer in and lover of antiquity, and compares himself to the ancient worthy Peng. From my interpretation of this statement, it seems that Confucius views himself as someone who transmits the knowledge of living a righteous life. I believe that he does not consider himself the creator of Confucianism but instead someone who discovered and connected with everyone in society.

The mention of him being a believer and admirer of antiquity signifies his desire to restore things to their original state. He advocates for a sense of pride in one's family and name, and believes that actions should align with the wishes of their ancestors. The concluding part of the quote highlights Confucius' humility. Peng, a powerful figure of the Sheng Dynasty, was rumored to have lived for an astonishing 700 years.

Confucius demonstrates his incomparability to Peng, as they exist on different levels. Despite their differences, Confucius and Peng serve as examples of humanity's capacity to alter and manipulate things based on their preferences.

Societies often experiment with Utopian ideals but eventually realize the inefficiency of such systems. It is important to acknowledge that these ways of life are merely ideas conceived by individuals who believed they were applicable to their own lives.

In their endeavor to create all-encompassing systems, societies only end up making more mistakes than the previous society did. Despite my continued fascination with the concept of a Utopian Society, it is crucial to critically assess the validity of each lesson taught.

What revelations would emerge from such an evaluation? Bibliography: