英国経験論の源流としてのトマス・モアの「ユートピア」

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As an ideological background of a modern civil society, British empiricism should be more highly estimated than Continental rationalism, in the sense that it promoted the development of liberty and equality in a society. That was possible entirely because British empiricism is not the salon philosophy of the nobility, but the practical thought of common people. Utopia is indeed not a philosophical writing in a strict sense of the word, but it contains many elements characteristic of empiricism as follows: (1) Philosophy of civil society: Empiricism is a philosophy of neither kings nor aristocrats, but of common citizens, who came of the peasants robbed of their soil through the enclosure movement. (2) Inductive positivity: This is contrary to deductive demonstration and offers to empiricism one of the most important logical methods. This fact is known from the Utopians' way of life; in their positive aspect they are skillful in devising a new art of life, and in their negative aspect they do not have even primitive knowledge of Scholastic logic. (3) Individualism: The individual happiness is secured prosperous enough even in the communistic institution of Utopian society. (4) Hedonism and Utilitarianism: Utopians hold that happiness rests on nothing but a good and decent life. In their thought bodily pleasure give the palm to health, upon which practically all pleasures are based. (5) Religious toleration: Different kinds of religion are permitted in Utopia. Owing to their principle that no one should suffer for his religion, there happens no religious trouble caused by the difference in belief. Thomas More himself died a martyr to his principle, but his death itself convinces us that no one should be killed because of any social institution. Here is also declared his belief that individual happiness should never be violated by any social institution.

英国経験論の源流としてのトマス・モアの「ユートピア」

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