Comparing More, Kant, And Soren Kierkegaard

We have studied over twenty authors, but some of my favorites include Thomas More, Immanuel Kant, and Soren Kierkegaard. In 1516, Thomas More wrote Utopia. In 1785, Immanuel Kant published, Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals. In 1843, Soren Aabye Kierkegaard published, Fear and Trembling. All three authors are very different in their backgrounds and views. They all have differing opinions on what their ideal world would consist of.

In Utopia, Thomas More describes his own personal Utopia thoroughly throughout his novel. That is all Raphael Nonsenso talks about. Raphael sits and describes voyages to a new world, the island of Utopia. He continues to talk about this new world throughout the entire book, finishes by saying that England should put the Utopian society into practice. Thomas More, in Utopia, presents a view of humans as generally positive. Though, he believes that humans are naturally greedy, untrustworthy, and “so very unpredictable” (More 105). Because of this he believes that they need restrictions in government and consequently less individual freedom. More says that human nature can be altered by the environment.

In Thomas More’s utopia, actions are done for what is best for community. Individualism is not found here, only conformity. More believes humans should do the things they do for the betterment of the society as a whole. In Immanuel Kant’s utopia, actions by individuals are done to fulfill their own duty. A person will do good or bad because it is their duty. It might not always be pleasurable, but it has to be done. He challenged humanity to judge an individual action as if it was extended to a universal moral law and then see if it is justified. In Soren Kierkegaard’s utopia, actions are done solely to affect the individual. To declare if an action is right or wrong, one would ask how it would affect