The Illusion of Utopia: Exploring Cognition and Psychological States
The concept of Utopia, first introduced by Plato in the 4th century B.C. in his work ‘The Republic,’ referred to an ideal place and society. Throughout history, numerous scholars and philosophers have delved into the notion of Utopia, leading to its portrayal in works of fiction. Utopia became a term employed by authors to describe an idyllic realm, seemingly faultless and perfect. As discussions surrounding the creation of an ideal society progressed, the concept of Utopia evolved into two categories: positive Utopia and negative Utopia, also known as Dystopia. Interestingly, the word Utopia itself originates from the Greek words ‘ou’ and ‘topos,’ meaning “no place.”
A perfect Utopia would encompass an ideal socio-political-legal system. This term finds application in both literary fiction, where it describes a heavenly place desired by all, and in real-life attempts to establish perfect communities. One exemplary depiction of a Utopia in literary fiction is the vivid and enchanting world of chocolates and candies portrayed by Roald Dahl in his book ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’ In the story, the chocolate factory and its magical, mysterious realm offer Charlie Bucket, the protagonist, a dream come true. Initially fascinated by this perfect world, Charlie eventually becomes weary and longs to return to the outside world.
Similarly, in Dr Seuss’ book ‘The Lorax,’ the author presents a seemingly perfect world that, in reality, is a Dystopia. The inhabitants are deprived of fundamental rights such as freedom, clean air, and the absence of a monotonous routine dictated by an authoritarian figure. These individuals are indoctrinated to believe that their lives are flawless, cherishing their existence within the confines of a walled city while fearing the perils beyond. However, a character emerges who dares to dream and challenges the prevailing society. With their influence, they inspire others to recognize the imperfections of their so-called perfect world. Dr Seuss masterfully portrays a grotesque image of a society unknowingly held captive and manipulated.
In both instances, whether positive or negative Utopia, the individuals eventually grow weary of their monotonous routines and yearn for change. They crave the freedom to live life on their terms. Even in the world of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’ where the factory offers everything a child could desire, the protagonist becomes disillusioned with the notion of perfection, longing for more than just candies and chocolates and desiring contact with the outside world. Similarly, in ‘The Lorax,’ the main character yearns for natural air and real trees, rather than living within the confines of a plastic city with artificial foliage. They grow tired of their supposed perfect life.
Both novels delve into the concept of Utopias, a genre of fiction that transports readers away from reality. The question arises: why do we immerse ourselves in narratives that deviate from reality? Why would Roald Dahl depict a chocolate factory boasting the most delectable treats imaginable, creating an entire hidden world within it? The answer lies in the allure that such creations hold for many individuals. Utopias provide an escapist’s sanctuary, allowing us to envision ourselves in these perfect worlds and contemplate the possibilities they offer. Most works of fiction enable readers to imagine themselves within the story, but the Utopian genre takes this a step further, transporting us to an almost ethereal realm that is disrupted when we reach the final page.
Translating the concept of Utopia and its appeal in literature to real-life situations, and employing the lenses of cognition and human behaviour, we can understand that Utopia serves as an escape. Extreme forms of happiness can be seen as a Psychological Utopia created within an individual’s mind. Defining Psychological Utopia concisely proves challenging; it necessitates a thorough explanation. Delusional individuals construct a bubble within their minds, residing within it and refusing to break free. They often exhibit extreme emotions — either overwhelming happiness or profound sadness and frustration — yet they perceive everything as fine, refusing to take action. These individuals live monotonous lives, displaying little emotion. Their delusion arises from their unwillingness to address any issues, whether they are extremely content or deeply troubled. This detachment from reality isolates them from their surroundings and the people in their lives.
Moreover, individuals who claim not to care or express indifference often manifest a Utopia within their minds, further reinforcing their emotional unavailability. This dangerous form of Psychological Utopia leads them to neglect taking action to rectify unfavourable circumstances in their lives, potentially causing harm in the long run. They become emotionally numb, making it challenging to engage in meaningful conversations or establish connections with others due to the impenetrable bubble they have constructed. Their lives become living examples of a Dystopia. Those who inhabit negative Utopias follow rigid routines, experience minimal social interaction, display emotional detachment, and frequently complain without taking action. They persist in living this way, day after day, until the bubble finally bursts, revealing the stark reality before their eyes. It is then that they grasp the true nature of their existence and attempt to rectify their lives, albeit often too late.
Consider the example of an individual enduring relentless bullying at school without taking any action to address the problem. They construct a mental bubble, convincing themselves that everything is fine despite evidence to the contrary. They refrain from reporting the bullying to authorities or their parents, allowing the mistreatment to persist. Such individuals carry on with their lives, perpetuating this behaviour until the bubble bursts, forcing them to confront the imperfections they had ignored. At that point, they endeavour to combat the bullying and put an end to the discrimination. While they ultimately emerge from their shell and take action, it is regrettable that their Utopian state prolonged their suffering.
Conversely, some individuals find themselves in a state of Utopia and experience overwhelming happiness. They overlook potential dangers or the need for change in their lives, content with their monotonous routines. Their happiness borders on danger, as they become increasingly detached from reality, caring only about their own lives and, in some cases, the lives of immediate family members. They navigate life without concern for the events occurring in the world, evading any external interactions. Their satisfaction with the status quo results in a drifting existence. They become indifferent to engaging with others, convinced that any outside interference would disrupt their supposed perfect life.
People often speak of building emotional walls or remaining emotionally unresponsive, but what they are truly describing is the construction of a mental bubble — a state of Utopia. These individuals face the disadvantage of realizing, once their bubble bursts, that they have caused themselves even greater harm, the very harm they sought to protect themselves from. They become emotionally unavailable, challenging to reach out to, failing to reciprocate care or attention, and often showing indifference. Those fortunate enough to penetrate their Utopian state should consider themselves lucky, as it signifies the expansion of their bubble, which may ultimately burst. One day, they will realize the loss of someone who loved them dearly and attempted to reach out, only to be met with emotional unavailability and a reluctance to reciprocate, solely desiring solitude within their self-proclaimed perfect life. This is just one example among many, illustrating the potential consequences that arise once a bubble is burst.
While it may seem that existing in a psychological state of Utopia carries only disadvantages, there are indeed a few benefits to be found. Consider the case of an individual battling cancer — a disease that profoundly affects both the body and behaviour. Cancer patients often undergo significant changes and face a higher risk of depression. To counteract this, doctors encourage them to maintain a positive outlook and sustain abnormal levels of happiness. They are advised to engage in activities that bring them joy. In this context, living in a perpetual state of happiness, which can be considered a form of Psychological Utopia, proves beneficial to the patient’s well-being. By immersing themselves in a world of happiness, embracing positive thoughts, and pursuing activities that please them, cancer patients can combat depression and facilitate the healing and recovery process. Thus, it is acceptable, at times, to be delusional and retreat into one’s own constructed reality where everything is okay.
The human mind possesses immense power, particularly in the realm of perception and visualization. Our capacity for imagination is a remarkable gift. With our minds, we can accomplish incredible feats. We utilise our minds to comprehend problems, make decisions, and perform a myriad of other functions. We also employ our minds to understand our attitudes and behaviours, as well as those of others. We imagine the impact of our actions on ourselves and those around us, considering how others’ behaviour affects us and ourselves. Consequently, we ponder what might have happened if certain events had unfolded differently or if circumstances had remained unchanged. In this process, we venture into the realm of Utopia within our minds. Individuals inevitably change over time, even if they maintain a semblance of consistency. Whether these changes lead to personal growth or decline is a separate matter, but change is inherent to the human experience. Thus, the state of Utopia an individual resides in is seldom enduring. They inhabit a particular state for a period of time until their perfect world crumbles, prompting them to reconstruct it, only for it to be shattered once more. This cycle and process persist indefinitely. The fortunate few who maintain an unchanging Utopian existence until their death is rare indeed.
In conclusion, the illusion of Utopia, both in literature and in the psychology of human cognition, holds a significant allure. Psychological Utopia serves as an escape — delusional state individuals create within their minds, detached from reality and often impervious to change. While this can be detrimental, leading to emotional unavailability, indifference, and the neglect of necessary actions, there are instances where Psychological Utopia can offer temporary benefits, such as in the case of cancer patients. Ultimately, the human mind’s power of imagination and perception allows us to explore and create these Utopian states, shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. However, true Utopia, whether in fiction or life, remains an elusive ideal, forever disrupted by the complex and ever-changing nature of human existence.
