Communal Living and Property:
* Communalism: All property was owned in common, eliminating private ownership and individual wealth disparities. This promoted a sense of equality and shared responsibility.
* Complex Marriage: This controversial system allowed members to freely choose their sexual partners, with community oversight. It was meant to eliminate jealousy and possessiveness, but it was later abandoned due to external pressures.
Social and Economic Reforms:
* Cooperative Work: All members contributed to the community's economic well-being through various labor roles, promoting self-sufficiency and a sense of shared purpose.
* Progressive Education: Children were educated in a communal setting, emphasizing critical thinking, self-reliance, and social responsibility.
* Social Equality: The community strived for equality among its members, regardless of gender, race, or social status.
Spiritual and Moral Development:
* Perfectionism: Noyes believed in the possibility of achieving moral perfection in this life, through self-reflection, communal critique, and striving for spiritual growth.
* Community Governance: Decisions were made through a complex system of committees and shared leadership, promoting transparency and collective responsibility.
Methods for "Improving" Individual Lives:
* Critical Self-Examination: Members were encouraged to constantly examine their own thoughts and behaviors, identifying and addressing personal flaws.
* Community Criticism: Members provided constructive feedback to each other, aiming to foster personal growth and moral improvement.
* "Male Continence": Noyes advocated for a form of sexual abstinence within marriage, aiming to separate sexual pleasure from procreation.
Controversies:
* Complex Marriage: This practice was widely condemned by the outside world as immoral and scandalous.
* Communalism: The concept of shared property and communal living challenged traditional societal norms and raised concerns about individual freedom.
* Perfectionism: The pursuit of perfection was seen as utopian and unrealistic by many, leading to criticism and accusations of hypocrisy.
Despite its controversial aspects, the Oneida Community's social experiment had significant impacts on American social and economic thought, influencing the development of communal living, cooperative movements, and progressive educational approaches.
It is important to note that while Noyes's methods aimed to improve life within the community, their effectiveness and ethical implications remain a subject of ongoing debate. The community's ultimate downfall was due to external pressures and internal conflicts, leading to its dissolution in the late 19th century.