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A Map Worth Glancing At:Utopia in and For the 21st Century

In this paper I will discuss utopias understood as (descriptions of) imaginary worlds that can be better or worse than the existing one. Starting with the etymological analysis, I will describe their common form that has made them so popular for centuries. Although under influence of Greek and Judeo-Christian traditions, utopia is a Renaissance product owing its creation to the changes in understanding of humans’ destiny and future. Originally a literary genre, it has, over time, undergone transformations. Those will be explained in the context of historical evolution of the idea of progress and the growing political demands for the realization of utopian worlds. Next, 20th century utopian crisis will be analysed from the perspective of historical events that contributed to the loss of faith in progress as well as from the perspective of scientific theories that questioned human moral and intellectual capacities for creating better worlds. Finally, I will discuss views that emphasize the importance of creating positive utopian images for maintaining a healthy culture. In relation to this, I will introduce utopian thought as inherently human capacity of transcending the existing that is becoming endangered by the anti-utopian proclamation of status quo. I will oppose this proclamation by proposing prerequisites for the 21st century utopia.

utopia, utopian thought. utopian literature, dystopia, progress, future

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