Utopia

The Potential and Prospect of the Human Condition

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book Utopia by George Kateb, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: George Kateb ISBN: 9781351300384
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 29, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: George Kateb
ISBN: 9781351300384
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 29, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Amid the twentieth century's seemingly overwhelming problems, some thinkers dared to envisage a world order governed by utopian proposals that would eliminate--or at least alleviate--the evils of society and secure positive advantages for all human beings. Others found this utopian optimism a hopeless fantasy and predicted a utopian order only repressiveness, boredom, and the impoverishment of human experience. The unique gathering of articles in Utopia vividly demonstrates the tension existing between utopian ideas and their proponents and the severe criticism of their adversaries.

Among utopia's enthusiastic supporters, B. F. Skinner outlines the educational practices needed to sustain his concept of utopia, while Margaret Mead sets forth a bold defense of utopian vision in her article "Towards More Vivid Utopias." In active opposition to modern utopian idealism, Ralf Dahrendorf, the prominent German sociologist and politician, compares utopia with a cemetery and criticizes its fixed and uneventful life, and J. L. Talmon predicts that, since utopianism postulates absolute social cohesion, there is no escape from dictatorship in the utopian design. Still another alternative is offered by Zbigniew Brzezinski, who bases his futurist ideology on the trends of technology in the advanced countries of the world, especially the United States. He sees in the conscious application of technical-scientific rationality by an intellectual elite the method by which the promises of modern knowledge can be made good.

Underscoring the fact that the utopian tradition can make us look at the real world with new eyes, George Kateb, the editor of Utopia, clarifies the terms of this long-standing debate and offers a thorough analysis of the "strong utopian impetus to save the world from as much of its confusion and disorder as possible." The work is an argument neither for utopian or anti-utopian visions. Rather it shows the possibilities of political norms in advancing the human condition in open societies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Amid the twentieth century's seemingly overwhelming problems, some thinkers dared to envisage a world order governed by utopian proposals that would eliminate--or at least alleviate--the evils of society and secure positive advantages for all human beings. Others found this utopian optimism a hopeless fantasy and predicted a utopian order only repressiveness, boredom, and the impoverishment of human experience. The unique gathering of articles in Utopia vividly demonstrates the tension existing between utopian ideas and their proponents and the severe criticism of their adversaries.

Among utopia's enthusiastic supporters, B. F. Skinner outlines the educational practices needed to sustain his concept of utopia, while Margaret Mead sets forth a bold defense of utopian vision in her article "Towards More Vivid Utopias." In active opposition to modern utopian idealism, Ralf Dahrendorf, the prominent German sociologist and politician, compares utopia with a cemetery and criticizes its fixed and uneventful life, and J. L. Talmon predicts that, since utopianism postulates absolute social cohesion, there is no escape from dictatorship in the utopian design. Still another alternative is offered by Zbigniew Brzezinski, who bases his futurist ideology on the trends of technology in the advanced countries of the world, especially the United States. He sees in the conscious application of technical-scientific rationality by an intellectual elite the method by which the promises of modern knowledge can be made good.

Underscoring the fact that the utopian tradition can make us look at the real world with new eyes, George Kateb, the editor of Utopia, clarifies the terms of this long-standing debate and offers a thorough analysis of the "strong utopian impetus to save the world from as much of its confusion and disorder as possible." The work is an argument neither for utopian or anti-utopian visions. Rather it shows the possibilities of political norms in advancing the human condition in open societies.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Chameleon Manager by George Kateb
Cover of the book Festival and Events Management by George Kateb
Cover of the book Social Work Practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People by George Kateb
Cover of the book James Joyce and Modern Literature by George Kateb
Cover of the book A Dented Image by George Kateb
Cover of the book Anthropology and/as Education by George Kateb
Cover of the book Designs, Methods and Practices for Research of Project Management by George Kateb
Cover of the book Miles, Ornette, Cecil by George Kateb
Cover of the book The Routledge Guide to the European Union by George Kateb
Cover of the book Minaret Building and Apprenticeship in Yemen by George Kateb
Cover of the book The Jewish-Arab City by George Kateb
Cover of the book The Taming of the Text by George Kateb
Cover of the book Kingdom Of Georgia by George Kateb
Cover of the book Intellectual Property Law and History by George Kateb
Cover of the book Theory and Practice of Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy by George Kateb
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy