Utopia (preliminary)

This section is devoted to collect the preliminary definitions one can hold about the utopia concept, as a first step in a further inquire of the core concepts of political philosophy in the information age. The question "what is utopia?" is posed to participants in the seminar "From Ancient Utopias to Cyberutopias. An introduction to political philosophy" in a very early stage. Thereafter, participants are invited to write down here their understandings of the term trying to group them in the definitions provided by other participants.

Please, before providing your definition take a careful look to the previous ones and ammend them if you consider necessary, leaving a note in the discussion tab (top, left). Indeed the discussion page can be very productive in a free confrontation of the different understandings as a dialectical approach to a better common understanding.

Preliminary definitions of the concept

The Concept of an Utopia can be understood as a near perfect Version of a theoretically Model. There are many different models, which are for an example categorized into „The perfect Language “, „The perfect Thinking“, „the perfect Social Order“ and so on. They all represent a Theory in which a Society could become a perfect or near perfect representation of that one Model. A society which depicts nearly perfect qualities for its citizens from the standpoint of view of the presented model.

Which unifies those different Models though, is that they strive to achieve equality between their citizens, not only in regards of the law but also equality in life quality, wealth and possibilities for everybody included. Although, it’s not to be confused with socialism on itself – There can be also Utopias in which people do have different amounts of wealth.

In my personal view, a Utopia is the Theory that a Society can be unified by its desire to improve itself constantly, to collectively trying to achieve perfection in everything while also take care of each other, tolerate and self-confident in its ability to provide solutions for the issues we have, and we will face in the future.

A society comprised by people which are driven to become everyday a better version of themselves as they were yesterday; driven by the goal to become, in the sense of Nietzsche, their own Gods. Not to overthrow Nature or "God" itself, but to become their equals. To fulfil our potential fully and to grasp the stars – not as conqueres of worlds, but as conqueres of destiny itself.

• Supporters of this understanding: Alexander Prugger

Utopia is a dream, a goal or perhaps an oasis. It is often conceived, due to the dissatisfaction of current society. There is not a single idea of utopia, as it is often shaped by personal experiences, values and expectations, thus utopia is constantly changing, evloving catering to the values and ideals of society.

• Supporters of this understanding: Kyzer Tey