Utopianism - what is it?

"Utopianism" - what is it? As a rule, the interpretation of this concept is difficult. It is directly related to the word "utopia." What do these terms mean? What are their similarities and differences? This will be discussed in the proposed review.

Utopia

The interpretation of this concept is presented in the dictionary in two versions:

1. One of the genres of fiction that is close to science fiction. He describes the model of an ideal society as the author sees it.
2. A beautiful dream that never comes true.

As a literary genre and socio-political modeling, utopia appears in modern times. It can be turned into the future and the past. In the second case, the concept of "primitive communism", "lost paradise" can be an example.

There are also two opinions regarding the etymology of this token. Some researchers believe that it comes from the ancient Greek οὐ, similar to the negation of "not", which is added to the noun τόπος, meaning "place". According to another version, this word is derived from the ancient Greek εύ, which means "good", and is interpreted as "a good place."

Utopianism

This term is also interpreted from two perspectives:

1. Creation of plans for the social reorganization of society, in which reality is not taken into account. They are completely divorced from the objective laws that underlie social development. As a rule, this term is understood as utopian socialism.
2. Unrealizability, impracticability.

Thus, the concepts considered are very close, but not identical to each other.

Pies on the trees

Today in the social and philosophical sciences it is customary to differentiate the concepts of "utopia" and "utopianism."

Utopianism is a type of consciousness that is inherent in human nature. It is expressed in various forms of dreams dedicated to the present or future ideal world. This also includes ideas about paradise, Kokan - a mythical country of plenty. Wine rivers flow in it, punishment follows labor, and loafers are paid a salary. Cakes grow right on the trees, you just need to lie under the tree, opening your mouth to be always full.

Most often in utopianism there is no positive realization. However, to a certain extent, when facing the future, it can influence social development. Since the 19th century, “utopianism” in public consciousness has begun to be associated with “socialism” and with totalitarian power.

At its core, utopian consciousness contains the prerequisites associated with Russoism (the views of J. J. Rousseau, the French philosopher). This is a belief in the possibility of a holistic man, his nature is blissful. At the same time, in a good society there is every opportunity for all its positive abilities to be fully revealed.

Social utopianism

It is a special type of consciousness that arose on the basis of a special understanding of utopian searches and ideas and their application. Both utopia and social utopianism have common roots that are associated with (co):

• incomplete history;
• the unacceptability of the existing world;
• striving for social harmony.

But at the same time, the “mythical” transformation of the world inherent in utopia in social utopism is supplanted by its desire to transform reality into reality, according to the proposed model. The construction of an ideal alternative world by the efforts of imagination (as in the first case) is replaced by transformations based on revolutionary methods in the name of abstract principles.

In Russia in the 19th century the representatives of utopianism were: Herzen, Ogarev, Belinsky, Petrashevsky, Milyutin. In France, these are Fourier and Saint-Simon, whose work became one of the sources of the theory of Marxism.

Considering the fact that this is utopianism, one cannot but say about one of its most famous representatives - Thomas More, author of Utopia.

Fictional Island State

By his example, Thomas More, a philosopher, lawyer, humanist writer, former Lord Chancellor of England in the 16th century, showed how he understands the best system of society. The utopianism of Mora was expressed in his following political views, reflected in the book Utopia.

1. Private property is the cause of all disasters and vices. Together with money, it gives rise to crimes that cannot be eradicated by any sanctions and laws.
2. The ideal country (Utopia) is a federation consisting of 54 cities.
3. The controls in each of them, like their device, are the same. Each of the families owns a specific craft.
4. All officials are elected, a senate is formed from them, which is headed by the prince. If he is not involved in tyranny, he is irremovable.
5. There is no private property, crimes are rare, so there is no need for complex and extensive legislation.
6. Residents of utopia against war, as a brutal act. But in case of need, prepare for it. In military operations, mercenaries are used.

In conclusion, it should be noted that, despite the unreality of utopian projects, they nevertheless exert their influence on human history, which is very noticeable and quite real.