Utopia the columbia encyclopedia, sixth edition, 2001. Each province starts with a set number of scientists assigned to the three science categories economy, military, arcane arts. The term utopia was created from greek by sir thomas more for his 1516 book utopia, describing a fictional island society in the south atlantic ocean off the coast of south america. Socialism is best defined in contrast with capitalism, as socialism has arisen both as a critical challenge to capitalism, and as a proposal for overcoming and replacing it. Utopia in the oxford dictionary of phrase and fable. The term has been used to describe both intentional communities that attempt to create an ideal society, and fictional societies portrayed in literature. Within the first book of utopia, more converses with giles, who introduces him to. Encyclopedia of utopian literature abc clio literary companion.
From the time of its first discovery, the island of king utopus has been shrouded in ambiguity, and no latterday. Utopias and other models of government, based on the public good, may be inconceivable because of the disordered human passions which, under the wrong governments, seek to highlight the. Utopia has a quality of universality, as revealed by the fact that it has fascinated readers of five centuries, has influenced countless writers, and has invited imitation by scores of utopianists. But this was a pun the almost identical greek word eutopos means a good place. Utopian fiction definition complete list of book genres. The word utopia is coined from two greek roots meaning nowhere ou meaning not. Some dreams have led to the study of nature and humans, from the deep mysteries of the atom and the gene, to the even deeper challenges of individual and collective sanitiesall with an understanding that how one acts can be as important as why, especially when. The encyclopedia of science fiction states that dystopian works depict a negative view of the way the world is supposedly going in order to provide urgent propaganda for a change in direction. Utopia synonyms, utopia pronunciation, utopia translation, english dictionary definition of utopia. Utopia and dystopiapart of being human is the ability to dream of a better or worse life, either in this world or the next. Utopian socialist etienne cabet in his utopian book the voyage to icaria cited definition from contemporary dictionary of ethical and political sciences. Utopian and dystopian fiction the utopia and its offshoot, the dystopia, are genres of literature that explore social and political structures. Hence utopian and utopianism are words used to denote visionary reform that tends to be impossibly idealistic literary utopias mores utopia. More than 400 utopian works were published prior to the year 1900 in the english language alone, with more than a thousand others appearing during the 20th century.
Society for utopian studies an international, interdisciplinary association devoted to the study of utopianism, with a particular emphasis on literary and experimental utopias. Utopia is a name for an imaginary community or society with a perfect system of laws and politics sir thomas more invented the word for his 1516 book utopia. While other volumes look at literary utopias or examine utopias in only. Research utopian analysis and design encyclopedia of sociology. Encyclopedia of utopian literature programs and courses. History of communal living in britain 19392000 utopia britannica by coates, chris and a great selection of related books, art. A utopia is an imagined community or society that possesses highly desirable or nearly perfect. The ideas christians, jews and muslims have of the garden of eden, and of heaven can be seen as such utopias. Plato on utopia stanford encyclopedia of philosophy.
Although the following article has not been revised for this edition of the encyclopedia, the substantive coverage is currently appropriate. Ruth levitas, the concept of utopia openedition journals. A place, state, or condition that is ideally perfect in respect of politics, laws, customs, and conditions. This, too, is part of the utopian picture of healthcare ethics envisaged by the aspiring physician deep ecologist and his. The legend of atlantis inspired many utopian myths, but explorations in the 15th century permitted more realistic settings, and more himself associated utopia with amerigo vespucci. Nov 25, 2018 home book genres fiction utopian fiction definition complete list of book genres utopian fiction definition whats the best definition for utopian genre. The utopians have reduced bureaucracy to its barest of bare minimums, offering on the surface what seems to be an extraordinarily democratic society, in which social behaviour is governed not by way of institutional pressure from the church, for example, nor through an inflexible legal superstructure, still less through instruments of state repression or force, but through informed. Any restrictions on use will be listed under the name. Utopia book simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
More as the name for the ideal state in his book, utopia, which described a fictional perfect society. Utopian studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that researches utopianism in all its forms, including utopian politics, utopian literature and art, utopian theory, and intentional communities. In book 1, giles introduces more and hythloday and plays a role in the initial. It has spawned other concepts, most prominently dystopia. A newer critical approach as to how to see the book pdf. Utopian and dystopian fiction project gutenberg self. Utopian and dystopian fiction wikimili, the free encyclopedia. Utopia article about utopia by the free dictionary. For levitas, this new definition would allow us to include the utopian aspects of a wide range of. Utopia, an ideal commonwealth whose inhabitants exist under. A dystopia is an unpleasant typically repressive society, often propagandized as being utopian. In it, he sketches the basic political structure and laws of an ideal city named magnesia. Encyclopedia of utopian literature abc clio literary companion snodgrass, mary ellen on.
List of books and articles about utopianism online research. Utopian novels list of famous utopiandystopian novels. Utopians article about utopians by the free dictionary. Utopia, an ideal commonwealth whose inhabitants exist under seemingly perfect conditions. Hence utopian and utopianism are words used to denote visionary reform that tends to be impossibly idealistic. A related idea is dystopia there have been many utopias based on. Utopia definition and meaning collins english dictionary. This book is a good starting point for those wishing to learn or teach about broad utopia concepts and be introduced to seminal works, but its far from a complete work. The editors have provided a list of recent works at the end of the article to facilitate research and exploration of the topic.
History of 15 finnish utopian settlements in africa, the americas, asia, australia and europe. Utopia simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Utopian definition of utopian by the free dictionary. The very short introductions series from oxford university press. In the nineteenth century robert owen in england and charles fourier, henri saintsimon and etienne cabet in france, collectively known as the utopian socialists, popularized the possibility of creating a better future through the establishment of small, experimental communities. This is usually translated to on the best state of a republic and on the new island of utopia the book is about an island with an imagined society. Sometimes the definition of utopian seems to be loosely applied. Utopian fiction definition book genre definitions and examples for all book genres, including the utopian genre and all other fiction genres. It compared social and economic conditions in europe with those of an ideal society on an imaginary island located off the coast of the americas. The education provided to the two lower classes, it is argued, thus does not succeed in enabling them to be ruled by their own reason and leaves them in the state of slaves. Through his book, he described fictional pagan, communist citystate that was governed by reason, and addressed the issues of religious pluralism, womens rights, statesponsored education, colonialism, and justified warfare. The category of the utopian, then, besides its usual and justly depreciatory meaning, possesses this other meaning which, far from being necessarily abstract and turned away from the world, is on the contrary centrally preoccupied with the world.
Utopian socialist etienne cabet in his utopian book the voyage to icaria. So at the very heart of the word is a vital question. The concept of utopia acquired a generic meaning that served a double purpose. The book also has much relevancefor those looking for examples of dystopian literature, yet thismaterial is presented without being grouped in a separate. Though this is rather unusual as the objective of a booklength study in more established fields of inquiry. Utopia definition is a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions. Utopian fiction is the creation of an ideal society, or utopia, as the setting for a novel. Utopia is a name for an imaginary community or society with a perfect system of laws and politics. Utopia article about utopia by the free dictionary encyclopedia. It suggests purely theoretical notions, whereas the historical fact is that a great many were tried out in practice, and some lasted for a considerable time. Adapted from such reformers as robert owen and charles fourier, utopian socialism drew from early communist and socialist ideas.
Charlene ball writes in womens studies encyclopedia that use of. Scientists start out as recruits, then as they progress they. The term utopia was created by thomas more in a book with the same name in 1516. The utopians have reduced bureaucracy to its barest of bare minimums, offering on the surface what seems to be an extraordinarily democratic society, in which social behaviour is governed not by way of institutional pressure from the church, for example, nor through an inflexible legal superstructure, still less through instruments of state repression or force, but through informed and. Encyclopedia of utopian literature abcclio literary. Utopia is derived from the greek prefix ou, meaning not, and topos, place, with the suffix ia that is typical of toponyms. Utopia definition of utopia by the free dictionary.
English humanist sir thomas more published a book titled utopia. The word utopia can also refer to a society of such an attempt. Most of what we now call utopianism derives from the last question. The word first occurred in sir thomas mores utopia, published in latin as libellusde optimo reipublicae statu, deque nova insula. Utopian fiction definition book genre definitions and examples for all book genres, including the utopian genre and all. Utopia is an ideal community or society possessing a perfect sociopoliticolegal system. Some dreams have led to the study of nature and humans, from the deep mysteries of the atom and the gene, to the even deeper challenges of individual and collective sanitiesall with an understanding that how one acts can be as important as why. Utopian is used to describe political or religious philosophies which claim that it is possible to build a new and perfect society in which everyone is happy. He coined the word utopia from the greek outopos meaning no place or nowhere.
Book 1 is a leadin to book 2 and was probably intended to establish interest in the subject of book 2. If a child, for example, has interest in learning a vocation that his own father. Utopian social engineering is a field possibly studied by the dharma initiative as stated in the swan orientation film social engineering is a school of political science whereby governments or private groups influence the acceptance or rejection of individual behaviors on a large scale, through the passage of laws or creation of incentivesdisincentives. This reference book is a comprehensive guide to utopian communities and their founders. The utopia and its offshoot, the dystopia, are genres of literature that explore social and political structures. Utopia 1516 by thomas more represents one of the most important books in the european humanism. Utopia is the title of a latin book by thomas more circa 1516. This is usually translated to on the best state of a republic and on the new island of utopia. Information and translations of utopia in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions. A utopia is an imagined community or society that possesses highly. Education in music and gymnastics is particularly crucial for the project of ethical education. Definition of utopia from the collins english dictionary. Utopian definition, of, relating to, or resembling utopia, an idealized imaginary island described in sir thomas mores utopia 1516.
Book 2 begins by returning to the definition of education. Utopian definition is of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a utopia. Both utopias and dystopias are commonly found in science fiction and other speculativefiction genres, and arguably are by definition a type of speculative fiction. English translations of the title include a truly golden little book, no less beneficial than entertaining, of the best state of a republic, and of the new island utopia literal and a fruitful and pleasant work of the best state of a public weal, and of the new isle called utopia traditional. Jonass community is an attempt at a utopiaa perfect society with no pain, suffering, or violence.
So, because the giver portrays a failed utopia, it is antiutopian or a dystopiaa world in which everything has gone wrong. Still, however, an examination of the period of which it was the product is necessary in order to view the work in depth. Characteristics of a utopian society information, independent thought, and freedom are promoted. The book was about a fictional island in the atlantic ocean. The utopia article about the utopia by the free dictionary. This is a list of notable works of dystopian literature. The word has been used to describe both a perfect society, and societies in literature. Utopia is a society presented as happy and safe, yet there is a degree of gender inequality, and certain individuals who have transgressed against utopian society or that of another country are held as slaves. As in carlyles book, the force of character of one man owen was a striking example usually proved.
Utopia definition, an imaginary island described in sir thomas mores utopia 1516 as enjoying perfection in law, politics, etc. Books in the utopian fiction genre are made up of stories about the ideal world, or perfect civilization. There is also no entry for socialism though there is a brief one for communism, as well as for broad religious terms like heaven and hell. Characteristics of a utopian society information, independent. In the book, a visitor to this island tells about his trip there. Wells an imaginary, progressive utopia on a planetary scale in which the social and technological environment are in continuous improvement, a world state owns all land and power sources, positive compulsion and physical labor have been all but eliminated, general freedom is assured, and an open, voluntary order of samurai rules. Utopian socialist etienne cabet in his utopian book the voyage to icaria cited definition from contemporary dictionary of. English translations of the title include a truly golden little book, no less beneficial than entertaining, of the best state of a republic, and of the new island utopia literal and a. Research utopian analysis and design encyclopedia of.
In republic book 7, plato considers whether the musical education the auxiliaries receive which is the most advanced education that they get tends to the good of leading. The encyclopedia of australian utopian communalism bill metcalf introduction this project aims to document all australian utopian texts and all australian intentional communities, or communal groups, at least prior to the mid1970s. Listed here is a short reference guide to each of the spells available that can be cast on yourself. Encyclopedia of utopian literature abcclio literary companion. Utopian definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Despite the fact that the laws treats a number of basic issues in political and ethical philosophy as well as theology, it has suffered neglect compared with the republic. Sir thomas more invented the word for his 1516 book utopia. Utopian meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Dystopian fiction sometimes referred to as apocalyptic literature is the opposite. Utopian socialism, political and social idea of the mid19th century. In recent years, however, more scholarly attention has been paid to the laws.
545 1433 1146 57 1225 1106 1627 393 1359 663 667 634 1610 1321 648 747 980 244 713 63 883 860 729 1098 351 1046 63 969 504 849 207 281 512 749 316