Showing posts with label Utopia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Utopia. Show all posts

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Utopia or Eutopia

The word Utopia derives from the Greek words ou ("not") and topos ("place") and simply means "not a place." Throughout history, there has been countries founded as an Utopia. In history, civilizations that try to achieve a communitarian lifestyle generally disinigrate or end in a repressive rule. The utopian Soviet Union is an example of how Utopia's turn into a repressive rule before falling apart.
Contrasting from a Utopia is a Eutopia, which is Greek for a "good place", and is attainable in the real world. The organizational structure (country, kingdom, etc...) that creates the eutopia consists of a limited government that permits human creativity and achievement. Individual self-interest is not considered a bad thing, because it expresses itself in relationships of mutual benefit that result in productivity and the generation of wealth. Wealth and happiness does not have to be forced in a Eutopia.
Is the Brave New World a Utopia or a Eutopia?

If you are interested in reading more about the difference between a Utopia and a Eutopia, the following link is to a .pdf document that is very informative. Utopia verses Eutopia