Utopia replaces God by the future. Then it proceeds to identify the future with ethics; the only values are those which serve this particular future. For that reason Utopias have almost always been coercive and authoritarian.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Utopias that prioritize a future ideal often become coercive and ignore present ethics.
- In plain terms
- Trying to build a perfect future often forces people to suffer now.
- What can you take from it?
- Watch out for ideologies that sacrifice now for a better future.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What utopia are you building?
- Who suffers for your vision?
Another view
Some argue sacrifice for the future is sometimes necessary.
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