How did we catch it?How did we catch it?

What is the cure?What is the cure?

(c) 2007(c) 2007 -- Peter C. NewtonPeter C. Newton--EvansEvans

Ubiquity of Social Dilemmas:Ubiquity of Social Dilemmas: if everyone does whatif everyone does whatis expected of them, the system breaks downis expected of them, the system breaks down

Ecological dilemma:Ecological dilemma: beyond the point of no return,beyond the point of no return,borrowing from future (stealing from our children)borrowing from future (stealing from our children)

Economic dilemma:Economic dilemma: unbridled capitalism generates itsunbridled capitalism generates itsEconomic dilemma:Economic dilemma: unbridled capitalism generates itsunbridled capitalism generates itsown dilemmas of volatility, instability and collapse.own dilemmas of volatility, instability and collapse.

Political dilemma:Political dilemma: The shameful theater of party politicsThe shameful theater of party politicshas the masses cynical and nonhas the masses cynical and non--participatory.participatory.

International dilemma:International dilemma: The national security system isThe national security system isgenerating war instead of preventing it, as supposed.generating war instead of preventing it, as supposed.

Collapse of an old world:Collapse of an old world: and simultaneous birthand simultaneous birthpangs of a new world civilization.pangs of a new world civilization.

Resetting society:Resetting society: from competition, winfrom competition, win--lose, zero/lose, zero/negative sum, to cooperation, winnegative sum, to cooperation, win--win, positive sumwin, positive sum

Living within our planetary means:Living within our planetary means: from recklessfrom recklessconsumption to environmental sustainabilityconsumption to environmental sustainability

Curbing the extremes of wealth and poverty:Curbing the extremes of wealth and poverty: fromfromCurbing the extremes of wealth and poverty:Curbing the extremes of wealth and poverty: fromfromunbridled accumulation to social accountabilityunbridled accumulation to social accountability

Proactive human rights:Proactive human rights: from fighting for legal rightsfrom fighting for legal rightsto social stewardship of each human lifeto social stewardship of each human life

A worldA world--wide federation of nations:wide federation of nations: from nationfrom nation––statestateto worldto world––state, under a universal legal systemstate, under a universal legal system

And many more…And many more…

Isn’t this allIsn’t this all

UtopianUtopian

idealism?idealism?

UtopiaUtopia = “without place,"= “without place,"coined from Greek roots bycoined from Greek roots bySir Thomas More in 1516Sir Thomas More in 1516

EutopiaEutopia = a “good place,"= a “good place,"the opposite of...the opposite of...

DystopiaDystopia = a “bad place,”= a “bad place,”DystopiaDystopia = a “bad place,”= a “bad place,”or a utopia proven false.or a utopia proven false.

UtopophiliaUtopophilia = belief in= belief inthe possibility of athe possibility of abetter future.better future.

UtopophobiaUtopophobia = an= anirrational rejectionirrational rejectionof all utopias; a socialof all utopias; a socialpathology of thepathology of the2020thth Century.Century.

1919thth CenturyCentury: Belief in human goodness,: Belief in human goodness,

social progress, utopophilia.social progress, utopophilia.

2020thth CenturyCentury: Dystopia & utopophobia.: Dystopia & utopophobia.2020thth CenturyCentury: Dystopia & utopophobia.: Dystopia & utopophobia.

TodayToday: Utopian = unrealistic, impossible.: Utopian = unrealistic, impossible.

ProblemProblem: Pessimism prevents change.: Pessimism prevents change.

ProposalProposal: Bring back Utopia!: Bring back Utopia!

Social Function ofSocial Function ofLiterary UtopiasLiterary Utopias

Training, Escape and CatharsisTraining, Escape and Catharsis

Purpose, Identity and InspirationPurpose, Identity and InspirationPurpose, Identity and InspirationPurpose, Identity and Inspiration

Critiques of Contemporary SocietyCritiques of Contemporary Society

Visions of future; proposals for changeVisions of future; proposals for change

Social “Laboratories” or “Experiments”Social “Laboratories” or “Experiments”

Exploration of Philosophical HypothesesExploration of Philosophical Hypotheses

Social Function:Social Function:Training, Escape and CatharsisTraining, Escape and Catharsis

RuppertRuppert: “Some utopias are fictitious, playful: “Some utopias are fictitious, playful

explorations” of different aspects of society.explorations” of different aspects of society.

MeansMeans:: EutopianEutopian and dystopian novels and films.and dystopian novels and films.

The danger inThe danger in eutopiaseutopias: Clinging to an imaginary world: Clinging to an imaginary world

like a drug that paralyzes action and impoverishes lifelike a drug that paralyzes action and impoverishes life

through ‘negation’, like Harry Potter's wishing mirrorthrough ‘negation’, like Harry Potter's wishing mirror

that trapped him in a fantasy.that trapped him in a fantasy.

The danger in dystopiasThe danger in dystopias: Representing violence is not: Representing violence is not

only cathartic, but also increases social violence andonly cathartic, but also increases social violence and

deepens the prevailing pessimism and negativism.deepens the prevailing pessimism and negativism.

Social Function:Social Function:Purpose, Identity, InspirationPurpose, Identity, Inspiration

AfnánAfnán: “People need a sense of purpose in life, to know not only: “People need a sense of purpose in life, to know not only

where they are going as individuals, but also the meaning of theirwhere they are going as individuals, but also the meaning of their

lives in the overall plan of the universe.”lives in the overall plan of the universe.”

PreteritPreterit EutopiasEutopias: A sense of guilt for losing paradise, or of: A sense of guilt for losing paradise, or ofPreteritPreterit EutopiasEutopias: A sense of guilt for losing paradise, or of: A sense of guilt for losing paradise, or of

historical identity: our ‘glorious past’ made us who we are.historical identity: our ‘glorious past’ made us who we are.

Preterit DystopiasPreterit Dystopias: Lessons to avoid future mistakes or warnings: Lessons to avoid future mistakes or warnings

of divine chastisement.of divine chastisement.

FuturisticFuturistic EutopiasEutopias: Inspire hope of a better world to be built, or: Inspire hope of a better world to be built, or

of a heaven or Kingdom of God to be won or inherited.of a heaven or Kingdom of God to be won or inherited.

Futuristic DystopiasFuturistic Dystopias: Fear of the final judgment or hell, or warning: Fear of the final judgment or hell, or warning

of what will happen if we continue down the present path.of what will happen if we continue down the present path.

Social Function:Social Function:Critique of Contemporary SocietyCritique of Contemporary Society

They say what is wrong with the world, what is needed to improveThey say what is wrong with the world, what is needed to improve

it, and what to expect of the future.it, and what to expect of the future.

AfnánAfnán: “Utopian novels can be critiques of present: “Utopian novels can be critiques of present--day society, aday society, a

warning or alert, a call to change, a manual for reform.”warning or alert, a call to change, a manual for reform.”warning or alert, a call to change, a manual for reform.”warning or alert, a call to change, a manual for reform.”

UpUp--scalingscaling: They take ideas, proposals or circumstances to their: They take ideas, proposals or circumstances to their

ultimate consequences to judge their value.ultimate consequences to judge their value.

RuppertRuppert: They encourage critical thought, creating tension: They encourage critical thought, creating tension

between present society and its utopian alternative. They putbetween present society and its utopian alternative. They put

readers between “an unacceptable social reality and an impossiblereaders between “an unacceptable social reality and an impossible

utopian dream,” obliging them to question their own socialutopian dream,” obliging them to question their own social

beliefs.beliefs.

Social Function:Social Function:Vision of a Possible FutureVision of a Possible Future

RuppertRuppert: “Utopian literature offers us diverse visions reflecting: “Utopian literature offers us diverse visions reflectingthe dreams of those who built them.”the dreams of those who built them.”

King SolomonKing Solomon: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Buckminster FullerBuckminster Fuller: “We need to choose between utopia and: “We need to choose between utopia andBuckminster FullerBuckminster Fuller: “We need to choose between utopia and: “We need to choose between utopia anddisappearing.”disappearing.”

Be realisticBe realistic: Double reality: Double reality -- actual and potential. Imagining theactual and potential. Imagining thehouse before building it. Martin Luther King's "dream." Selfhouse before building it. Martin Luther King's "dream." Self--fulfilling prophesies. Seeds of what may come.fulfilling prophesies. Seeds of what may come.

BellamyBellamy: “The dawn of the new era is already close, and the: “The dawn of the new era is already close, and theplenitude of day is soon to follow. The Golden Age is beforeplenitude of day is soon to follow. The Golden Age is beforeus.” (us.” (Looking BackwardLooking Backward))

RuppertRuppert: “Rather than the antithesis of utopia, anti: “Rather than the antithesis of utopia, anti––utopia is itsutopia is itsreversal. We know what utopia is by learning what it is not.”reversal. We know what utopia is by learning what it is not.”

Social Function:Social Function:Proposals for Social ChangeProposals for Social Change

RuppertRuppert: Some utopias are “solemn, serious proposals: Some utopias are “solemn, serious proposalsmeant for immediate implementation.”meant for immediate implementation.”

Julio VerneJulio Verne: “Whatever a man can imagine, others can: “Whatever a man can imagine, others canmake a reality.”make a reality.”make a reality.”make a reality.”

Proposals going more than a few steps beyond currentProposals going more than a few steps beyond currentsituation are perceived as ‘utopian’ or impractical.situation are perceived as ‘utopian’ or impractical.

StrategiesStrategies: Break them down into smaller goals that are: Break them down into smaller goals that areeasier to meet. Cultivate a broader historical vision. Useeasier to meet. Cultivate a broader historical vision. Useartistic inspiration, rhetorical convincing and scientificartistic inspiration, rhetorical convincing and scientificillustration to mobilize the masses of humanity towardsillustration to mobilize the masses of humanity towardschange.change.

Social Function:Social Function:The "Social Laboratories"The "Social Laboratories"

Utopian ExperimentsUtopian Experiments: They act as models of proposed forms in: They act as models of proposed forms inaction and referents for studying their practical usefulness.action and referents for studying their practical usefulness.

Seek the lightSeek the light: Study trials with a not too critical eye, but rather: Study trials with a not too critical eye, but ratherseeking any light thrown on the issue. Example: 'Intentionalseeking any light thrown on the issue. Example: 'Intentionalcommunities', whether religious, political or economic, such ascommunities', whether religious, political or economic, such ascommunities', whether religious, political or economic, such ascommunities', whether religious, political or economic, such asthe Brüderhof and Cuba.the Brüderhof and Cuba.

ConditionsConditions:: (1) That the experiment be respected by all;(1) That the experiment be respected by all;(2) That participation be voluntary, not forced.(2) That participation be voluntary, not forced.

When they failWhen they fail: Not failure of the experiment, but of the model.: Not failure of the experiment, but of the model.Shows the world that the proposal was erroneous.Shows the world that the proposal was erroneous.

IdeologiesIdeologies: Do not cling to failed models, such as materialism,: Do not cling to failed models, such as materialism,whether of East or West, Left or Right. When a hypothesis iswhether of East or West, Left or Right. When a hypothesis isfalsified, a scientist accepts this and seeks a better answer.falsified, a scientist accepts this and seeks a better answer.

Social Function:Social Function:Exploring Philosophical HypothesesExploring Philosophical Hypotheses

Common questionsCommon questions::

How important is historicity to social wellbeing?How important is historicity to social wellbeing?

Is progress inevitable, contingent, or impossible?Is progress inevitable, contingent, or impossible?Is progress inevitable, contingent, or impossible?Is progress inevitable, contingent, or impossible?

Can we reach perfection, or will challenges remain?Can we reach perfection, or will challenges remain?

Does society determine the individual, or viceDoes society determine the individual, or vice--versa?versa?

Relationship between power, freedom and happiness.Relationship between power, freedom and happiness.

Is happiness material, or can joy be transcendent?Is happiness material, or can joy be transcendent?

Are unity & diversity necessarily opposites?Are unity & diversity necessarily opposites?

A good vision should:A good vision should:

Be based on shared principles,Be based on shared principles,ideals and valuesideals and values

A Corporate Vision of aA Corporate Vision of aDesired Future for the WorldDesired Future for the World

Be based on shared principles,Be based on shared principles,ideals and valuesideals and values

Be feasibleBe feasible

Pose a challengePose a challenge

Touch the nobleTouch the nobleessence of man.essence of man.

Vision and ContextVision and Context

“Crisis” as danger:“Crisis” as danger:

ContextContext ––> Vision = Obstacles> Vision = ObstaclesContextContext ––> Vision = Obstacles> Vision = Obstacles

“Crisis” as opportunity:“Crisis” as opportunity:

VisionVision ––> Context = Opportunities> Context = Opportunities

Dynamics of VisionDynamics of Vision

Vision of anVision of anideal situationideal situationRaise currentRaise current

situation tosituation tovisionvision

Understanding theUnderstanding thecurrent situationcurrent situation

visionvision

Lower the visionLower the visionto the currentto the current

situationsituation

Degree of CommitmentDegree of Commitment

PersonalVision

PersonalVision

InstitutionalVision

InstitutionalVision

Higher level ofcommitment

Lower Level ofcommitment

Historical ProjectHistorical Project

A clear view of a historical process (past,A clear view of a historical process (past,present and future), our current place inpresent and future), our current place init, and what task is required of us now.it, and what task is required of us now.it, and what task is required of us now.it, and what task is required of us now.

With this understanding, a society can:With this understanding, a society can:

preserve the essential, positive elements ofpreserve the essential, positive elements ofits culture;its culture;

consult on how to change secondary orconsult on how to change secondary ornegative elements.negative elements.

Types of UtopiasTypes of Utopias

Definitive vs. ProgressiveDefinitive vs. Progressive

Revolutionary vs. GradualRevolutionary vs. Gradual

EutopiasEutopias vs. Dystopiasvs. Dystopias

Isolated vs. IntegratedIsolated vs. Integrated

Binary Pairs – Claude Lévi-Strauss

Revolutionary vs. GradualRevolutionary vs. Gradual

Power vs. FreedomPower vs. Freedom

Freedom vs. HappinessFreedom vs. Happiness

Uniformity vs. DiversityUniformity vs. Diversity

Materialistic vs. HumanisticMaterialistic vs. Humanistic

Isolated vs. IntegratedIsolated vs. Integrated

AhistoricalAhistorical vs. Historicalvs. Historical

Necessary vs. ContingentNecessary vs. Contingent

Individualism/collectivismIndividualism/collectivism

Absolute vs. RelativeAbsolute vs. Relative

Patience withPatience withProcessesProcesses

If this planet’s life were equal to 24 hours, manIf this planet’s life were equal to 24 hours, manwould have appeared the last minute of the day.would have appeared the last minute of the day.

This gives us patience, and we are not surprisedThis gives us patience, and we are not surprisedThis gives us patience, and we are not surprisedThis gives us patience, and we are not surprisedat resistance to change.at resistance to change.

Let us emphasize guiding children and youth:Let us emphasize guiding children and youth:their minds are more receptive to new ideas.their minds are more receptive to new ideas.

A good historical perspective gives us longA good historical perspective gives us long--term commitment.term commitment.

Words ofWords ofEncouragementEncouragement

“Do not think the peace of the world an ideal“Do not think the peace of the world an ideal imim--

possible to attain! Nothing is impossible... Do notpossible to attain! Nothing is impossible... Do not

despair! Work steadily... How many seeminglydespair! Work steadily... How many seemingly

impossible events are coming to pass in theseimpossible events are coming to pass in theseimpossible events are coming to pass in theseimpossible events are coming to pass in these

days! Take courage! Let your hearts be filled withdays! Take courage! Let your hearts be filled with

the strenuous desire that tranquility & harmonythe strenuous desire that tranquility & harmony

may encircle all this warring world. So will successmay encircle all this warring world. So will success

crown your efforts... Many a cause which pastcrown your efforts... Many a cause which past

ages have regarded as purely visionary, in this dayages have regarded as purely visionary, in this day

has become easy and practicable.has become easy and practicable.

Words ofWords ofEncouragementEncouragement

“Why should this most great Cause“Why should this most great Cause -- the daystarthe daystar

of the firmament of true civilization and theof the firmament of true civilization and the

cause of the glory, advancement, wellcause of the glory, advancement, well--being andbeing and

success of all humanitysuccess of all humanity -- be rebe re--success of all humanitysuccess of all humanity -- be rebe re--

gardedgarded impossible to achieve?impossible to achieve?

Surely the day will come whenSurely the day will come when

its beauteous light shall shedits beauteous light shall shed ilil--

luminationlumination on the assemblageon the assemblage

of man.”of man.”

(‘Abdu’l(‘Abdu’l--Bahá)Bahá)

http.cultureofpeaceprogram.orghttp.cultureofpeaceprogram.org