Utopia vs paradise

[auroraglacialis]

Paradise is in the past and Utopias are wishes for the future?

I think Utopia has definitely the connotation of something unreal - either unrealistic or "too good to be true". In SciFi, Utopias usually end up having some major flipside. I also think Utopias are more ambitious - things have to be better there than one can possibly reach, that makes them impossible. Paradise however is a state that is more worldly.

This is also reflected by etymology by the way. Utopia seems to come from "Nowhere" - something that does not exist, while Paradise comes from a "garden" or "park" (that is maybe even guarded against outside influences).

Also if I think of Utopia, I think of something humans create, while when thinking of Paradise, I'm more inclined to think of something that exists by itself (or if you will by the will of the universe, god, the creator,... ). So a room in which you get food at the punch of a button would be something from some kind of Utopia, while a beautiful sunset on a beach may invoke a feeling of being in paradise.

[caveman]

Originally Posted by auroraglacialis

Also if I think of Utopia, I think of something humans create, while when thinking of Paradise, I'm more inclined to think of something that exists by itself (or if you will by the will of the universe, god, the creator,... ). So a room in which you get food at the punch of a button would be something from some kind of Utopia, while a beautiful sunset on a beach may invoke a feeling of being in paradise.

I think that's a good way of putting it. Although, I never felt there was a need to distinguish the two in the first place. Both generally refer to something of a "perfect place".

It's probably impossible for such a place to exist. Even societies that have a lot in common will differ in what is "ideal". And even more variation occurs between individuals. However, this doesn't mean we shouldn't reach for a better world for everyone. Generally, everyone can agree world peace, global unity, and clean air are good things. We may disagree on what "perfect" is, but I think for the most part we can agree on what is "good".