Utopia

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/utopia

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Who wrote Utopia?Sir Thomas More, 'Utopia', 1516
2. What is the etymological roots?Greek 'ou-topos' (no place) and 'eu-topos' (good place)
3. What is the primary function of early utopian literature?Social and political critique through the presentation of an idealized society
4. Why did Sir Thomas More write Utopia?More wrote Utopia to show how a better society could exist. He wanted people to think about problems like poverty, religious intolerance, and a harsh justice system.
5. What are some rules in a Utopian society?In a Utopian society, private property is abolished so there are no class differences. People work together for a short time and then have lots of free time for learning, art, and helping the community. Leaders are chosen for their wisdom and care for everyone.

Humanism: An intellectual movement that emphasized human potential, reason, and secular concerns over purely religious ones.
Social Engineering: The deliberate attempt to manage or shape the behavior and development of society through planning and intervention.
Political Philosophy: The study of fundamental questions about government, the state, justice, liberty, and the enforcement of laws.