ABSTRACT
Most of the Utopians by the exotic character of their utopianistic projects stirred the imagination of men, and we know that imagination is prerequisite to social reform. The Utopias as they have come on age after age, have served as goals constantly receding, which led the race onward and upward, for most of them have represented the most advanced thought of their age on social questions. The adoption of new ideas comes with the unfolding of social needs. The eventual and complete acceptance may and usually does come, however, in a time of stress or strain, such as results from profound religious, political, or economic changes in national life. A study of Utopias and ideals should teach us not to scoff at the dreamer and the hopeful reformer. Utopians and utopianism, regardless of type, furnish ideals of the character; ideals of extraordinary effectiveness as means and standards.
