Utopophobia

More about the book

The book explores the tension between idealism and realism in political philosophy, specifically contrasting "ideal theory" with "non-ideal theory." David Estlund challenges the notion that justice must be realistic or that understanding it is pointless if it cannot be achieved. He critiques prevailing views, arguing that the pursuit of justice may still hold value even if it seems unattainable. Estlund's work engages with traditional and contemporary political thought, questioning the assumption that political philosophy's primary role is to provide practical guidance for achieving social justice.