Imagination, utopia and political philosophy

Abstract
One of the questions that always arise when studying or teaching political philosophy, especially for beginners or non-professional readers, is what is the use of these apparently impossible ideas? If these utopias are not going to be realized, why are they proposed? In the specialized field, for several decades, utopian thought has been exposed to harsh criticism and people like Karl Popper have considered them as the origin of totalitarianism. However, in recent years, the field of studies related to imagination and utopias has seen expansion and transformation, and efforts have been made to consider their positive and efficient aspects. In this article, using recent studies on imagination and utopian thought, attempts have been made to show that imagination and its main product, utopia, are not only tools of thinking but also an inseparable part of political philosophy itself. Therefore, in the education and training of political philosophy, along with cultivating the philosophical and rational thinking, the faculty of imagination should also be strengthened. The research method applied in this study is analytical-explanatory.
Keywords: imagination, utopia, utopian thought, political philosophy, creativity and innovation.
 

Introduction

The teachers of political philosophy are always faced with the questions of students and audience as follows: are such imaginary thoughts and ideas, which are neither possible nor feasible in the outside world, useful? What is their use? In the contemporary era, with the dominance of the attitude of originality of proof and scientism over the fields of human sciences, imagination, and consequently, utopian ideas have flourished, and even some think of the death of philosophy in general, and, political philosophy in particular. In this article, the basic question is, what is the significance of the imagination and design of utopian ideas for political philosophy? And perhaps with more courage, one can ask whether political philosophy is basically possible without using the power of imagination and projecting utopian ideas? In response to these questions, the main idea of the upcoming article is that the power of imagination is one of the most important sources of political philosophizing, and basically, without using this power, not only it is not possible to raise deep philosophical issues, but also it is said that that philosophizing is probably impossible. Imagination through utopian ideas has played an essential role in the formation and deepening of political philosophies. Imagination and utopia as inseparable parts of philosophy and political philosophy, along with thinking, especially rational thinking, are very important.

Text

In this article, after examining the power of imagination and utopian thought and the possibilities that these two provide, their importance for political philosophy has been examined, which are:
2.1. Creativity and innovation in the production of concepts: the language of political philosophy
The creativity and innovation hidden in creativity in political philosophy has led to the production and creation of thousands of political concepts that could not be imagined without imagination and utopian thought. Political philosophy can basically create a new world through the creation of new concepts and words. Our understanding of the world and politics is enriched through these concepts. In this sense, it can be said that without utopian imagination and thought, it would not be possible to produce and create new words and concepts that shape our understanding of the world.
2.2. A different world in political philosophy
Political philosophy presents its idea and work by presenting a different picture of the world – a world other than the current world. The task of political philosophy is not only to describe what exists, but also to present what should be (in the maximalist sense of political philosophy) or what is possible (in the minimalist sense of political philosophy).
2.3. Relativize the present
As was mentioned, one of the important functions of imagination and utopia is to relativize the present time. From classical political philosophy to contemporary political philosophy, political philosophers have served this relativization of the present by providing alternative images for the political order prevalent in their time. This way of looking at the political order always provides the possibility for the audience to imagine alternatives.
2.4. A different interpretation from the past
Basically, political philosophy cannot find a way to the future without interpreting the past. By presenting nightmarish or imaginary images of the past, utopias make it possible to visualize the future. The term "natural state" in the political thought of the parties to the agreement is a narrative from the past to reach the political state in the future. In terms of anthropology, there is no evidence that we can call a period a natural state. However, the members of the social contract had to create the natural situation in the past for the image of the political order they had in the future.
2.5. The principle of change and hope as a substance of political philosophy
Political philosophy has accepted the principle of change by portraying an imaginary or nightmarish past as well as criticizing the present and presenting an imaginary picture of the future. Based on the acceptance of the principle of change, human hope to reach a better life and a better situation is smoothed as one of the main functions of imagination and utopia. In the history of political philosophy, we can mention hundreds of examples of change with hope. From Plato's Utopia to Rousseau's political situation, which inspired the French Revolution, to the political philosophy of Marx and Marxism, which led to the Soviet Revolution, to the New Left political philosophers who inspired the events of May 1968 in France. It may not be an exaggeration if we claim that behind each of the great steps that mankind has taken throughout history, we can find a trace of the collaboration of imagination, utopia and political philosophy.

Conclusion

In the decades after World War II, as a result of the tragedies caused by great ideas such as Marxism in the Soviet Union and fascism in Germany, there was an increasing skepticism towards utopia and of course the role of imagination in philosophy in general, and, political philosophy in particular. However, in the last one or two decades, we have seen a kind of optimistic and cautious return to utopias and to a large extent nightmares in political philosophy. John Rawls reopened the blocked way with his realistic utopia plan. In the last few years, separate groups of studies converged at a point like separate rivers; On the one hand, the power of imagination was placed in the center of attention of psychological and anthropological research and gained special importance and was recognized to a great extent as the power of creativity and innovation. On the other hand, new studies were conducted regarding the role and importance of utopias, and their importance and their constructive role was emphasized, being alert to the lessons from closed and holistic utopias. In this article, with reference to these efforts, a preliminary attempt has been made to show that political philosophy, as a branch of the sturdy tree of philosophy, has been inevitable from the beginning to use the power of imagination, and in a sense, without the power of imagination and Utopian thought not only could not enrich its philosophical language, but also it was not even possible to propose its own ideas. Without the power of imagination, we will never be able to criticize the past and the present, and offering a new plan for the future will be impossible. Therefore, in teaching political philosophy, along with rational philosophy, which is very important in its place, it is necessary to take advantage of the power of imagination and utopia and not to neglect the capacity and creativity of this power.