Book Description

What would the ideal society of the future look like? In 1516, the eminent English humanist Thomas More tried his hand at imagining a perfect society on a distant island. His Utopia was published in the Flemish town of Leuven, home of a university that was established almost a century earlier. 500 years later, scholars of this university revisit More’s best-known work and reflect on the ideal society of the future, using the scientific insights of today, including perspectives which More could never have imagined. What will our cities look like a hundred years from now? How will stem cell research and 3D printing change the world? Will we be able to cure all diseases? Will we be traveling to other planets? Will computers take over? Or will humanity find a way to improve the quality of life for everyone and feed a growing world population? In ‘A Truly Golden Handbook’, more than fifty KU Leuven scholars share their science-based utopian dreams. From the creation of spare organs, artificial intelligence and the genetic future, to global governance, ecological sustainability and pathways to more equality, this visionary book offers a broad interdisciplinary look at the world of tomorrow. Contributors All contributions were written by academics of KU Leuven Conny Aerts, Ivo Aertsen, Marc Boogaerts, Geert Bouckaert, René Bouwen, Frederik Ceyssens, Stephan Claes, Katrijn Clémer, Sara Coemans, Goele Cornelissen, Marc Craps, Joep Crompvoets, Lieven De Cauter, Ortwin de Graef, Jan De Lepeleire, Dorien De Man, Bart De Moor, Koen Devriendt, Rudi D’Hooge, Thomas D’Hooghe, Philip Dutré, Jan Elen, Liesbet Geris, Gerard Govers, Styn Grieten, Karin Hannes, Ann Heylighen, Hilde Heynen, Rianne Janssen, Rudy Lauwereins, Koen Lemmens, Peter Lievens, Katlijn Malfliet, Jan Masschelein, Terrence Merrigan, Yves Moreau, Bart Muys, Marten Ovaere, Jan Rongé, Erik Schokkaert, Frans Schuit, Maarten Simons, Manuel Sintubin, Stéphane Symons, Rik Torfs, Chantal Van Audenhove, Kenneth Van den Bergh, André Van de Putte, Hilde Van Esch, Inge Vanfraechem, Ine Van Hoyweghen, Geertrui Van Overwalle, Peter Van Puyvelde, Arne van Stiphout, An Verburgh, Peter Vermeersch, Johan Wagemans, Lode Walgrave