The point of anti-utopian criticism is not that it denigrates ideals. Rather it asks that such ideals
[sic] be given their proper place in human affairs. Ideals are definers of aspiration. They are
judgments upon us. But they are not surrogates for operative goals. The latter have the special
virtue, and suffer the peculiar hardship, of striving to be reasonably adequate renderings of the
moral ideal while taking due account of the human condition of the historical setting. A practical
goal that does not rise to opportunities is unworthy; but one that ignores limitations invites
its own corruption. (Selznick, 1966, p. v)