Joop van Hezik brings philosophy to life, in more ways than one. He shows that the ideology of 'economic growth' is the basis of our modern society and economics, and even of our sustainable development policies. In this ideology people and nature seem to be merely instruments for economic growth. This results in destructi on and failure of sustainable development policies at all geographical levels. As Van Hezik clearly demonstrates, we need utopian thinking to refl ect on the real values of life on earth.