Dec 22, 2009

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas | Topics for Further Study

Research William James's philosophy of pragmatism, which inspired Le Guin to write "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas." Do you think that she agrees with his ideas of happiness in society? Why or why not?

A kibbutz is a communal farm in Israel. Investigate the style of living and the beliefs of the people who live in a kibbutz. How does this compare with the way the people of Omelas live?

Give some examples from present-day society in which the well-being of a few must be sacrificed for the good of the whole.