The collapse and its meta-interpretations/ L’effondrement et ses méta-interprétations

Abstract

For several years, the word "collapse" has been resonating in the Western media and scientific world. More than a word, collapse is a concept that refers to a nebulous sphere, and it is clear that it is indicative of a pivotal time in human history. The great complexity of societal collapses requires a certain level of interpretation in the study thereof. Whether it is a contemporary state of affairs or a historical reality, it all comes down to a matter of narrative. However, the collapse that concerns us today is unique as compared to ancient collapses, because it comes down to an alteration of the Earth's conditions of habitability, questioning the great human adventure on Earth. This leads to reflections on the philosophical implications of such a phenomenon. 

What does the success of books on collapse tell us about current imaginings of the future? Is collapse the dystopian side of progress? We have proposed an analysis grid based on progressive, retrograde, and cyclical chronosophies that allows us to highlight the way in which collapse can be inscribed in human history. We have seen that sometimes collapse is perceived as the beginning of a disintegration, and other times, as an opportunity to overcome it. On other occasions it has also been seen as the catalyst for a new cycle. In other words, it comes down to generating meta-interpretations of collapse. 

We have come to the conclusion that there is an incipient quarrel reminiscent of that of the Ancients and Moderns in the Enlightenment. In the narratives, the different visions of human temporality rub shoulders, intermingle, and increasingly come into conflict. The collapse, by clashing with the ideology of progress, once again stems the question of the meaning of history. In this respect, the collapse narratives may well mark a turning point in the evolution of Western thought. 

What does the success of books on collapse tell us about current imaginings of the future? Is collapse the dystopian side of progress? We have proposed an analysis grid based on progressive, retrograde and cyclical chronosophies that allows us to highlight the way in which collapse can be inscribed in human history. We have seen that sometimes collapse is perceived as the beginning of a disintegration, sometimes as an opportunity to overcome it. Sometimes it is also seen as the catalyst for a new cycle. In other words, there are meta-interpretations of collapse. 

We have come to the conclusion that there is an incipient quarrel, reminiscent of that of the Ancients and Moderns in the Enlightenment. In the narratives, the different visions of human temporality rub shoulders, intermingle and increasingly come into conflict. The collapse, by clashing with the ideology of progress, once again opens up the question of the meaning of history. In this respect, the collapse narratives may well mark a turning point in the evolution of Western thought.