Lassuló idő
Slowing Times

Summary/Abstract: More than half a century has passed since the warning of the Club of Rome. In that time, the processes leading to ecocide have only accelerated, while social responses have slowed. Public interest in preventing the collapse of civilization appears to be waning. In welfare democracies, an invisible glass ceiling hinders radical transformation of the socio-economic order; in totalitarian systems, the logic of concentrated power has the same effect. Disillusioned environmentalists are often overwhelmed by hopelessness. Within the theories of collapsology, emphasis has shifted from resistance to adaptation– toward preparing for the challenges of a post-apocalyptic world. This essay links critiques of the various forms of deep adaptation to a justification of our duty to uphold the moral universe. Following Hans Jonas, I argue that it is not the inherent goodness of things that compels us to act, but the vulnerability of the Good – and our recognition of our capacity to defend it. Committed action does not require belief in success. Rather, a hopeful pessimism empowers us to continue the struggle, regardless of the outcome.

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