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Progress and crisis are central concepts of modernity. One of the dreams of Enlightenment reason was that humankind would embark on a path of perpetual progress. Whereas often discussed in tangible terms, progress is not only material and should not be temporary. Crisis, on the other hand, disrupts the continuity represented by progress, and happens on the level of individual actors, on the level of collective political action and on the level of institutions. While progress is mainly thought to be man-made, the root causes for crises vary from ecological to man-made, from (geo)political to socio-economic, and their consequences often appear as more or less unpredictable.
The module will concentrate on the historical and societal changes that precede, concur with, and result from crises, while simultaneously exploring the relevance of the historical continuity that comes to play both in and after crises. We will address several concepts: continuity and change, cause and effect, perspectives, evidence, significance, contestability, and empathy. The module is suitable for students wishing to study History, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, and Law.
Module leader: Bálint Emese
