‘And End History. And Go To The Stars’: Terence Mckenna And 2012
January 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1163/ej.9789004178809.iv-375.114 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe essay explores the concept of the 'end of history' through the lens of astronomy and philosophy, arguing that the eventual death of the stars—the heat death of the universe—represents a literal end to history, challenging human-centered narratives of progress and meaning. It examines how this cosmic perspective intersects with religious and spiritual ideas about endings and retribution, suggesting that the universe's physical fate undermines teleological views of history found in political science, law, and religious studies. The work draws on thinkers from diverse fields to propose that confronting stellar extinction forces a rethinking of human values and narratives.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Stars End of history Philosophy Astronomy Physics |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key finding | The eventual heat death of the universe provides a literal 'end of history' that challenges human-centered teleological and retributive narratives across religion, politics, and philosophy. |
Abstract
in: Carole M. Cusack & Christopher Hartney (eds.), Religion and Retributive Logic: Essays in Honour of Professor Garry W. Trompf, Brill: Leiden / Boston 2010, 291-312.