The Philosopher & The News A philosophy of crisis - Miguel de Beistegui
Jun 9, 2025
Miguel de Beistegui, an ICREA Research Professor of Philosophy at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, dives deep into the meaning of 'crisis' in modern times. He examines how the term relates to today’s political landscape, particularly during elections. The discussion highlights the concept of 'polycrisis,' critiques figures like Trump using Guattari’s insights, and explores the implications of ecological and political crises. Beistegui also argues that crises can foster transformative change, urging collective democratic action to confront these challenges.
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Crisis Overuse Dilutes Urgency
- The notion of 'crisis' is often overused, leading to skepticism about what truly defines it.
- Overusing crisis can paralyze action because it dilutes urgency and clarity about priorities.
Crisis: Roots in Judgment
- Crisis originally means a moment of judgment and decision, linked to critical turning points.
- It came from ancient Greek legal, theological, and medical contexts tracking pivotal outcomes in disease or society.
Crisis of Deviation Explained
- Crisis of deviation reflects disruptions that can be managed without overturning the system's norm.
- Such crises are routine and often addressed by management to restore normality, like recurring pressures on health services.
