New Books in Psychoanalysis Jon Mills, "End of the World: Civilization and Its Fate" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2024)
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Sep 22, 2025 Jon Mills, an Emeritus Professor of Psychology & Psychoanalysis, dives deep into his latest work exploring civilization's fate. He discusses how Hegel's philosophy intertwines with psychoanalysis, and shares concerns about population growth leading to societal collapse. Mills examines the doomsday argument, questioning if technological advancements can mitigate natural limits. He reflects on unconscious tendencies toward self-destruction, the nature of evil, and the complex dynamics of empathy in countering destructiveness. Ultimately, he urges readers to confront systemic existential threats.
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Philosophy Meets Psychoanalysis
- Jon Mills links his Hegelian philosophy background to psychoanalytic work to frame collective human fate.
- He blends metaphysics and psychoanalysis to widen perspectives on civilization's risks.
Population Pressure Raises Aggression
- Mills warns rising population increases pressures that amplify human aggression and societal strain.
- He fears we may see societal decline before population peaks due to intensified conflicts.
Doomsday Argument And Temporal Odds
- The doomsday argument suggests our temporal location raises the probability we're nearer civilization's end.
- Mills uses population growth as part of that probabilistic concern without deep math detail.
