This book takes a different approach to the history of philosophy, exploring a neglected theme, the relationship between catastrophe and philosophy. The book analyzes this theme within texts from ancient times to the present, from a global perspective. The book’s focus is timely and relevant today, as the planet is certainly facing a number of impending catastrophes right now, e.g., environmental degradation, overpopulation, the threat of nuclear war, etc.

Contributions by: JeiDong Ryu, Sarah K. Corrigan, Kwon Jong Yoo, John Ross, Steven Cresap, David J. Rosner, Diana Prokofyeva, David Wilkinson, Carsten Meiner, Phil Washburn, Robert Quist, Peter W. Wakefield, Nancy Reale, David Chalfin, Pedro Geiger, Marek Celinski