Risk and Catastrophe. The Failure of Science and Institutions: Finding Precarious Solutions in a Precarious life

Abstract

The aim of this article is to investigate around the life in the contemporary society, characterized by risks and catastrophes. What does mean to live fearing that in any moment a catastrophe could happen (a tsunami, an earthquake, a nuclear explosion)? Despite of the failure of science and public institutions in the prevention of the catastrophes, the question is the following: Can we use the catastrophe as a paradigm of the contemporary uncertain life, trying to mean it as a theme of mediation? Can we use the catastrophe for developing a philosophy of the recognition of the other who has been involved in the same tragedy?

Keywords

• catastrophe, risk, science, institutions, recognition of the other