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On Wor(l)ds and Pandemics
1University of Oslo, ILOS, Oslo, Norway. j.j.locane@ilos.uio.no.
The Journal of Medical Humanities
|July 22, 2024
Summary
The coronavirus pandemic has sparked speculation about the end of the world. By examining historical disease outbreaks like smallpox in America, this study reveals how pandemics signify a world
Area of Science:
- History
- Sociology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The spread of SARS-CoV-2 has intensified discussions about the end of the world.
- Infectious diseases have historically caused societal devastation.
- The concept of the 'world' as a global imaginary community is in crisis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the idea of '(the end of) the world' through historical pandemics.
- To shed light on contemporary eschatological speculation.
- To compare current global health concerns with past disease outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Comparative historical analysis of two scenarios.
- Textual analysis of documents concerning contagious diseases.
- Examination of smallpox outbreaks during European colonization of America.
Main Results:
- Historical epidemics, like smallpox in America, marked a material 'end of one world' for marginalized populations.
- The concept of Pachakuti ('end of one world') offers a framework for understanding these historical events.
- Contemporary pandemics resonate more absolutely as they affect the 'protagonist' of globalization.
Conclusions:
- Pandemics have consistently represented an 'end of the world' for affected societies.
- The current global health crisis signifies a more absolute end for the dominant globalized world order.
- Historical parallels offer critical perspectives on contemporary apocalyptic narratives.
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