Jon Askonas is a colleague and friend who presented a fascinating new look at René Girard’s eschatological vision at the NOVITĀTE that I hosted in November. The paper which he submitted at the conference opens as follows:
What is the destiny of mankind? The classical dictum ad astra per aspera has taken on a new meaning in an era where the conquest of the stars, or at least of the solar system, seems distinctly within the reach of mankind. Those optimistic about developing an interplanetary civilization - who foresee for man a celestial destiny - place their hope in man's ongoing advancement in science and technology, alongside a deeper curiosity to explore the cosmos. Of course, theirs is not the only vision of a celestial destiny for humanity: others predict a world in which mankind forever vanquishes disease, discomfort, poverty, scarcity, and all sorts of other limitations. Some even predict that mankind will defeat death itself.
But while in an earlier age, the proponents of a cele…
