2020-03Discussion Papers, Comments, Book Reviews
The Doomsday Argument Reconsidered

Abstract:

In our current unstable world, nuclear warfare, climate crises, and techno nihilism are three perilous clouds hovering over an anxious humanity. In this article I examine our current state of affairs with regard to the imminent risk of nuclear holocaust, rapid climate emergencies destroying the planet, and the cultural and political consequences of emerging technologies on the fate of civilization.  In the wake of innumerable existential threats to the future of our world, I revisit the plausibility of the Doomsday Argument, which predicts the end of human existence.

Keywords:

Doomsday Argument, Doomsday Clock, climate change, nuclear warfare, techno warfare, terrorism, existential risk studies

How to cite:

Mills, Jon. “The Doomsday Argument Reconsidered.” Eidos. A Journal for Philosophy of Culture 4, no. 3 (2020):  113-127. https://doi.org/10.14394/eidos.jpc.2020.0035.

Author:

Jon Mills
Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University
P.O. Box 701, Garden City, NY 11530-0701, USA
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3673-0884
psychologist@sympatico.ca

References:

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Bostrom. “The Doomsday Argument: A Literature Review.” http://www.anthropic-principle.com/preprints/lit/index.html  Downloaded October 2, 2016.

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Mecklin, John, ed. “It is Still 3 Minutes to Midnight.” 2016 Doomsday Clock Statement, Science and Security Board. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 2016.

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Mecklin, John, ed. “It Is 100 Seconds to Midnight.” 2020 Doomsday Clock Statement, Science and Security Board. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 2020.

Mecklin, John, ed. “Closer than Ever: It is 100 Seconds to Midnight.” 2020 Doomsday Clock Statement, January 23, 2020.  https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/current-time/.

Rees, Martin. Our Final Hour. New York: Basic Books, 2003.

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