Amid economic turbulence, environmental disaster, and political shocks, some observers today perceive a crisis of futurity, manifested in an inability to imagine better times to come, in a mythic embroidery of old times, or in fears of bygone calamities now returned to haunt the world. Under such conditions, the horizon of expectation and hope may darken, making it ever more difficult to mobilize effectively for change or even construct meaningful lives.

On Thursday, two eminent and deeply engaged scholars, historian Robin Blackburn and philosopher Nancy Fraser, will address the problem of politics and vision in our time as well as present prospects for reopening the future. 

On Friday, University of Michigan faculty Lisa Disch (Political Science) and Kali Israel (History) will respond and join Blackburn and Fraser for discussion.

Free and open to the public.

This event is part of the Friday Series of the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies. It is made possible by a generous contribution from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg.