Apocalypse without God: Apocalyptic Thought, Ideal Politics, and the Limits of Utopian Hope

by Ben Jones

Overview

Apocalypse, it seems, is everywhere. Preachers with vast followings proclaim the world's end. Apocalyptic fears grip even the nonreligious amid climate change, pandemics, and threats of nuclear war. As these ideas pervade popular discourse, grasping their logic remains elusive. Ben Jones argues that we can gain insight into apocalyptic thought through secular thinkers. He starts with a puzzle: Why would secular thinkers draw on Christian apocalyptic beliefs – often dismissed as bizarre – to interpret politics? The apocalyptic tradition proves appealing in part because it theorizes a relation between crisis and utopia. Apocalyptic thought points to crisis as the vehicle to bring the previously impossible within reach, offering resources for navigating challenges in ideal theory, which involves imagining the best, most just society. By examining apocalyptic thought's appeal and risks, this study arrives at new insights on the limits of utopian hope. This title is available as open access on Cambridge Core.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009017039
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/08/2025
Pages:	239
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Ben Jones is the Assistant Director of Penn State's Rock Ethics Institute and has a Ph.D. in political science from Yale University. His research has appeared in the Journal of Applied Philosophy, European Journal of Political Theory, Political Research Quarterly, and other venues, including popular outlets like The Washington Post.

Table of Contents

Introduction; Part I. Secular Apocalyptic Thought: 1. The hazards of studying secular apocalyptic thought; 2. The paradox of secular apocalyptic thought; Part II. Historical Case Studies: 3. Apocalyptic hope's appeal: Machiavelli and Savonarola; 4. Tempering apocalyptic ideals: Hobbes and pretenders to God's kingdom; 5. Reimagining God's kingdom: Engels and Müntzer; Part III. Implications for Ideal Theory: 6. Ideal theory as faith; 7. Limiting the dangers of Utopian hope; Conclusion; Appendix: Argument against ideal theory's plausibility; Bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

'An important theme of several strands of political and theological reflection is that the line between religious thought and secular political thought is not bright. In many respects, secular political traditions draw heavily on religious ideas, often without realizing it. But by itself this thesis is familiar, glib, and often poorly defended. Apocalypse without God is anything but. The book is original, rich, and reflective. It carefully traces the idea of secular apocalyptic thought in important thinkers and ends with a critique of contemporary ideal theory along similar lines. Ben Jones not only reframes secular political theories from the past, but how much political philosophy operates today.' Kevin Vallier, Bowling Green State University and author of Trust in a Polarized Age

'Visions of the ideal drive great plans and stoke great passions. But great plans rest on uncertain assumptions about the future, and great passions bring their own dangers. Ben Jones argues that embracing epistemic humility can temper the violent excesses of utopian hubris, and check ideal theory’s pretensions too. Yet this same epistemic humility makes space for utopian hope. A thoughtful, incisive, contemporary twist on a classic problem of enlightenment political thought.' Nomi Claire Lazar, University of Ottawa and author of Out of Joint: Power, Crisis, and the Rhetoric of Time

'In this engaging book, Ben Jones revisits the long history of apocalyptic thought in order to explain its persistent appeal. Where some theorists separate religion and secular theory, Jones shows that religious traditions can enrich political reflection today. With lucidity and insight, he describes a circumspect hope that sustains the struggle for justice in an uncertain world.' David Newheiser, Australian Catholic University and author of Hope in a Secular Age

‘… a convincing, concise, and source-based account of the apocalyptic hopes for a future Fifth Monarchy of Christ, which was to replace all other kingdoms.' Matthias Riedl, The Review of Politics

From the Publisher