In “Crisis? What Crisis?” Gregg Lambert explores the concept of “crisis” through historical, philosophical, and contemporary lenses, using the COVID-19 pandemic as a focal point. Drawing inspiration from Étienne Balibar’s 2020 lecture, Lambert examines the etymology of “crisis,” originating from the Greek krisis (decision), and its evolution into a medical and political term. He critiques the modern understanding of crisis, arguing that repeated shocks have normalized a “permanent state of excep…
Read moreIn “Crisis? What Crisis?” Gregg Lambert explores the concept of “crisis” through historical, philosophical, and contemporary lenses, using the COVID-19 pandemic as a focal point. Drawing inspiration from Étienne Balibar’s 2020 lecture, Lambert examines the etymology of “crisis,” originating from the Greek krisis (decision), and its evolution into a medical and political term. He critiques the modern understanding of crisis, arguing that repeated shocks have normalized a “permanent state of exception,” where crises are no longer perceived as extraordinary. Lambert highlights the pandemic’s role in exposing global inequalities and the fragility of governance systems, emphasizing the interplay between biopolitical strategies and societal counter-conducts. He questions whether the pandemic has truly created a shared global experience or merely amplified existing disparities. Ultimately, Lambert advocates for rethinking the inherited philosophical paradigm of crisis, suggesting that the concept itself has become abstract and insufficient to address contemporary global challenges.
