Catastrophe: Flowing Up the Ground of Reason

Abstract

This essay discusses whether, as Judith Shklar might argue, catastrophes are better framed as injustices. Rejecting this view, the paper argues for a definition of catastrophes as events that overturn our normative categories themselves. Using the Book of Job as an extended example, the essay argues that our usual responses to catastrophes, denial or nihilism, leave out the possibility of a stance of openness that allows for heroism and grace to appear.