Existential hope

Existential hope refers to the prospect that future transformative developments could significantly enhance humanity's potential, so long as we commit to bringing them to reality.[1] It serves as a conceptual counterpart to existential risk, which denotes threats that could lead to human extinction or irrevocably limit humanity's future possibilities. It has been cited as an inspiration by the English rock band Muse.[2]

Definition and origin

The term "existential hope" was introduced by researchers Owen Cotton-Barratt and Toby Ord in a 2015 report from the Future of Humanity Institute.[3] They described it as "the chance of something extremely good happening," and proposed the concept of an "existential eucatastrophe"—an event that increases humanity's long-term expected value to a large degree.[3]

Contemporary usage

Since its introduction, the concept of existential hope has been explored by scholars and institutions involved in futures studies, technological ethics, and longtermist strategy. The nonprofit Foresight Institute introduced a project titled "Existential Hope," which curates resources and discussions focused on envisioning highly positive long-term futures, as well as running a podcast and annual meme prize.[4]

The science journalist Richard Fisher has discussed the concept in the context of long-term thinking: in an article for Big Think, he argues that existential hope involves preparing for opportunities to improve the world, rather than utopian idealism.[5] The anthropologist Beth Singler has analyzed existential hope and existential despair as narrative frameworks in transhumanist and AI-apocalyptic discourse, emphasizing their cultural and psychological significance.[6] In 2025, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk researcher SJ Beard published a monograph on the topic, arguing that existential hope is essential for fostering long-term human flourishing in the face of global risks.[7]

References

  1. ^ Lauritzen, Pia. "From Existential Threat To Hope. A Philosopher's Guide To AI". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2025-08-21. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  2. ^ Skinner, Tom (2026-03-19). "Muse announce new album 'The Wow! Signal' with epic single 'Be With You'". NME. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  3. ^ a b Cotton-Barratt, Owen; Ord, Toby (2015). "Existential Risk and Existential Hope: Definitions" (PDF). Future of Humanity Institute. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  4. ^ Moore, Doug. "Feeling grim about the future? ExistentialHope.com offers reasons for rational optimism." Clearer Thinking, 2018.
  5. ^ Fisher, Richard. "Existential hope: How we can embrace deep time and create the brightest of futures." Big Think, 2023.
  6. ^ Singler, Beth. "Existential Hope and Existential Despair in AI Apocalypticism and Transhumanism." Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science, vol. 54, no. 1, 2019, pp. 156–176. [1]
  7. ^ "Book review: Existential Hope: Facing our future when the signs look bad by S. J. Beard". www.churchtimes.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-03-23.

Sources

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