Learning what to do in the Face of the Apocalypse? On the Representations and Reflexive Resources of Science Fiction Facing the End of the World

Engaging with the significant increase in (post-)apocalyptic stories and representations in science fiction, this contribution aims at showing why a critical reconsideration of this type of cultural expression is essential to deal with this apparent pessimism and how its contents may be productive for future-oriented social and political thought. The reflexive resources present in these fictions are often overlooked for critical uses. To bring them to light, using a primarily literary and cinematic corpus, the analysis will first identify the predominant visions that are presented and characterize the symbolic contents they assemble. By reflecting on the forms of sense-making that are conveyed, it will then distinguish the functions they can perform. Finally, by considering that maintaining the powers to act is what is important in these (post-)apocalyptic situations, the argument will lead to an analysis of how these powers to act are deployed and the reactions and actions that may be thus inspired for an era of ecological crisis.