Climate change, geopolitical crises and social polarisation are shaping our present. It is precisely in this situation that the question of hope arises anew: how can hope provide orientation without being naive optimism? In the ISOE Lecture in the winter semester 2025/26, renowned French philosopher Corine Pelluchon will show how important hope can be as a political dimension. With a view to current crises, she will paint a picture of hope as a transformative force that can turn despair and powerlessness into constructive engagement, thereby counteracting the destructive forces of nationalism and populism.
The Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) is once again inviting guests to its ISOE Lecture at Goethe University Frankfurt in the winter semester 2025/26. The guest speaker will be French philosopher Corine Pelluchon from the Université Gustave Eiffel in Paris. The internationally recognised expert in political philosophy and applied ethics is re-examining the question of hope in the face of multiple crises – from climate change and biodiversity loss to geopolitical crises.
In the ISOE Lecture on 5 February 2026, Corine Pelluchon will examine how hope can develop a political dimension – whereby, for her, true hope is the opposite of naive optimism. For her, hope is not a state of being, nor is it passive waiting for a better future. For Pelluchon, hope is a virtue that enables people to recognise opportunities for social change in an uncertain present and to commit themselves to it.
Hope as a transformative force
Pelluchon is concerned with a realistic examination of the possibility of a collapse of civilisation. In doing so, she not only takes fears in the face of global crises seriously, but also shows how fear, despair and powerlessness can be transformed into justified hope for change: by hope itself becoming a transformative force that can counteract destructive forces such as nationalism and populism.
In her guest lecture in German as part of the ISOE Lecture series, Corine Pelluchon offers insights into her comprehensive philosophical work, which focuses on questions about a future worth living. Pelluchon gained international recognition with her books such as “Das Zeitalter des Lebendigen. Eine neue Philosophie der Aufklärung” (Enlightenment in the Ecological Age)”, “Die Durchquerung des Unmöglichen – Hoffnung in Zeiten der Klimakatastrophe” (Crossing the Impossible – Hope in times of climate catastrophe) and her work on environmental and animal ethics – for example, with her book “Ethik der Wertschätzung” (Ethics of Appreciation). Her works offer astute analyses as well as practical solutions to the central problems of our time.
Environmental ethics: For a just coexistence of all living beings
In her philosophy, Pelluchon combines fundamental reflections on politics and ethics with concrete proposals for greater social justice and justice towards animals, for better environmental protection and for stronger democratic participation. She advocates for an ‘age of the living’ in which a just coexistence between humans and other living beings is central.
To bring about the necessary change, the philosopher proposes a new form of enlightenment that understands humans not only as rational beings, but also as vulnerable and interconnected beings. This self-image sharpens our awareness of our relationships with other humans, animals and the natural environment. According to Pelluchon, it is only the awareness of vulnerability that makes humans capable of development and promotes responsible action.
ISOE Lecture in the winter semester 2025/26
Hope in the context of climate change and the global crisis
With Corine Pelluchon, Université Gustave Eiffel, Paris
Date: 5 February 2026, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Westend Campus, Lecture Hall Building HZ 7
Organiser: Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) in cooperation with the Chair of Sociology with a focus on Environmental Sociology, FB03, Goethe University
The ISOE Lecture is aimed at students, researchers, representatives from politics and civil society, and the interested public. Since 2014, ISOE has been offering a platform for dialogue on necessary socio-ecological transformations.
Contact:
Apl. Prof. Dr. Diana Hummel
Coordinator for Academic Teaching and Qualification of Young Scientists Go to Profile
