5

I'm researching this for an article I'm writing: is there a term or phrase for the desire for the End Times? Given the preponderance of literature, popular and otherwise, that focuses on the end of the world, it stands to reason there should be a specific term for this specific, ostensibly pleasurable manifestation of a mass death wish. There's this Reddit post, which discusses it: Is there a word for the longing for apocalypse/end of civilization?

But "eschatomania," a more Judeo-Christian term referring to "an intensive preoccupation with the prophetic passages or details of the Bible, eschatological charts, prophecy studies, end-times predictions and preaching, etc." is the only real word posted there. Is there another, better and/or less religiously-oriented word or phrase for "Apocalyptaphilia"? Or should we just start using that? :)

Improve this question
14
  • As there is only the religious who speak of this a "less religiously-oriented word" is going to be difficult... The other point is that, theologically, all Christians are looking forward to this event, thus only "eschatophobia" is a useful word.
    – Greybeard
    Commented Feb 13, 2021 at 21:54
  • 'Misguided' springs to mind. Unless one has a firm belief in the coming consummation 'Heaven and Earth in sync' [Johnny Carr] Kingdom of God and is sure one has a place paid for.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Feb 14, 2021 at 16:09
  • @Boaz Well, I'm sure there are a few Walking Dead fans who may be non-denominational, where not outright atheists — and then, there's non-religious me — so, I doubt its "only the religious who speak of this." And I'm asking about desire, not fear, so no "phobias" would apply here.
    – jimiayler
    Commented Feb 14, 2021 at 22:54
  • @EdwinAshworth Why "misguided"? Don't some people wishing for the End Times intend to rot in hell?
    – jimiayler
    Commented Feb 14, 2021 at 22:54
  • 2
    Deleted my own comments to avoid this thread becoming too long. I just want to point out that it's difficult to take the religious connotation out of a human construct that is based in religion to begin with.
    – Boaz
    Commented Feb 15, 2021 at 13:24

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
1

Catastrophism

Wired's article 'This is Not The Apocalypse You Were Looking For' offers lots of ways of talking about those who seem to yearn for the end of the world.

For a single-word choice, there's catastrophism. This is defined more often as

The theory that changes in the earth's crust during geological history have resulted chiefly from sudden violent and unusual events.

But there is a second definition available in American English:

an outlook envisioning imminent catastrophe

For example: In contrast, the rest of the right offered "catastrophism": the conviction that the Republic could be overthrown only by violence.

Improve this answer
4
  • That's a great word, but I'm looking for a some "consummation devoutly to be wish'd" with my "outlook envisioning"
    – jimiayler
    Commented Feb 14, 2021 at 22:56
  • Hmm. OK. I've tried again with 'Millenarianism', but it might still have too many religious overtones.
    – EleventhDoctor
    Commented Feb 15, 2021 at 13:19
  • 1
    No; envisioning does not entail desire.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Feb 15, 2021 at 15:03
  • @EdwinAshworth Of course, it depends what you're envisioning, but envisioning does not, in and of itself, imply desire.
    – jimiayler
    Commented Feb 15, 2021 at 19:54
-1

Millenarianism

Originally Millenarinism was a wholly Christian concept, based on the 'Millenium' of the Book of Revelation, which foretells a 1000-year period of direct rule of humankind by God, after a great catastrophe.

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years. - Revelation ch. 20

However the definition has widened to (as here in Merriam-Webster):

belief in a coming ideal society and especially one created by revolutionary action

As per Wikipedia:

Increasingly in the study of apocalyptic new religious movements, millenarianism is used to refer to a more cataclysmic and destructive arrival of a utopian period...

Improve this answer
3
  • Per my earlier comment above: "belief" might incorporate but is not iself "longing for."
    – jimiayler
    Commented Feb 15, 2021 at 19:52
  • If you believe in something good to come, it's implied that you are longing for it.
    – Stuart F
    Commented Nov 3, 2022 at 9:50
  • @StuartF If only "belief" always implied "something good to come": I believe in the End Times, but I don't long for them.
    – jimiayler
    Commented Nov 4, 2022 at 13:21
-1

Accelerationism

might suit your needs, but be warned it is a philosophy and not just a feeling.

Improve this answer
4
  • 2
    Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please edit to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center.
    – Community Bot
    Commented Jan 25, 2023 at 8:05
  • I think it could potentially answer the question, but I do see that I wasn't clear enough about the word. I've edited my answer slightly.
    – SlowlySwift
    Commented Jan 25, 2023 at 8:38
  • 3
    I think this bends Accelerationism past any of the various existing uses. Follow the link the bot provided to see how to flesh out an answer, so you can better make an argument. It'll likely to closed otherwise.
    – jimm101
    Commented Jan 25, 2023 at 15:19
  • I agree with @jimm101 here: accelerationism may be the result of a desire for Apocalypse, but not a term which defines that desire.
    – jimiayler
    Commented Feb 12, 2023 at 15:42

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .