The Idea
The text presents hope as a theological function and a utopian horizon that hints at the possibility of the emergence of a new humanity. Hope here is not a description of an existing reality, but a meaning that exceeds the present and places it under the question of change. Yet this horizon remains unfulfilled for now, which makes hope an open promise more than a completed achievement.
Concise Formulation
Hope is a theological function and a utopian horizon for the possible emergence of a new humanity
Its Place in the Book’s Argument
This claim occupies an almost concluding place in the book’s logic, because it links critique to a moral and ethical outlet. After dismantling the forms of fundamentalism and political theology, hope appears as a sign of another possibility that is still suspended. It is part of the broader argument that holds that critique is not complete unless it opens a human horizon that transcends the impasse of reality.
Why It Matters
The importance of this claim is that it gives the reading a dimension that goes beyond negative diagnosis. It shows that Arkoun does not merely expose blockage, but retains the idea of a possible future. It also helps the reader understand that the utopian horizon here is not an escape from reality, but a way of resisting surrender to it.
Brief Evidence
The text presents hope as a theological function and a utopian horizon that hints at the possibility of the emergence of a new humanity. Hope here is not a description of an existing reality, but a meaning that exceeds the present and places it under the question of change. Yet this horizon remains unfulfilled for now, which makes hope an open promise more than a completed achievement.
Reading Questions
- Is hope in the text a realistic promise, or an ethical horizon that guides critique?
- How can hope remain open without turning into illusion?
Degree of Documentation
High: the claim appears in a clear location within the book’s material.