Will the Corona Crisis Make Us Better? Activating (Fragile) Hope for Justice

Abstract

There are strong expressions of hope that the experience of the COVID-19 crisis might strengthen our sense of justice and inspire activities that bring about fundamental change for the better. What may we hope for during the crisis and how should we hope? Based on a discussion of philosophical theories of hope and tragedy, I will develop an account of “activating fragile hope,” which is motivating contributions to structural change and resistance against injustice beyond and within the legal system and which remains aware of its own fragility and of the situation of those who have less to hope for.