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Die Satzung des ersten, 1979 gegründeten und 1980 aufgelösten GIPRI hatte eine antimilitaristische und gewaltfreie Ausrichtung. Nach der Wiedergründung 1980 wurden diese Zielsetzungen abgeschwächt, dafür gewann man an Glaubwürdigkeit in der Öffentlichkeit hinzu. Finanzielle Schwierigkeiten begrenzten die wissenschaftliche Tätigkeit von GIPRI II. Nach ihrer Behebung kam es 1984 zur Gründung von GIPRI III. Die Ziele wurden in der Satzung noch zurückhaltender formuliert. Die Forschungsprojekte weisen jedoch auf die Kontinuität der Arbeit von GIPRI hin. (BE)

These remarks are parts of a historical research on the ideological functions of Catastrophism. It is suggested that in mediaeval monasticism the closing of time might have contributed to the unprecedented technical development of Western European culture between the Xth and the XVth centuries. The opening of time and space conveyed by the scientific and industrial revolutions have led to the ideologies of illimited progressand indefinite growth today officially prevailing in the whole world. It is questionned whether the closing of time inherent to the contemporary ecological movement, as illustrated by Economist Georgescu-Roegen, will contribute to the psycho-sociological mutation indispensable if mankind is to survive.

The concept of the "closing of time" originated with the Christian view of the coming Apocalypse. This conception of time was important in the monastic communities of the Middle Ages. The concept of the closing of time might have contributed to the unusual technological development which occurred in Western Europe between the tenth & fifteenth centuries. The scientific & industrial revolutions led to an "opening" of time which in turn led to an ideology of unlimited progress & growth that prevails today. Imminent ecological disasters are reflected in the outlook of ecological movements & these groups have returned to the concept of the closure of time. The theories of the economist Georgescu-Roegen illustrate this theory. It is not certain whether this revival of the concept of temporal closure will contribute in a positive way to the psychological & sociological changes necessary for the survival of mankind. HA Tr & Modified by B. Annesser.