endofWorld

The term end of the world refers to the hypothetical scenario in which human civilization or life on Earth is extinguished or radically transformed. In scholarly usage, it is connected to eschatology, catastrophism, and apocalyptic literature. The phrase is also used loosely to describe close calls or imminent threats, or as a personal metaphor.

Scientific perspectives emphasize global catastrophic risks that could threaten life on Earth. These include asteroid or comet impacts, large volcanic eruptions, rapid climate change, pandemics, and nuclear conflict. In astronomy and planetary science, nearby gamma-ray bursts or long-term solar changes are also discussed as potential existential threats. Most scientists assess such events as low-probability in any given year but with potentially dire consequences.

Religious and philosophical perspectives address end-times concepts in various traditions. Many belief systems include narratives of judgment, renewal, or transformation of the world. Secular thought often focuses on resilience, disaster preparedness, planetary stewardship, and the long-term fate of civilizations.

Cultural representations of the end of the world are common in literature, film, and other media. Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic storylines explore survival, ethics, and meaning under extreme conditions. Doomsday scenarios, prophetic narratives, and utopian or dystopian futures are frequent motifs that reflect societal anxieties and hopes about global catastrophe or profound change.