Transition versus Bifurcation: “Individual Acts and Collective Acts: How Can We Interpret and Understand the World Today?”

The concepts of transition and bifurcation now occupy a central place in scientific, political, and institutional discourse on ecological, technological, and social transformations. Transition is generally understood as a gradual, linear, and manageable process based on societal adaptation.

Conversely, a fork in the road refers to a process of rupture, characterized by uncertainty, non-linearity, and choices that are difficult to reverse.

Drawing on critical scholarship in the humanities and social sciences, it is evident that the dominant narrative of transition tends to obscure the political conflicts, normative choices, and power dynamics at play in contemporary transformations. These trajectories are not merely technical adjustments, but involve institutional trade-offs and socio-technical imaginaries that render certain futures more legitimate than others.

These study days aim to examine these analytical frameworks by fostering a dialogue between the sciences, the arts, and public engagement, with the goal of better understanding and responding to a context of systemic crisis. They highlight the contribution of artistic practices and responsible innovation in addressing situations of upheaval, strengthening individual and collective agency, and developing a critical and sensitive approach to transformation.