On the Edge: Philosophical Thoughts on Teleology and Eschatology

ABSTRACT This is a philosophical reflection on teleology and eschatology which takes its direction from one of the meanings of the word ‘eschaton’ as ‘edge’. It thinks about being ‘on the edge’ in relation to different senses of origin and end. It does this first in relation to what Charles Taylor has called ‘the immanent frame’. It asks what being ‘on the edge’ might mean beyond the immanent frame. These reflections argue for the view that there is finally no immanent frame in any closed sense. The edge is double‐edged, and we are called to a necessary consideration of what lies beyond the edge. On this score, thoughts are offered on Platonic eschatology and Christian eschatology as differently pointing beyond any immanent teleology. In light of the different meanings of being on the edge, a compact meditation is offered on the last things: death, judgement, hell, heaven.