Foundations of Futures Studies: Volume 1: History, Purposes, and Knowledge (Human Science for a New Era Series) - Softcover

Bell, Wendell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0765805391 ISBN 13: 9780765805393

Publisher: Transaction Publishers, 2003

Synopsis

Futures studies is a new field of inquiry involving systematic and explicit thinking about alternative futures. It aims to demystify the future, make possibilities for the future more known to us, and increase human control over the future. This book summarizes and expands contributions of futurists to the envisioning power and well-being of humanity. Bell brings together futurist intellectual tools, describing and explaining not only the methods, but also the nature, concepts, theories, and exemplars of the field.

Foundations of Futures Studies fulfills Bell's five main purposes for writing this two-volume effort: (1) to show that futures studies, like other fields from anthropology to zoology, exists as an identifiable sphere of intellectual activity; (2) to create a teaching instrument that can be used as a basic text for core courses in futures studies; (3) to futurize the thinking of specialists in other disciplines; (4) to contribute to the further development and improvement of futures studies; and (5) to provide tools to empower both ordinary people and leaders to act in ways that create better futures for themselves and their societies. Bell maintains that despite its sometimes doomsday rhetorical style and widespread use by special interests, futures studies offers hope for the future of humanity and concrete ways of realizing that hope in the real world of our everyday lives. It will appeal to all interested in futures studies, as well as sociologists, economists, political scientists, and historians.

About this title

Review:

Foundations of Futures Studies represents the finest thinking in the field, as both an original work and a synthesis of existing work.... Destined to become a classic. - Claire W. Gilbert, editor and publisher, Blazing Tattles; ""Arguably the most definitive study ever done of the future studies field and a 'must read' for futurists who want a holistic grasp of it."" - William C. Johnson, Futurics; ""Bell has poured all his knowledge and experience into it, which is no mean matter, and has created a work that is profound, extensive and filled with elements for reflection."" - Papers de Prospectiva (Spain); ""A must read for almost everyone within the social sciences."" - Choice; ""This book is a milestone in the development of the futures field...an ambitious attempt to capture what we know about the study of the future - Bell's version of Francis Bacon's Novum Organum."" - Peter C. Bishop, Technological Forecasting and Social Change

Synopsis:

Futures studies is a new field of inquiry involving systematic and explicit thinking about alternative futures. It aims to demystify the future, make possibilities for the future more known to us, and increase human control over the future. Author Wendell Bell brings together futurist intellectual tools, describing and explaining not only the methods, but also the nature, concepts, theories, and exemplars of the field. Now available in paperback with a new preface from the author, Foundations of Future Studies is the fundamental work on the subject. Bell illustrates how this sphere of intellectual activity offers hope for the future of humanity and concrete ways of realizing that hope in the real world of everyday life. His book will appeal to all interested in futures studies, sociology, economics, political science, and history.

About this edition

• Publisher: Transaction Publishers
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0765805391
• ISBN 13: 9780765805393
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 404