Description
Book SynopsisFutures 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 a
Trade 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
Table of Contents
List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgements Preface to the 2003 Edition Preface 1. Futures Studies: A New Field of Inquiry 2. The Purposes of Futures Studies 3. Assumptions of Futures Studies 4. Is Futures Studies an Art or a Science? 5. An Epistemology for Futures Studies:From Positivism to Critical Realism 6. Methods and Exemplars in Futures Research References Index About the Author
