Lecture 2

https://marketbusinessnews.com/financial-glossary/futurology /

Names
The "futures field" is very
broad, and goes by a variety
of different names: "futures
research", "futures studies",
sometimes "futures
analysis", "futurism",
"futuristic", or even
"futurology"
KEY CONCEPTS
Why future “s”
As the plural term
“futures” suggests, one of
the fundamental
assumptions in futures
studies is that the future
is plural not singular
2
Definition Futures thinking
Futures studies is the Futures studies seeks
systematic study of to help individuals and
possible, probable and organizations better
preferable futures
understand the
including the worldviews
and myths that underlie
processes of change so
each future. that wiser preferred
futures can be created.
Foundational Assumptions

Ray Amara, a former president of the Institute for

the Future once suggested (Amara, 1981) that
there are three fundamental premises upon which
the futures filed rests.

The future is not Future outcomes can be

The future is not influenced by our choices in
predetermined. predictable. the present. 
 “The future can only be imagined”, Riel Miller
(Miller, 2018).
Assumption of IMAGINA
TION

We imagine our future, we imagine our past, we imagine

our present.

We recreate our past, and we act in our present to shape

our preferred future.
 Brain storming
What will be the result of your
assumptions on your future?

How do you feel about your assumptions

and its future consequences?

What can be alternative assumptions and

its outcome on your future?
Breakout Session
 NATURE OF FUTURES STUDIES
There is a debate as to
whether this discipline is an
art or science.
In general, it can be
History studies the past, considered as a branch of
futures studies considers the social sciences and
the future parallel to the field of
history

Part of the discipline thus seeks a Futures studies seeks to

systematic and pattern-based understand what is likely
understanding of past and present,
and to determine the likelihood of to continue and what
future events and trends could plausibly change?
 of Futures
Studies

Links horizon three

Longer-term, (20–30 years) with
from five to fifty horizon two (5–20)
and horizon one (the
years present to five years)
Consciously uses different
ways of knowing, drama or
postcards from the future
to various games.

Futures Studies is about designing the desired future for your organization. Futures Studies is inextricably
linked to strategic management and strategic planning. This means it is concerned with making better
decisions – decisions that will future-proof your organization.
of FUTURES STUDIES
The growth of futures studies is also a
result of the desire of government to find
information that can aid in making better
policy.

Futures studies creates alternative futures

by making basic assumptions problematic.

Through questioning the future, emerging

issues analysis, and scenarios, the intention
is to move out of the present and create
the possibility for new futures.
 of FUTURES STUDIES

Engaging Cultures / Inclusion

Enhancing Creativity

Designing for tomorrow not today

 For 21st Century

Learning and
Digital literacy skills Career & life skills
innovation skills
• critical thinking & • information literacy • flexibility &
problem solving • Information & adaptability
• communications & communication • initiative & self-
collaboration technologies (ICT) direction
• creativity & literacy • social & cross-cultural
innovation • media literacy interaction
• productivity &
accountability
 Staying Alive

https://www.philosophyexperime
nts.com/stayingalive/Default.asp
x
 For two minutes

What do you see? Watch closely.

What do you hear? Listen intently.

How do you feel? Feel intensely.