Teaching about the Future

Lists of Tables List of Figures Preface Purposes Acknowledgements Introduction Introducing the Future Why Teach the Future? The Problem of Prediction The Future(s) Be Prepared Imagine the Future Create the Future The Tricks of Foresight Telling Stories Pursuing Visions The Benefits of Foresight Structure of the Book PART I: UNDERSTANDING Models of Change Introduction Understanding Change What is Change? How Much Change is There? The Four Dimensions of Change A Model of Change: Punctuated Equilibrium 'What can we know about the future?' [Not] Predicting the Future Certainty Assumptions Types of Futures: the Cone of Plausibility Futures Methods Some Definitions Around Methods Thinking about the Future Framework Conclusion Resources Systems Thinking Introduction History Limits to Growth: Three Strikes! Generalization System Behaviours Approach Cybernetic Systems Complex Adaptive Systems Conclusion Resources Perspectives on the Future Introduction History Empirical and Cultural Critical Integral Generalization Approach Causal Layered Analysis Integral Futures Conclusion Resources Social Change Introduction History Generalization Explaining Social Change Critical Assumptions Approach Conclusion Resources PART II: MAPPING Research Introduction History Generalization Choosing a Domain Primary Research Secondary Research Approach Research Supports Framework Forecasting Conclusion Resources Scanning Introduction History Generalization Why Scanning is Difficult Approach Identify Scanning Hits Scan a Wide Range of Sources Operate at Different Levels of the Domain Keep an Eye on Wildcards Keep Track of Your Hits Distinguish Types of Scanning Hits Establish Criteria for Evaluating Scanning Hits Conclusion Resources Forecasting Introduction History Generalization Forecasting Theory Approach: Framework Forecasting Summary Era Analysis Baseline Forecasting Critical Thinking Baseline Analysis Creativity Alternative Futures Forecasting Scenario Kernels Conclusion Resources PART III: