Foundations of Futures Studies: Values, Objectivity, and the Good Society : Human Science for a New Era (Vol. 2) [Paperback]

Wendell Bell (Author, Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0765805669 | ISBN-13: 978-0765805669 | Publication Date: February 1, 2004

Futures studies is a new field of inquiry involving systematic and explicit thinking about alternative futures. Wendell Bell's two-volume work Foundations of Futures Studies is widely acknowledged as the fundamental work on the subject. In Volume 2, Bell goes beyond possible and probable futures to the study of preferable futures. He shows that concern with ethics, morality, and human values follows directly from the futurist purposes of discovering or inventing, examining, and proposing desirable futures. He examines moral judgments as an inescapable aspect of all decision-making and conscious action, even in the everyday lives of ordinary people. Now available in paperback with a new preface from the author, Volume 2 of Foundations of Futures Studies moves beyond cultural relativism to critical evaluation. Bell compares depictions of the good society by utopian writers, describes objective methods of moral judgment, assesses religion and law as sources of what is morally right, documents the existence of universal human values, and shows that if human beings are to thrive in the global society of the future, some human values must be changed.  

Editorial Reviews

Review

"While the tone is sedate, Bell's ideas often strike sparks. Bell concludes futurologists must (and sociologists should) discuss how society ought to be, because our survival depends on our soon restoring the good' to scientific inquiry into the human condition."

–Arthur B. Shostak, Contemporary Sociology

"This book is a masterpiece! It makes an extraordinary contribution to studies of the future."

–Allen Tough, University of Toronto

"A truly remarkable book, reflecting a life-long study of the future and scholarship of the highest ordervisionary--in the best sense of the term."

–Amitai Etioni, George Washington University

“This is an important book… Its major concepts such as values, morality, objectivity, and the ‘good society’ are clearly an essential part of any thoughtful discussion of altruism or solidarity… Bell’s book is especially useful in placing debates about altruism/solidarity in the broader context of universal values and global needs… Perhaps the biggest impact of Bell’s work on the field of altruism/solidarity relates to a shift from merely describing and explaining ‘what is’ to a consideration of ‘what ought to be’… Bell’s book could serve as a foundation for a paradigm shift in how the sociology of altruism/solidarity is practiced… Bell’s book should be required reading for anyone interested in the possibility of a better future.”

– Mathew T. Lee, Altruism & Social Solidarity

About the Author

Wendell Bell is professor emeritus of sociology at Yale University, where he also served as chair of the department. Bell has written more than 200 articles and authored or co-authored numerous books, including Social Area Analysis, Public Leadership, and Foundations of Futures Studies (two volumes).

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Transaction Publishers (February 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765805669
• ISBN-13: 978-0765805669
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,312,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Foundations Of Futures Studies, Vol 2, February 28, 2008

By 

Sarah J. Reeves (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Foundations of Futures Studies: Values, Objectivity, and the Good Society : Human Science for a New Era (Vol. 2) (Paperback)

In the book, Foundations of Future Studies, Vol. 2, Wendell Bell examines "the ethical foundations of futures studies." Because "a great deal of scientific research is directed at creating knowledge not as an end in itself but as a means for solving practical problems or achieving other valued ends," he shows concern for "ethics, morality and human values...[in] proposing preferable futures." He asks his audience, what is a good society and how can we know that it is good?

Bell develops a guide for practical strategies in judging and determining what is a good and desirable future. These strategies include examining the law, assessing religion, and obtaining collective judgments of relevant group members. Because "principals of morality- including a set of core values- are largely the same in all societies and culture," futures researchers can use these guidelines and values to "decide what things, events, arrangements, actions, and consequences are better than others."

Concluding remarks on this book:
As a beginning researcher in the field of futures studies, this book captured my attention and gave a deeper understanding on the importance of ethical and morality issues in proposing alternative futures. By using these guidelines on ethics and morality, I can continue to examine what is a good society and "defend or question judgments of the `good'."