Foundations of Futures Studies: Human Science for a New Era: History, Purposes, Knowledge [Hardcover]

Wendell Bell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1996

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.

Editorial Reviews

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

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

• Hardcover: 390 pages
• Publisher: Transaction Publishers (September 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560002719
• ISBN-13: 978-1560002710
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,652,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Foundations of Futures Studies: History, Purposes, and Knowledge (Human Science for a New Era, 1), February 28, 2008

By 

Kimberly Seko - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Foundations of Futures Studies: Human Science for a New Era: History, Purposes, Knowledge (Paperback)

With the preface to the 2003 edition, Bell begins this book again with the same purpose for his readers. In volume one alone, Bell distinguishes six main subjects about future studies and how one is to look at alternative futures. In the beginning, Bell goes into great detail about the topic of future studies and examines the roots and development of this new field of inquiry. He searches within theory, and past futurist researchers to find future research efforts so that its topics in each section are clearly to the point. This book summarizes and also enlarges notable contributions from other futurists to help validate Bell's own opinions about the purpose, assumptions, and methods of futures studies as well as questioning it as an art or science.

Bell is continually trying to expose the future and asks readers to think about alternative futures or scenarios with the understanding of its possibilities based on methods, theory and nature. Someone who is unsure of what future studies is or wants to learn more about the topic should begin with this novel because it gives a precise encounter of how these applications are based, used and how forecasting plays an impacting role. Bell does an excellent job at maneuvering scholarly tools to describe the "foundations of futures studies" giving its "history, purpose and knowledge".

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Foundations of Futures Studies, February 20, 2003

By 

Darlene williams (Honolulu, HI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Foundations of Futures Studies: Human Science for a New Era: History, Purposes, Knowledge (Hardcover)

The book begins by giving an extensive background about the subject on future studies. The author introduces such founders to the subject like Lasswell, Kahn, and RAND. Originally futures study/forecasting was primarily used by the military. The author writes, "purpose of future studies are to discover or invent, examine & evaluate, and propose possible, probable and preferable future." Looking to alternative futures and furthering that discussion the author mentions Alvin Toffler. Case studies are then offered to illustrate either how forecasting can predict possible disasters and/or show how alternative futures can shape the future. Re-iterating that point, the author presents nine "key assumptions" and three "general assumptions." Last sections in the book the author looks to the discussion of whether future studies is "science or an art." Followed by a proposal for epistemology for future studies. Lastly, the author reviews methods and describes the methods thoroughly to capture their diversity and ingenuity.

Concluding remarks on the book:
A person who looks to learn/discover the subject on future studies should begin with this book. As a reader, you will begin to discover the introduction of the subject, where it is today, and how people who actively pursue the subject combine/implement the study to everyday use. One important key to future study/alternative futures is the application of forecasting. The author offers a good overview on the subject. Today, forecasting is applied by many companies, corporations, and other institutions.