Futures studies and the human sciences: the case for normative scenarios
This research report explores the evolving paradigm within the human sciences, emphasizing the shift from traditional, positivist approaches to more interpretive, semiotic methods. It highlights the importance of narrative, the recognition of cultural and individual differences, and the democratization of meaning. The report suggests that norms are not absolute but are shaped by cultural dialogues and are both obligatory and contestable. It proposes a normative scenario where education reform leads to a more enlightened society, capable of addressing technical problems and embracing the sublime in an information-driven economy. This scenario envisions a world where human interactions are reorganized to prioritize human potential and creativity, leading to a lighter ecological footprint and a more just and beautiful world.
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| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Report location: | source |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | Transaction Publishers |
| Authors: | James Ogilvy |
| Geographic focus: | Global |
Methods
The research method used in the report involves a critical review and synthesis of developments across various human sciences, including anthropology, literary criticism, psychology, and sociology. It employs a comparative analysis to identify common features of an emerging paradigm and to propose a normative scenario for the future.
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Key Insights
The research delves into the transformative trends in futures studies and the human sciences, advocating for a new paradigm that embraces semiotics, narrative, and the fall into time. It critiques the limitations of positivism and the pursuit of universal laws, proposing instead a focus on the interpretive and the particular. The report underscores the importance of understanding cultural and individual differences, the role of symbols in shaping human experience, and the potential for a more humane and sustainable future. It calls for a reimagining of norms that are sensitive to the postmodern condition, where values are seen as emergent and contestable rather than absolute.
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Additional Viewpoints
Categories: English publication language | Global geographic scope | anthropology | democratization | disciplines | education | existentialism | information economy | narrativity | norms | paradigm shift | scenarios | semiotics | sociology | strategic thinking | sublimation | time | transgression