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Knowing our future: The startling case for futurology
Author(s): Michael Lee (Author)
- Publisher: Infinite Ideas
- Publication Date: 23 Nov. 2012
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 208 pages
- ISBN-10: 1906821984
- ISBN-13: 9781906821982
Book Description
The received conventional wisdom within the global futurist community is that the future is unknowable. Knowing our future outlines a full theory of how knowable the future really is. Using case studies of prescient predictions of the social future from the time of the French Revolution through to the present Michael Lee argues that there are sound theoretical grounds for establishing a science of the future and accurately predicting it time after time. Drawing on mathematics, social theory, physics, economics, social biology and philosophy and referencing great thinkers from the Marquis de Condorcet, Herbert Spencer, Newton, Einstein, George Bernard Shaw, Stephen Hawking, Bertrand Russell and Roger Penrose, amongst others, Lee brilliantly presents the argument that the future, far from being mysterious and unknowable, can be understood and predicted.
Editorial Reviews
Review
This is a well articulated and deeply thoughtful book that reveals the philosophy and logic for the development of the theory for a science of the future. The author combines his specialist knowledge of the futures field with an in-depth grasp of the philosophy of science, so that his work outclasses contemporary social science writings on the art of futures studies. By examining the scientific approaches of pioneers in the futures field, encompassing cosmology, energy resources, population dynamics, economics, social and political science, urbanisation and transportation, and technological development this deserves to become a popular science classic. More importantly it should be on the reading list for university courses in futurology. –Robert H. Samet, author
This book sharpens the lens for seeing the future, as if it were already history. –Michael Cushman, Board Member of the Futurist Think Tank, The DaVinci Institute
About the Author
Michael Lee is CEO of the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA), a global trade association with over 2500 members in 60 countries. He is also an internationally renowned futurist and founder and current chairman of the South African Chapter of the World Future Society. He lives in Durbanville, South Africa.
