The Future: A Very Short Introduction

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science
Cover of the book The Future: A Very Short Introduction by Jennifer M. Gidley, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jennifer M. Gidley ISBN: 9780191054259
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: March 13, 2017
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Jennifer M. Gidley
ISBN: 9780191054259
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: March 13, 2017
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

From the beginning of time, humans have been driven by both a fear of the unknown and a curiosity to know. We have always yearned to know what lies ahead, whether threat or safety, scarcity or abundance. Throughout human history, our forebears tried to create certainty in the unknown, by seeking to influence outcomes with sacrifices to gods, preparing for the unexpected with advice from oracles, and by reading the stars through astrology. As scientific methods improve and computer technology develops we become ever more confident of our capacity to predict and quantify the future by accumulating and interpreting patterns form the past, yet the truth is there is still no certainty to be had. In this Very Short Introduction Jennifer Gidley considers some of our most burning questions: What is "the future "?; Is the future a time yet to come?; Or is it a utopian place?; Does the future have a history?; Is there only one future or are there many possible futures? She asks if the future can ever be truly predicted or if we create our own futures - both hoped for and feared - by our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and concludes by analysing how we can learn to study the future. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

From the beginning of time, humans have been driven by both a fear of the unknown and a curiosity to know. We have always yearned to know what lies ahead, whether threat or safety, scarcity or abundance. Throughout human history, our forebears tried to create certainty in the unknown, by seeking to influence outcomes with sacrifices to gods, preparing for the unexpected with advice from oracles, and by reading the stars through astrology. As scientific methods improve and computer technology develops we become ever more confident of our capacity to predict and quantify the future by accumulating and interpreting patterns form the past, yet the truth is there is still no certainty to be had. In this Very Short Introduction Jennifer Gidley considers some of our most burning questions: What is "the future "?; Is the future a time yet to come?; Or is it a utopian place?; Does the future have a history?; Is there only one future or are there many possible futures? She asks if the future can ever be truly predicted or if we create our own futures - both hoped for and feared - by our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and concludes by analysing how we can learn to study the future. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Advancing Human Development by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book The Tectonic Plates are Moving! by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book Discord:The Story of Noise by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book Pluralism in International Criminal Law by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book The Oxford Edition of Blackstone's: Commentaries on the Laws of England by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book On the Origin of Species by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book Jane Austen by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book The International Criminal Court by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book C. Day-Lewis: The Golden Bridle by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book Day Case Surgery by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Critical Management Studies by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book The Bible and Feminism by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book The Failures of Ethics by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book EU Procedural Law by Jennifer M. Gidley
Cover of the book Practical Reason in Law and Morality by Jennifer M. Gidley
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy