Epistemología de la prospectiva y los estudios de futuros

María Mercedes  Patrouilleau

Abstract

The article proposes an epistemological exploration of the field of foresight and futures studies. Knowledge in this field of study tends to develop in a fragmented space, between professional practice, applied research, and decision-making support centers at the international level. Understanding the processes of scientific innovation surrounding future studies can contribute greatly to addressing the current times of high uncertainty, accelerating change, and the transformation of traditional scientific work. It can also contribute to the renewal or integration of perspectives in the social sciences. The proposal begins with a mapping of the main currents that have nourished these studies: futurology, French school, corporate foresight, critical futures studies and anticipation studies; their backgrounds, and main references, before focusing on three key aspects of a common epistemological core: the definition of the object of knowledge and the criteria for validity in its study, the approach to temporality and the pragmatics of methods. A fifth section attempts to assess what these conceptual and methodological contributions may mean for the practice and renewal of the social sciences in Latin America.

Foresight and futures studies epistemology

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