Assistant Professor, Department of Futures Studies, Supreme University of National Defense, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Futures Studies divergence is still being discussed, since as a scientific field, it is expected to live shortly. In this article, along with considering various definitions and a brief view on Futures Studies’ history, it is shown that this knowledge is formed mostly by western intellectual components. This article seeks to provide suitable contexts for Islamization of Futures Studies. To do this we establish a fundamental analysis of Futures Studies in order to identify its intellectual and ideological infrastructures. Futures Studies has apparent western background both in its conceptual tendencies and affiliations, thoughts and attitudes and also methodologies. Considering the fundamentality of this subject and the imperative philosophical view, in addition to content analysis and interview approaches, philosophical arguments and methodological reflection have also been used. Some of the reasons justifying the western nature of Futures Studies are addressed briefly. The intellectual and scientific course of the great and influential western futurists is complementary to these reasons. Therefore, three great futurists namely, Alvin Toffler, Daniel Bell and Wendell Bell have been chosen as case studies. The findings of this article show that Future Studies can be described by its specific western attribute and since it is a value-based knowledge which necessitates consideration of cultural contexts of society, it is emphasized that Futures Studies requires ideological alternatives at least in non-western communities.