Includes bibliographical references and index.

Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Foreword by May East -- Foreword by Patrick Scauflaire -- Author Biographies -- Introduction -- Part 1. Epistemological Outlines -- Chapter 1. Foresight and Civilization -- 1.1. An unpredictable but interesting future -- 1.2. From the melting pot of popular media to the diversity of forward-looking points of view -- 1.3. Changing civilization, the dynamics of disruptions -- 1.4. Examples of megatrends structuring the future -- 1.5. Foresight epistemology and epistemology of foresight -- Chapter 2. Cultures and Trajectories

2.1. Foundations of civilizations -- 2.2. The "sinicization" of the world and the exercise of power -- 2.3. The pressure on the West and the risks of disintegration -- 2.4. The South and the modernization of societies -- 2.5. Confrontations and conflicts -- 2.6. Facing climate change -- 2.7. Conclusion -- Chapter 3. Forward-Looking Design of Evolution -- 3.1. The search to answer questions about the future -- 3.2. Foresight as the design of human society -- 3.3. History -- 3.4. The dynamics of collective forces -- 3.5. The spiritual questioning -- 3.6. The active imagination of the future

Part 2. Foresight at the Service of Action -- Chapter 4. A European Perspective on Foresight -- 4.1. Understanding foresight applied to European policies -- 4.2. Foresight for European policies in practice -- 4.2.1. Context -- 4.2.2. Methods -- 4.2.3. A 2040 vision for the customs union -- 4.2.4. Reference scenarios for long-term strategic thinking -- 4.2.5. Foresight for better regulation -- 4.2.6. Short formats to engage decision-makers -- 4.3. How can "good" foresight be achieved? -- 4.4. Conclusion -- Chapter 5. Foresight in Order to Act Ethically

5.1. Analyzing megatrends to question the future -- 5.2. Defining possible bifurcations and disruptions in order to accelerate transitions -- 5.3. Acting on socio-economic trajectories in order to make choices -- 5.4. Conclusion -- Chapter 6. Foresight at the Service of Innovation -- 6.1. The art of deciding in an uncertain world -- 6.1.1. The essence and role of foresight -- 6.1.2. A holistic and operational approach -- 6.2. Innovation strategy in companies in the context of transition -- 6.2.1. The new industrial and societal situation -- 6.2.2. The different innovation strategies

6.3. Foresight and support for innovation in companies -- 6.3.1. Analysis of the innovative ecosystem -- 6.3.2. Consequences of the innovative investment -- 6.3.3. Foresight approach and radical innovation -- 6.4. Conclusion -- Chapter 7. Acting and Evaluating through Values in the Long Term -- 7.1. The question of foresight applied to territories -- 7.2. Initiating change with action research -- 7.2.1. Better understanding of the issues at work -- 7.2.2. From the initiation of the project to the collective construction process

7.2.3. Getting to grips with the subject: integrating biodiversity? Field surveys

Description based on online resource; title from digital title page (viewed on August 16, 2023).

In the same way as there are many futures, not just one, there are many ways to conceive and practice foresight. The challenge of the great turning point of our civilization is to free ourselves from our prejudices in order to imagine and build desirable futures. The process is, by nature, ethical and prospective. In a complex, uncertain and geopolitically transforming world, we must be open to the diversity of cultures and the different perceptions of the future. This requires us to reflect on the purpose and means of our societies. Futures proposes different cultural and ethical views on civilizational transformation by offering a rare, transnational panorama of the visions of the future in a European, American and Chinese context. Through numerous examples, this book illustrates how foresight is practiced and what this can achieve in strategic terms.

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