Bergman, Ann (Arbetsvetenskap, Karlstads universitet) Karlsson, Jan Ch (Arbetsvetenskap, Karlstads universitet)
Abstract
The article presents a typology of forecasts, i.e. statements on future events or states. It has two dimensions, truth claim and explanatory claim; each dimension has two values, making the claim or not making the claim. The four outcomes are then: Forecasts which make both truth claims and explanatory claims (predictions); which make truth claims, but not ex¬planatory claims (prognoses); which make explanatory claims, but not truth claims (science fiction); and which make neither truth claims nor explana¬tory claims (utopias or dystopias). We regard each outcome as an ideal type, against which forecasts can be measured. We illustrate the use of the typol¬ogy by presenting a Swedish example of each outcome. The prediction is Dahlbom’s The future of Sweden (Sveriges framtid), the prognosis is Wahl¬ström’s After the acid test (Efter stålbadet), the science fiction contribution is Martinson’s Aniara, and the dystopia is Boye’s Kallocain.
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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Institute for Futures Studies in its series Arbetsrapport with number
2009:3.
Length: 29 pages Date of creation: Mar 2009 Date of revision: Handle: RePEc:hhs:ifswps:2009_003
Note: ISSN:1652-120X; ISBN:978-91-85619-42-9 Contact details of provider: Postal: Institute for Futures Studies, Box 591, SE-101 31 Stockholm, Sweden Phone: 08-402 12 00 Fax: 08-24 50 14 Email: Web page: http://www.framtidsstudier.se More information through EDIRC
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