The Prognostic Function Problem in the Social Sciences  Cover Image

Проблемът за прогностичната функция на социалните науки
The Prognostic Function Problem in the Social Sciences

Author(s): Blagovesta Nikolova
Subject(s): Psychology
Published by: Институт за изследване на населението и човека - Българска академия на науките
Keywords: foresight; social sciences; unpredictability;

Summary/Abstract: Thus the prognostic function of social sciences is becoming a serious issue regarding their legitimacy and benefit for society. Precondition of any foresight activity is the contemplation of contemporary age, which is rather complicated undertaking in view of: (1) the research subject of social sciences and the problem of reflexivity; (2) the transformation processes on a global scale and the accelerated emergence of new factors concerning the future of social reality; and (3) the selection of appropriate methods and the following interpretation. In spite of the aforementioned difficulties, social sciences should pay attention to those loci of regularity, from which stems reliable knowledge of the future in terms of practice requirements, as well as to the possible sources of system unpredictability, the contemplation of which could help any strategic action.

  • Issue Year: 14/2011
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 17-25
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Bulgarian