Deepening futures methods to face the civilisational crisis
Introduction
As the sun finally sets on 2020, it is becoming increasingly hard to deny that we face a ‘civilisational crisis’. The emergence of coronavirus as a global pandemic, and its trajectory, is a symptom of a problem deep within our systems, a sign that the way we have been living is fundamentally flawed. Richard Slaughter has long been concerned about the civilisational crisis, however he felt traditional futures concepts, tools and methodologies, while useful and relevant in the context of organisational strategy, were too superficial and lacking in sufficient depth to help humanity to comprehend the predicament it is in and take action towards a better future. Slaughter played a significant role in the journey to futures disciplinary maturity by critiquing the dominant methodological paradigm and deepening futures enquiry to meet the global challenge. He was also pivotal in establishing formal structures, such as the Australian Foresight Institute and postgraduate studies at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, to support the development of the field and social foresight in Australia.
Section snippets
Futures studies and the civilisational challenge
Slaughter asserted that humanity has created a ‘global emergency’ for itself “through its careless expansion and colonisation of the Earth” (Slaughter, 2012). The ‘civilisational challenge’ is then “to comprehend clearly the historical predicament humanity is now in and to respond to it, not superficially, but with clarity, depth and commitment” (Slaughter, 1999c). Slaughter believed that futures studies methods could be moved beyond their “origins in the post-war US in the form of war games
Development of social foresight in Australia
Slaughter (1996b) outlined how futures studies could be progressively developed through five layers to meet the challenges of the 21st century. He argued that, at an individual level, humans have an innate capacity for foresight and have the ability to take a forward view and act responsibly with regard to long-term considerations. However most people raised in western cultures are “likely to be imbued with the characteristic Western outlook” (Slaughter, 1996b) that perpetuates an unsustainable
Conclusion
The civilisational challenge described by Slaughter feels very present in 2021. We are experiencing the effects of a changing climate. Ingrained inequities are fuelling international acts of violence and terror, and threatening democracy as we know it. Family violence is increasing, and more and more people are experiencing mental ill-health. Coronavirus has ravaged societies and economies, the effects of which will be felt for years. It is likely that we have a decade of disruption ahead of
Meredith is strategic foresight practitioner and psychologist with over 20 years of professional experience in the public and private sectors, including small business, education, health and disability. Meredith has had many roles including psychologist, manager, team leader, strategy developer, leadership coach, facilitator and consultant. Meredith is passionate about helping individuals and organisations to find ways forward in complex and ambiguous times. Meredith offers individuals and
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Meredith is strategic foresight practitioner and psychologist with over 20 years of professional experience in the public and private sectors, including small business, education, health and disability. Meredith has had many roles including psychologist, manager, team leader, strategy developer, leadership coach, facilitator and consultant. Meredith is passionate about helping individuals and organisations to find ways forward in complex and ambiguous times. Meredith offers individuals and organisations a bigger perspective and intellectual curiosity. Meredith has designed and facilitated a number of workshops and programs, internal and external, about leadership and strategic foresight. Meredith has a Master of Strategic Foresight from Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia.