In a linear conception of
time, the
future is the portion of the timeline that is still to occur, i.e. the place in
space-time where lie all events that still have not occurred. In this sense the future is opposed to the
past[?] (the set of moments and events that have already occurred before) and the
present[?] (the set of events that are occurring now).
The future always had a very special place in
philosophy and, in general, in the
human mind because a huge part of human
life needs at least a
forecast of events[?] that are to occur. It is perhaps possible to argue that the
evolution of the human
brain is in great part an evolution in cognitive abilities necessary to
forecast the future[?], i.e. abstract
imagination,
logic and
induction.
Imagination permits us to “see” a plausible model of a given situation without effectively observing it in practice (therefore mitigating risks).
Logical reasoning allows one to predict inevitable consequences of actions and situations, and therefore gives useful information about future events.
Induction permits the association of a
cause with consequences, a fundamental
notion[?] for every forecast of future
time. Such abilities in getting at least glimpses about what is going to happen probably were tremendous forces in the
evolution of
mankind.
Despite these cognitive instruments for the comprehension of future, the stochastic nature of many natural and social processes made of the forecasting of future a long-sought aim for people of almost all historic ages and cultures. Figures pretending to see the future , like a prophet or a diviner enjoyed great consideration and even social importance in many past[?] and even present[?] communities. Whole pseudo-sciences, like astrology or cheiromancy originated with the aim of forecasting futures. Much of physical science too can be read as an attempt to make quantitative and objective predictions about events.
The Future also forms a prominent subject for religion. Often religions offer prophecies about life after death and also about the end of the world. The conflict in Christian religion between the knowledge of the future by God and the freedom of human will led, for example, to the doctrine of predestination.
See also futurology, astrology, time, weather forecasting.
A
future is generic name for a contract dependent on exchange of money, goods or services at a future point in time. See
futures contract.