This book places the contemporary fear of climate change in historical perspective, showing that throughout human history the dominant perspective on the future has been one of fear. Across a broad historical sweep, the book describes the varied means employed to predict and control the future: magic, religion, science, and technology. Future Fear traces fear of the future from prehistory to the present, culminating in the contemporary fear of imminent climate change catastrophe. Consideration is also given to hope in a more positive future, revealing that visions of the future have often been a mingling of fear and hope.
1. Introduction.- 2. Future-Shaping: Traditional Cultures.- 3. Ancient Future Fear.- 4. Apocalypse: Post-Classical Culture and Renaissance.- 5. Science Builds the Future: Enlightenment to Nineteenth Century.- 6. Techno-Future: Twentieth Century: 1900-1950.- 7. New Forms of Fear: 1950-2000.- 8. The New Apocalypse: Twenty-First Century.
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