Abstract

This chapter enquires into the function of diagnosis of the times as a forward-looking model. In order to do so, diagnosis of the times is compared with scenarios of future society, as both of these types of future study have a long tradition in sociology. For this purpose, a two-by-two matrix of ideal types of future studies in the social sciences is constructed in order to analyze the differences and similarities of these types. The analysis shows that diagnosis of the times focuses on processes of change, whereas scenario of future society focuses on the outcome of change. On this basis, the two types of future studies are analyzed in how they function as forward-looking models that facilitate anticipatory behavior. The conclusion is that diagnosis of the times facilitates decision making by taking bearings of the direction of change, whereas scenarios of future society facilitates decision making by drawing attention to the need to make changes. In order to enquire into the former, the two major traditions of diagnosis of the times are analyzed, namely diagnosing social pathologies and tendencies in the times. Finally, the future of diagnosis of the times is discussed and illustrated by a diagnosis of the future of employment and the consequences of education.