An exploration of the relation between the concepts of 'community' and 'future' in philosophy
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Central Lancashire
Department Name: Sch of Journalism and Digital Comms
Abstract
This scoping study and research review has examined a range of contemporary and historical philosophical approaches to understanding the relation between the concepts of 'community' and 'future'. In two lines of research an overview of six theoretical strands was produced, including virtue ethics, philosophical liberalism, the capabilities-approach, recognition theory, the philosophy of G. Agamben (strand 1) and E. Bloch (strand 2).
It emerged that futurity and future-orientation, although implicitly present, are marginalised as explicit objects of an ontological enquiry in most theories. As a result, philosophers, whilst dealing with ethical relations between present and future community, do so without a sufficient ontological foundation of the relations in question. The 'not yet' of the future is ontologically complex, as is its impact on the nature of community.
To investigate it deeper, the linearity and uni-directionality of future orientation needs to be contested. The future as future needs to be acknowledged as a pool of potentialities and not merely as present reality in waiting. This warrants an exploration of qualitative and relational
aspects of future and future orientation. At the same time the relation between the complex notyet and the constitutive factors of community needs to be articulated.
It emerged that futurity and future-orientation, although implicitly present, are marginalised as explicit objects of an ontological enquiry in most theories. As a result, philosophers, whilst dealing with ethical relations between present and future community, do so without a sufficient ontological foundation of the relations in question. The 'not yet' of the future is ontologically complex, as is its impact on the nature of community.
To investigate it deeper, the linearity and uni-directionality of future orientation needs to be contested. The future as future needs to be acknowledged as a pool of potentialities and not merely as present reality in waiting. This warrants an exploration of qualitative and relational
aspects of future and future orientation. At the same time the relation between the complex notyet and the constitutive factors of community needs to be articulated.
Publications
FELL E
(2011)
The fabrication of memory in communication
in Empedocles: European Journal for the Philosophy of Communication
Fell, E
(2012)
Memory Transition between Communicating Agents
in Journal for Communication Studies, ESSACHESS
Siebers, J.
(2012)
Community and Future in the Thought of Ernst Bloch
in Jahrbuch der Ernst-Bloch-Gesellschaft
| Description | This project has looked at the way philosophical thinking can help us to understand the role of the future in the formation and identity of communities. Every community relates in different ways to its future and this relation is often at the heart of the way a community organises itself. By looking at the philosophy of time, of history and of community we can understand better the cruciul role human expectations, longings, hopes, fears, projections and dreams play in the life of communities. |
| Exploitation Route | This project is of a predominantly theoretical nature. As such it may help to inform further philosophical research into the relation between future and community but it may also inform more applied research that investigates how people relate to the future. A good theory is the most practical thing. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Research-funding/Connected-Communities/Scoping-studies-and-reviews/Documents/An%20exploration%20of%20the%20relation%20between%20the%20concepts%20of%20community%20and%20future%20in%20philosophy.pdf |
| Description | Our findings have been used to inform discussions and debates within the overall Connected Communities program. They have also been used in subsequent philosophical discussions within the academic field. Several Connected Communities projects have addressed the relation between community and time, mostly with direct impact on participating communities. All these projects have benefited from the fundamental philosophical work that this project engaged in. |
| Sector | Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | this project was succeeded by The Time of the Clock and the Time of Encounter |
| Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/J006637/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2012 |
| End | 01/2013 |