Activity and epistemological significance of the principle of participation in foresight practice

The article presents the results of research of a forecasting, planning and management of social processes. It is shown that this activity claims to be a complex one, integrating traditional forms of activity that realize cognitive and active attitude to the future (forecasting, planning, design, reflection). At the same time, foresight also performs as an ideological framework that unites the above-mentioned forms of activity without integrating them into a holistic activity. The demands, in response to which the foresight was formed, have been identified. It is shown that the relevance to these demands requires foresight to focus on the integration of various resources involved in the processes of social systems management – epistemic, methodological, organisational, etc. It is shown that in the light of this task, the so-called principle of participation or participatory approach is constitutive for foresight. This principle implies the participation of social actors without proper training in professional activities (which traditionally include social forecasting, social design, management, etc.). A detailed characterisation of this principle is given, examples of its operation in the field of social sciences and social action are given. It is substantiated that the implementation of this principle explains why foresight goes beyond the boundaries of specialised scientific research and science-based social design without turning into a social technology. It is revealed that foresight is characterised by a poly-agent structure, which from the epistemological and activity points of view is also poly-subjective, but in special conditions foresight allow us to move from poly-subjectivity to collective subjectivity, turning foresight into an instrument of social cohesion. Finally, the author’s assessment of the limits and prospects for the applicability of the participatory principle in the practice of foresight is given.

foresight, social sciences, social forecasting, participatory principle, participatory, epistemic subjectivity, social technology, transdisciplinarity, management, polysubjectivity