Yesterday's Tomorrows

<p>First published in 1968 <i>Yesterday's Tomorrows </i>elucidates on the favourite occupation of man: forecasting the future. By man's predictions he mirrors his own wish-fulfilments displacements projections denials evasions and withdrawals. These predications can take the form of countries of the imagination 'mirror worlds' like Rabelais' Ever-Ever lands or the Erewhon of Butler. Alternatively they may spring from panic reflecting fear rather than hope often manifesting themselves in our technological age as reports of 'flying saucers' or invasions from another planet. In either form they provide philosophers scientists doctors and sociologists with material for evaluating man's future needs offering both criticism of our present society plans for our future and release from tension and disequilibrium.</p><p>Professor Armytage shows in this book how such 'visions' can and do refresh minds for renewed grappling with the present by arming them with ideas for man's future needs. He indicates that out of an apparent welter of futuristic fantasies a constructive debate about tomorrow is emerging providing us with operational models of what tomorrow could be. This book will hold special interest for students of philosophy and of English literature.</p>