Abstract
Future Studies set the broad conceptual framework within which planning can take place. They ask the question, "Where as a society, are we going?" In discussing such a complex question, a distinction made between "well-structured" problems which concentrate on perfection of means (the "how-to-do-it" questions) and "ill-structured" problems which address the question of ends ("What ought we to do?") some methods such as model-building, trend extrapolation, technology assessment, etc. are well suited to exploring essentially simple problems where the goal is already evident (putting a man on the moon). Other methods such as scenario-writing, morphological analysis, some kinds of Delphi studies, etc., aim to explore the possible options open to planners and the consequences of each. No clear-cut answer can be given to these more complex problems (such as poverty, crime, environmental protection, etc.); the solution chosen to deal with an ill-structured problem depends on how it is defined. Thus planning for the future must include, not only scientific and technological logical responses, but also a serious search for improving the activity of goal formulation both by planners and the public.