Ethical Reflections

Ethical Reflections

The Intersection of Ethics and Futures Studies: Challenges and Solutions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Moslem Shirvani Naghani 1
Morid Goderpoor 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Futures Studies, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran
2 Master's Degree Student in Futures Studies, Command and Staff University, Tehran, Iran
10.30470/er.2026.2074266.1476
Abstract
Futures studies, as an interdisciplinary science in scenario design, require ethical frameworks to prevent unjust consequences and guide macro trends. The present study, with the aim of explaining the position of ethics in futures studies and analyzing the challenges associated with it, uses a descriptive-analytical approach and, relying on a conceptual analysis of theoretical literature and reliable documents, examines the confrontation of consequentialist, duty-based, and virtue-based ethical theories with alternative futures. The research findings show that the lack of an ethical approach in macro predictions can lead to strategic errors in national and global policymaking. The analyses also indicate that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate engineering, without relying on responsible futures studies, increase risks such as the intensification of social inequalities, violations of human rights, and environmental crises. In this regard, the concept of intergenerational justice was identified as a key pillar in sustainable decision-making. Finally, the research concludes that integrating the principles of justice, transparency, and accountability with futures research methods, as a moral imperative, is a prerequisite for achieving a sustainable and humane future.
Keywords
Futures Studies
Ethics
Incorrect Predictions
Emerging Technologies
Intergenerational Justice
Subjects

Article Title Persian

تقاطع اخلاق و آینده‌پژوهی: چالشها و راهکارها

Authors Persian

مسلم شیروانی ناغانی 1
مرید قادرپور 2
1 استادیار آینده‌پژوهی، دانشگاه بین‌المللی امام خمینی (ره)، قزوین، ایران
2 دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد آینده پژوهی، دانشکده مطالعات اجتماعی، دانشگاه فرماندهی و ستاد اجا، تهران، ایران
Abstract Persian

آینده‌پژوهی به عنوان دانشی میان‌رشته‌ای در طراحی سناریوها، نیازمند چارچوب‌های اخلاقی برای پیشگیری از پیامدهای ناعادلانه و جهت‌دهی به روندهای کلان است. پژوهش حاضر با هدف تبیین جایگاه اخلاق در آینده‌پژوهی و واکاوی چالش‌های مرتبط با آن، از رویکردی توصیفی-تحلیلی بهره جسته و با اتکا به تحلیل مفهومی ادبیات نظری و اسناد معتبر، به بررسی مواجهه نظریات اخلاقی پیامدگرایانه، وظیفه‌گرایانه و فضیلت‌گرایانه با آینده‌های بدیل پرداخته است. یافته‌های پژوهش نشان می‌دهد که فقدان رویکرد اخلاقی در پیش‌بینی‌های کلان، می‌تواند منجر به خطاهای راهبردی در سیاست‌گذاری‌های ملی و جهانی گردد. همچنین تحلیل‌ها بیانگر آن است که فناوری‌های نوظهوری نظیر هوش مصنوعی، زیست‌فناوری و مهندسی اقلیم، بدون اتکای به آینده‌پژوهی مسئولانه، مخاطراتی چون تشدید نابرابری‌های اجتماعی، نقض حقوق بشر و بحران‌های زیست‌محیطی را افزایش می‌دهند. در این راستا، مفهوم عدالت بین‌نسلی به عنوان رکن کلیدی در تصمیم‌گیری‌های پایدار شناسایی شد. در نهایت، پژوهش نتیجه می‌گیرد که تلفیق اصول عدالت، شفافیت و مسئولیت‌پذیری با روش‌های آینده‌پژوهی، به عنوان یک ضرورت اخلاقی، پیش‌شرطی برای دستیابی به آینده‌ای پایدار و انسانی است.

Keywords Persian

آینده‌پژوهی
اخلاق
پیش‌بینی‌های نادرست
فناوری‌های نوظهور
عدالت بین نسلی
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  • Receive Date 11 October 2025
  • Revise Date 23 July 2026
  • Accept Date 03 August 2026