Richard Slaughter states that the knowledge base of futures studies is no more challenging, no less soundly based, than many other fields. « The futures field may or may not be a discipline in the narrow sense. What is incontrovertible is that it produces working knowledge and supports disciplined enquiry ». A viable model emerges from the layering of six core elements :
1) language, concepts, and metaphors (alternatives, options, sustainability) ;
2) theories, ideas, and images (evolution, progress, chaos, wise culture) ;
3) literature (a core of « about 200 key books » is mentioned but not expla
