Imaginary Future, Model, Mode for FUTURLOGICS a system of prospective thinking
FUTURLOGICS a system of prospective thinking:
by james n. hall
COPYRIGHT © 1983 BY
JAMES NORMAN HALL
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Printed in the United States of America
SELF TEACHING PUBLICATIONS
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Chapter VI
IMAGINARY FUTURE
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IMAGINATION
Memory ties us to the past; our senses observe the present, but
what mental process enables us to consider the future? Imagination is
essential to prospective thought, suggesting that the analogy to the
memory and sense observation may be the imagination. However, the
power of imagination is essential not only to prospective thought, but
to thought in general. We see this need immediately because we can
imagine both the true and the false, the material and the immaterial.
Imagination does more than enable the mind to view the future.
No system of thinking can exist without the power of the imagination.
All ideas of the future are, in fact, displayed to our consciousness
through the means of imagination. Through it, we can construct
symbols, the models and maps of the future. We rehearse mentally the
outcome of the things we intend to do before they are actually done.
Before performing each act, we first "do" it in our minds. Considering
a dangerous circumstance, we suppose, and draw plans and preparations
before our first move. If we wish to cross a rushing river, we first
survey the river and then imagine possible ways of getting to
the other side. We selectively eliminate the impractical from the
potentially successful. We picture swimming, floating, ropes, rafts, or
we glance to see if there is a narrow place up the river. An extremely
long jump is immediately dismissed, but a log bridge is a possibility.
Such a scenario of thought can take place in seconds. We course
through the many possibilities in a chain of thought empowered by
imagination. Through experience and judgment we settle upon a
specific means to cross the river and we venture then to act.
The first large rivers must have been a major exercise in creativity
for ancient man. Today, getting across a busy city street may call upon
the same spin of imagination. Although we do not have the natural
obstacles of yesteryears, there are synthetic obstacles inherent to
modern civilization. Air travel, bridges, and ferries have solved the
old river problem, but we have problems of tax, war, food production,
overpopulation, the energy crunch and a host of other modern
obstacles. The need for prospective imagination is obviously greater
today than it has been previously.
IMAGINE-THINK CYCLE
The cycles infer that we do not use all of the mind at once. There
is a tendency to think about related things. Also, our perceptions and
faculties are somewhat guided by our thoughts. Also, our perceptions and
effect is no less true with the cycle of thought to imagination. We
think about what we imagine and then we imagine things related to
our thoughts. Our thoughts are then concentrated into what we have
imagined, and the cycle effect is generated.
Brainstorming and free thinking exemplify the extreme examples
of this form of thought. There is nothing wrong with brainstorming; it
liberates our creative ability through a free association of ideas which
is necessary to any futuristic thinking. If we forget the difference
between the real and the imagined, we get the modal effect.
The mode of approach to the future where the imagination runs
free is the imaginary mode. At one time it might have been called the
"fantasy future" because this term connotes certain properties of the
imaginary mode or future. But to stress the positive creative attributes,
"imaginary" was selected. The future seen with this mode is as
varied as the operations of the mind itself. But it does take on the
underlying patterns that characterize the flights of fancy the imagination
can take. To understand the imaginary future, we must understand the
imagination.
Such flights, if they are products of a particular mode, can be
called a scenario; but in mode-free, cycle-free, logic-free thinking,
they are called DMP. DMP has its own rules and the usual meaning of
logic does not portray intuitive experience.
LOGIC AND IMAGINATION
The material origins of the natural future require a logic
consistent with the properties of matter itself. This compensates for
the modal distortion due to the control of a free run of the imagination.
Most of the rules of science were invented to make certain the
discoveries explained things within the known material laws. It ensures
these mechanics of logic separate fantasy and material reality.
Each mode has its own logic peculiar to the cycle that generates it.
Also, if we were to invent a new mode, we would do it by organizing a
set of rules for thinking, or logic to define the limits of imagination in
the thinking process. Since each mode has its own logic then each
mode has its own scenario. In other words, the form of fantasized
thoughts of the future is framed by the attitude of the mode.
THE KNOWN AND THE UNKNOWN
The future may be said to consist of the known and the unknown.
The future, generally, is divided between the two, and it is in the
unknown regions that the imagination flourishes. The less we know,
the more we imagine. Our imagination is always active, mainly because
of the deficiencies in fact. The less we know of futurity, the
more we imagine a future to fill the blank spots. When we arrive at a
point of knowledge, we have to leave behind our imaginary notions.
The more we know of the future, the more we can know. But in the
case of the imaginary mode, the less we know the more expansive the
imaginary future becomes. The imaginary mode use what is imagined
to temporarily satisfy this need. But an imagined future is better than
no future at all! Imagination is a wonderful tool, and being able to sift
the real from the unreal is the key that ensures success.
SEPARATING THE REAL FROM THE UNREAL
Learning to discern between the imaginary and the real is a
lifelong struggle. We learn through hard lessons that fantasy is not a
good basis for rash action. We demand certainty and solidity before
we act. Developing the ability to tell the difference between the
imagined and the real makes success and progress in this changing
world possible. If there is difficulty separating the two, the imaginary
mode generates. If we fail to clarify these twilight areas to avoid error,
modal distortion is produced.
After all the modes are learned, it is by the power of our own
imagination that we can synthesize them into one operation. With the
imagination, we can go from one mode to another and avoid becoming
dependent upon one narrow approach to the future. The mental
grasp of the future DMP is made possible when we have the imagination
in control and we can trace to its origin any idea. If we can tell
where all ideas come from we can then arrive at DMP and the control
of imagination.
FREE WILL, VOLITION, AGENCY
Free will made possible through the powers of imagination.
Without the ability to display to consciousness an alternative to the
stimulus of the environment (emotions, drives, etc.), we would simply
follow these impulses reflexively. Yet, by imagination we could fantasize
being able to fulfill all our desires, wishes, goals, just by saying
IF! All consciousness is made possible with imagination, and without
being aware of options, alternatives, possibilities, we can have no free
will or volition.
All cycles, logics, modes, and futures restrict, guide, or channel
the imagination. Perfect free will is possible only when all the modes
of approach are used to research the future. This is Futurlogics. Thus
when we refer to imagination in this theory, we define it as logic-free,
cycle-free, mode-free thinking.
Who can handle perfect freedom? Would we abuse it to our own
destruction? Will we always need caretakers to limit us in our freedom
for our own good? Many other questions arise when the imaginative
powers are researched and implications discovered.
These ideas bring with them new freedom of the mind. If we are
not used to thinking freely, we will feel a severe reaction. Generated
responsibilities reach "critical mass" and a personal change will
threaten old ideas and traditions. Many balk at the prospect of really
thinking for oneself, yet those who love to explore frontiers will forge
ahead excited by every new idea.
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