The Discovery of the Future

"The Discovery of the Future" by H. G. Wells is a discourse that examines contrasting mindsets regarding time, focusing primarily on the distinction between retrospective and prospective thinking. Written in the early 20th century, this philosophical work explores how people's attitudes towards the past and future influence their decisions and moral judgments. The book delves into the implications of these differing perspectives on individual conduct and societal progress. In this thought-provoking narrative, Wells posits that the majority of people adopt a passive, legalistic attitude towards time, focused predominantly on past precedents, while a smaller group embodies a creative, legislative outlook that prioritizes future possibilities. He emphasizes that this dichotomy significantly impacts morality, politics, and the evolution of society. Wells argues for a future-oriented approach as an essential means of fostering meaningful advancements, suggesting that humanity's progress depends on our ability to foresee and adapt to upcoming challenges and opportunities. By critiquing the constraints of established norms from the past, Wells encourages readers to embrace the potential of the future, advocating for a deliberate exploration of what lies ahead. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Herbert George Wells was an English writer, prolific in many genres. He wrote more than fifty novels and dozens of short stories. His non-fiction output included works of social commentary, politics, history, popular science, satire, biography, and autobiography. Wells' science fiction novels are so well regarded that he has been called the "father of science fiction".