ABSTRACT

The concluding Part 6 – Thinking with cultural psychology about the future – is composed of submissions sent as replies to the lead editor’s invitation to all authors to share their thoughts and feelings about the future of cultural psychology and future in general. Due to time pressure not all invited could response. Luca Tateo argues for a cultural psychology beyond disciplinary borders, oriented toward the whole of human experience as an open developmental system, with an unconventional, dialogical gaze. Csaba Pleh argues that social sciences will have to play a crucial role for the future, their own and that of humanity. Cultural psychology, especially in the form of narrative psychology is invited to take its part in this effort.

William Woodward is concerned with environmental issues and expects cultural psychology to begin to address the transition to a degraded world as well. On the other hand, environmental policy needs cultural psychological knowledge, which is missing presently.

Gordana Jovanović as the lead editor shared her concerns on the future by drawing attention to the unfortunate fact that violence is rapidly spreading everywhere, taking as its hostage entire countries or even regions. In this context it is worth recalling Freud’s exchange in 1931 with Albert Einstein to the question “why war?”. Freud’s conclusion was – “whatever fosters the growth of culture works at the same time against war.” If war has a future, little else, if anything will have a future.