Zeitgeist As a Heuristic Device for the Critical Analysis of Futures in the Anthropocene

This contribution explores the use of the concept of Zeitgeist as a heuristic device in futures research, with particular attention to its application in the analysis of sociocultural and technological dynamics in the Anthropocene. Starting from a critical reflection on contemporary epistemologies, the article investigates how the Zeitgeist, understood as an architecture of cultural and technoscientific codes, can provide an interpretative key to understanding ongoing transformations and collective expectations for the future.

The work questions how intelligent algorithms, as an expression of the contemporary Zeitgeist, not only reflect but also actively shape visions of the future, contributing to the definition of plausible, preferable, or preventable scenarios. This perspective intersects with the theoretical critique of technoscientific narratives, highlighting the ethical and political implications of how risks and opportunities are calculated, visualized, and often obscured.

Through a dialogue with the thoughts of authors such as de Certeau, Koselleck, and Toulmin, the intersection between critical epistemologies and practices of anticipation is explored, highlighting how dominant narratives influence the production and legitimization of futures. The contribution advocates for a democratization of futures research, arguing that the inclusion of marginalized perspectives and critical reflection on epistemic codes can lead to a more equitable and nuanced understanding of possible futures in the Anthropocene.

In conclusion, the Zeitgeist is presented not as a monolithic entity, but as a dynamic set of codes that, through the interaction between history, technology, and culture, provides a framework for the critical analysis of social transformations and future projections, offering new tools for sociological research in an era of global turbulence.