Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Future, expectations of
(1,037 words)

As hypothetical ideas concerning future events,  expectations of the future help guide actions and are formulated in ways that depend on concepts of time.

1. Eschatology

The concept of time on which widespread future expectation was based until well into the 17th century related to God and was rooted in the Christian mindscape of the Middle Ages. Future events appeared prefigured by the past and guided by divine providence. Until well into the 16th century, the history of Christendom was dominate…

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Mader, Eric-Oliver, “Future, expectations of”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_030886>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20180208



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