forudseende

Forudseende is a Danish and Norwegian term referring to the ability to anticipate and prepare for future events. The word combines forud, meaning in advance, with seende, meaning seeing, and is commonly translated into English as foresight or prescience. In everyday use, forudseende often carries a practical emphasis on preparation and action rather than mere prediction.

In cognitive and behavioral contexts, forudseende describes prospective thinking: the capacity to imagine possible futures and to plan responses accordingly. In organizational and public policy settings, it underpins activities such as scenario planning, horizon scanning, risk assessment, and long-term strategy development. The concept supports identifying emerging trends, potential disruptions, and opportunities, informing resource allocation and resilience-building measures.

Forudseende is distinct from straightforward prognostication. It implies not only imagining futures but also choosing and implementing courses of action to influence outcomes or mitigate risks. As such, it is a central idea in futures studies, strategic management, climate adaptation, urban planning, and governance, where anticipatory thinking helps organizations and societies navigate uncertainty.

Overall, forudseende remains a foundational concept in understanding how individuals and institutions prepare for what may come, balancing foresight with proactive decision-making to shape preferable futures.