Reflecting‐on‐the‐future: a chronological consideration of reflective practice

Abstract

This paper involves an investigation into the chronological dimensions of reflection and in particular considers the perspective of reflecting‐on‐the‐future. It is argued that Schön's reflection‐on‐action and reflection‐in‐action do not fully consider the important temporal dimension of the future. An exploration of the published literature would appear to show that there is only limited consideration of the future. This paper presents a number of reasons why reflection‐on‐the‐future has received little attention and argues that it should be given more prominence. In particular it argues that the development of reflective practice in the professions will be constrained by a failure to explicitly consider the future. This article seeks to expand the concept of reflective practice and raise the profile of reflection‐before‐action or reflecting‐on‐the‐future.