the analysis of the concept, position and scientific validity of imagination in the futures studies, from the perspective of western philosophers and futurists.

The concept of imagination in futures studies knowledge affects many of our forward-thinking thoughts and decisions about future developments and can expand the scope of our vision and action towards the future. According to the importance and role of this concept, in this paper, were reviewed the concept, position and scientific validity of imagination in the futures studies, from the perspective of western philosophers and futurists. This research is a descriptive research. The data were collected in a documentary and library method and then, with an analytical-critical approach, the concept of imagination has been investigated. The results of the research showed that the images of the future from the perspective of discovery are divided into three categories, including "images based on the extrapolation of current and past trends (experimental)", "images based on logical analyzes (rational)" and "images based on imagination, intuition, values and inner spirituality" are divided. According to the surveys conducted by Western philosophers and futurists, the scientific validity of the first two categories was confirmed, but the third category, since they lack scientific validity, can only be valuable in the "position of production" and discovering creative propositions about the future.