fu·tur·ol·o·gy 
(fy′chə-rŏlə-jē)
(fy′chə-rŏlə-jē)n.
The study or forecasting of potential developments, as in science, technology, and society, using current conditions and trends as a point of departure.
fu′tur·o·logi·cal (fy′chər-ə-lŏjĭ-kəl) adj.
fu′tu·rolo·gist n.