Metafuture: Futures Studies by Sohail Inayatullah and Ivana Milojević
CLA Basics
Sohail Inayatullah developed Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) in the late 1980s. This approach integrates different research methods, including empiricist, interpretive, critical, and action learning. Since then, governments, industry, think tanks, professionals, and cities around the world have used CLA successfully.
CLA can be used to study both the outside world and our inner thoughts and beliefs. It looks at how we see ourselves, our identities, the ways we think, and the stories and symbols that shape who we are. CLA helps us examine the stories we tell ourselves and encourages us to create new ones that match the futures we want. By exploring ideas deeply and widely, CLA helps us imagine real alternatives and supports meaningful change. The process starts and ends by asking questions about the future and creating new possibilities.
CLA helps us understand issues by building deeper scenarios. We can examine underlying myths and new perspectives from different groups, such as nurses, health networks, future generations, and caregivers, and see how each defines problems and solutions.
Causal Layered Analysis has four levels: the litany, social or systemic causes, discourse or worldview, and myth or metaphor. The litany is the official, often unquestioned view of the future. The second level looks at social, technological, economic, environmental, professional and political causes from a broader perspective, where the litany’s data is explained and analyzed. The third level, discourse or worldview, uncovers deeper beliefs and assumptions, and examines how different groups shape the litany and system. The fourth level, myth or metaphor, focuses on the emotional and symbolic aspects of the issue.
CLA may be used when debating all types of issues, collectively or individually, across a wide range and richness of scenarios. In workshop settings, it promotes the inclusion of different ways of knowing and accompanying interests among participants. Furthermore, It appeals to a wider range of individuals because the method incorporates non-textual and poetic/artistic expression in the foresight process.
The four levels are core to CLA: the litany, the social/systemic causes, the discourse analysis that legitimizes and supports the worldview, and underpinning that worldview, the myth/metaphor deeply linked to culture and long-term history.
1
The Litany
The Litany is the surface level of reality, which we would call the day-to-day “noise”. The way we see news headlines, social media trends, and official but unverified statistics. It is often characterized by a sense of urgency, helplessness, blame or anger. It’s not just data; it’s the narrative that makes us feel we have no agency.
2
Social Structure (Systemic)
The second layer looks at the Social Causes, including economic, cultural, political, and historical factors. Often called the Systemic level. It maps the STEEP factors (Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political). This level analyzes how systems and structures (such as laws, institutional policies, political biases, and technological infrastructure) feed the Litany.
3
Discourse / Worldview
This layer examines the Worldviews and ideologies that support the system’s structures. It asks: What ideological beliefs and habits make this system seem natural or commonsense? Also refers to Discourse. It identifies the “mental framework” or way of knowing. It recognizes that different stakeholders hold different “truths” shaped by their cultural or professional lenses and explores dominant worldviews.
4
Myth / Metaphor
The deepest layer consists of the Myths and Metaphors that reside in our collective unconscious. These are the archetypal stories, gut-level feelings, and visual images that give a worlview its emotional power. This is the inner voice which places a high value on Deep Stories” or Civilizational and Cultural Narratives,” expressed as unchallenged truths.
Power of CLA as an internal interrogation
While standard CLA focuses on external social systems, Inner CLA applies the same four-layered interrogation to the individual’s internal narrative. You will learn how to map out your personal future by considering your past, present, and what could lie ahead. You’ll also discover how to use CLA to imagine different futures and find new opportunities for your life. Finally, you’ll learn how to recognize and change the stories that keep you from reaching the future you want. Want to learn more?↗
Want to learn more? Take the Basic Futures Course and explore CLA. ↗
“Become a Futurist taught by Dr. Sohail Inayatullah, is designed to help people move beyond just reacting to changes and instead learn how to actively shape the future. Here is a summary of what the course offers:
- The goal of the course is to teach “Futures Studies.” This isn’t about predicting the future with a crystal ball; it’s about learning tools to imagine different possibilities (scenarios) so you can make better decisions today. It helps leaders and individuals solve tomorrow’s problems before they happen.
- The coursework is a self-paced, online, video-based course designed for busy people. It typically takes 2–4 weeks to complete if you study for about an hour a day. It includes exercises and a “Futures workshop” guide to ensure you are practicing the skills, not just watching videos.
- Certification: If you choose the certification tier, you can earn an official certificate from Tamkang University by writing a short paper applying what you’ve learned.