Determinism vs. Fatalism
The theory of psychohistory incorporated by Hari Seldon plays upon the notion of determinism and fate to predict the future. The fate of the Galactic Empire is that it will eventually fall and undergo an interregnum composing of a 30,000-year dark age. The philosophical approach relies on the fatalistic ideas of future occurrences that are predictable, case in point, the decline of civilization. However, the use of a deterministic model in the mathematical formulas enables Seldon to contrive a strategy that undercuts these predictions. The forecasts are inevitable but the strategy involves alternatives and probabilities that can reduce the period to only one thousand years. The new faction of Encyclopedists proceed to form two Foundations in Terminus and at Star’s End to execute the plan for the future. It involves influencing the action of the masses without taking away individual choices in directing the course of history in the right path.
Societal Evolution
Drawing its influence from Edward Gibbons’ The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire the narrative is about the cyclical view of history. The novel comprises five tales that span an inordinate length of time in the Galactic Empire showcasing the paradigm shift in the realm. As well as the changes that occur in all spheres in society including and not limited to government, technology, and religion. The collected data would predict the external and internal watersheds that are bound to arise over the course of their future history. With the existence of the Foundation, social adaptation seems to be on the Empire’s itinerary towards rebuilding after the inevitable fall. Admittedly, the fall comes to pass with the rise of barbaric kingdoms that sidetrack from the Galactic Empire and oppose the Foundation. The goal is a Second Galactic Empire that should ascend shortly to deter the Dark Age dragging for too long. With this in mind, the Board of Trustees of the Encyclopedia Galactica Foundation works to ensure that social evolution takes place impeccably.
Power
Awaiting the inevitable fall, the Encyclopedia Galactica on behalf of the Empire creates a structure to guarantee the preservation of power in the right hands. Initially, Salvor Hardin is just but a figurehead with no political power in Terminus but this changes with the subsequent turn of events. Once he assumes power from the Board of Trustees the fight for power escalates the internal clashes, with the Actionists in the opposition. As Empire descends into chaos with the rise of the barbarous Four Kingdoms, the stable power structure in Terminus has to fill the power vacuum. Prudence and control triumphs in this climate entailing factions with barbaric motivations to assume power. While the Foundation gains more control through technology and science, the Four Kingdoms lag behind with outdated social constructs. The power struggle is at the center of the narrative with political shifts over time as the Foundation creates the Second Galactic Empire.
