Human life unfolds in time. It occurs in the remembering of the past, in present actions and experiences, and in anticipation of what is to come. The way these dimensions of time intertwine varies depending on life situations and perceptions of time. The focus on the future, which is the theme of this volume, encompasses different temporal and lifeworld influences. A key distinction is between a future that is rooted in human initiative and one that presents itself to humanity; between a future that we design and actively shape, and a future that we receive; between subjective anticipation and the event of the new. These structural differences overlap with various existential attitudes and affective evaluations. We can perceive what is to come as fulfillment or as a threat.