Seldon Plan

A mathematical blueprint designed to compress thirty thousand years of chaos into a single millennium.

The Seldon Plan is the definitive strategy formulated by mathematician Hari Seldon to mitigate the catastrophic collapse of the Galactic Empire. Utilizing psychohistory, an algorithmic science capable of predicting future probabilities for large populations, Seldon calculated that without intervention, humanity would endure thirty thousand years of barbarism following the Empire's fall. His solution involved establishing a new society on Terminus, a remote and resource-poor planet in the galaxy's periphery.

While publicly framed as the home for scientists compiling the Encyclopedia Galactica, Seldon knew this was merely a cover. The true objective was to create a Foundation that would replace the collapsing Empire through scientific, economic, and political influence over a drastically shortened millennium-long span rather than the standard thirty millennia, thereby minimizing human suffering.

Quick Facts

Creator: Hari Seldon
Primary goal: Shorten the millennia of chaos following the fall of the Galactic Empire
Core methodology: Psychohistory
Key locations: Terminus

Lore & Background

Hari Seldon developed psychohistory during his tenure as a professor of mathematics at Streeling University on Trantor. He demonstrated that Galactic society could be represented in a simulation simpler than itself, predicting the Empire's inevitable fall and the subsequent dark age. To execute his plan, he was exiled to Terminus under the pretense of creating a vast compilation of knowledge known as the Encyclopedia Galactica. In reality, Terminus held a much larger role that Seldon had to conceal from its inhabitants initially. The Foundation was placed on a remote, resource-poor planet populated entirely by scientists and their families. This setup was designed to ensure that when the Empire fell, the Foundation would rise as its successor within one thousand years instead of the thirty thousand years predicted by standard historical trajectory.

Reader's Guide

Psychohistory functions on the principle that while individual actions are unpredictable, the behavior of large populations can be forecast with high accuracy using algorithmic science. The Seldon Plan relies on 'Seldon Crises,' predetermined moments where the Foundation must make specific choices to stay on track. The plan aims to reduce the interregnum from a normal ten-to-thirty thousand years down to just one thousand years. However, it has limitations; it cannot account for random events like the assassination of Emperor Cleon I by his gardener or individuals with unique abilities that disrupt statistical norms. The Foundation on Terminus is strong in the physical sciences, while the Second Foundation is strong in the mental sciences, including the continued development of psychohistory.

Did You Know?

Hari Seldon appears as a hologram multiple times in the first book and also in the second book of the series.
Seldon was awarded a Ph.D. in mathematics at the University of Helicon for his work on turbulence before becoming a professor of mathematics at Streeling University.
Seldon's prerecorded messages reveal a 'Seldon Crisis' at critical moments to guide the Foundation through unpredictable social shifts.