Hope is anoptimisticstate of mind that is based on anexpectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's own life, or the world at large.[1] As a verb, Merriam-Webster defineshope as "to expect with confidence" or "to cherish adesire with anticipation".[2]
Hope finds expression through many dimensions of human life, including practicalreasoning, the religiousvirtue of hope, legal doctrine, and literature, alongside cultural and mythological aspects.
Hope, which lay at the bottom of the box, remained. Allegorical painting byGeorge Frederic Watts, 1886
American professor of psychologyBarbara Fredrickson argues that hope comes into its own whencrisis looms, opening us to new creative possibilities.[4] Frederickson argues that with great need comes an unusually wide range of ideas, as well as such positive emotions as happiness and joy, courage, and empowerment, drawn from four different areas of one's self: from a cognitive, psychological, social, or physical perspective.[5] Suchpositive thinking bears fruit when based on a realistic sense of optimism, not on a naive "false hope".[6][7]
The psychologistCharles R. Snyder linked hope to the existence of a goal, combined with a determined plan for reaching that goal.[8]Alfred Adler had similarly argued for the centrality of goal-seeking in human psychology,[9] as too had philosophical anthropologists likeErnst Bloch.[10] Snyder also stressed the link between hope and mental willpower (hardiness),[11] as well as the need for realistic perception of goals (problem orientation),[12] arguing that the difference between hope and optimism was that the former can look like wishful thinking but the latter provides the energy to find practical pathways for an improved future.[13]D. W. Winnicott saw a child's antisocial behavior as expressing as a cry for help, an unconscious hope, meaning an unspoken desire for a positive outcome for those who are in control in the wider society, when containment within the immediate family had failed.[14]Object relations theory similarly sees the analytictransference as motivated in part by an unconscious hope that past conflicts and traumas can be dealt with anew.[15]
As a specialist inpositive psychology, Snyder studied how hope and forgiveness can impact several aspects of life such as health, work, education, and personal meaning. He postulated that three main things make up hopeful thinking:[16]
Goals – Approaching life in a goal-oriented way.
Pathways – Finding different ways to achieve your goals.
Agency – Believing that you can instigate change and achieve these goals.
In other words, hope was defined as the perceived capability to derive pathways to desired goals and motivate oneself via agency thinking to use those pathways.
Snyder argues that individuals who are able to realize these three components and develop a belief in their ability are hopeful people who can establish clear goals, imagine multiple workable pathways toward those goals, and persevere, even when obstacles get in their way.
Snyder proposed a "Hope Scale" which considered that a person's determination to achieve their goal is their measured hope. Snyder differentiates between adult-measured hope and child-measured hope. The Adult Hope Scale by Snyder contains 12 questions: 4 measuring 'pathways thinking', 4 measuring 'agency thinking', and 4 that are simply fillers. Each subject responds to each question using an 8-point scale.[17] Fibel and Hale measure hope by combining Snyder's Hope Scale with their own Generalized Expectancy for Success Scale (GESS) to empirically measure hope.[18] Snyder regarded that psychotherapy can help focus attention on one's goals, drawing ontacit knowledge of how to reach them.[19] Similarly, there is anoutlook and agrasp of reality to hope, distinguishingNo Hope,Lost Hope,False Hope andReal Hope, which differ in terms of viewpoint and realism.[20]
Hopeful
Outlook
Wishful
Committed
Hopeful Outlook Distorted Reality False Hope
Hopeful Outlook Accurate Reality Real Hope
Skeptical
No Hope Hopeless Outlook Distorted Reality
Lost Hope Hopeless Outlook Accurate Reality
Hopeless
Helpless
Surrendered
Grasp of Reality
Uninformed Distorted Denied
Informed Accurate Assimilated
Contemporary philosopherRichard Rorty understands hope as more thangoal setting, rather as ametanarrative, a story that serves as a promise or reason for expecting a better future. Rorty aspostmodernist believes past meta-narratives, including the Christian story, utilitarianism, andMarxism have proved false hopes; that theory cannot offer social hope; and that liberal man must learn to live without a consensual theory of social hope.[21] Rorty says a new document of promise is needed for social hope to exist again.[22]
Of the countless models that examine the importance of hope in an individual's life, two major theories have gained a significant amount of recognition in the field ofpsychology. One of these theories, developed byCharles R. Snyder, argues that hope should be viewed as a cognitive skill that demonstrates an individual's ability to maintain drive in the pursuit of a particular goal.[23] This model reasons that an individual's ability to be hopeful depends on two types of thinking: agency thinking and pathway thinking. Agency thinking refers to an individual's determination to achieve their goals despite possible obstacles, while pathway thinking refers to the ways in which an individual believes they can achieve these personal goals.
Snyder's theory uses hope as a mechanism that is most often seen inpsychotherapy. In these instances, the therapist helps their client overcome barriers that have prevented them from achieving goals. The therapist would then help the client set realistic and relevant personal goals (i.e. "I am going to find something I am passionate about and that makes me feel good about myself"), and would help them remain hopeful of their ability to achieve these goals, and suggest the correct pathways to do so.
Whereas Snyder's theory focuses on hope as a mechanism to overcome an individual's lack of motivation to achieve goals, the other major theory developed by Kaye A. Herth deals more specifically with an individual's future goals as they relate to coping with illnesses.[24] Herth views hope as "a motivational and cognitive attribute that is theoretically necessary to initiate and sustain action toward goal attainment".[25] Establishing realistic and attainable goals in this situation is more difficult, as the individual most likely does not have direct control over the future of their health. Instead, Herth suggests that the goals should be concerned with how the individual is going to personally deal with the illness—"Instead of drinking to ease the pain of my illness, I am going to surround myself with friends and family".[25]
While the nature of the goals in Snyder's model differ with those in Herth's model, they both view hope as a way to maintain personal motivation, which ultimately will result in a greater sense of optimism.
Hope, and more specifically, particularized hope, has been shown to be an important part of the recovery process from illness; it has strong psychological benefits for patients, helping them to cope more effectively with their disease.[26] For example, hope motivates people to pursue healthy behaviors for recovery, such as eating fruits and vegetables, quitting smoking, and engaging in regularphysical activity. This not only helps to enhance people's recovery from illnesses but also helps prevent illness from developing in the first place.[27] Patients who maintain high levels of hope have an improved prognosis for life-threatening illness and an enhanced quality of life.[28] Belief and expectation, which are key elements of hope, block pain in patients suffering from chronic illness by releasing endorphins and mimicking the effects of morphine. Consequently, through this process, belief and expectation can set off a chain reaction in the body that can make recovery from chronic illness more likely. This chain reaction is especially evident with studies demonstrating theplacebo effect, a situation when hope is the only variable aiding in these patients’ recovery.[27]
Overall, studies have demonstrated that maintaining a sense of hope during a period of recovery from illness is beneficial. A sense of hopelessness during the recovery period has, in many instances, resulted in adverse health conditions for the patient (i.e. depression and anxiety following the recovery process).[29] Additionally, having a greater amount of hope before and during cognitive therapy has led to decreased PTSD-related depression symptoms in war veterans.[30] Hope has also been found to be associated with more positive perceptions of subjective health. However, reviews of research literature have noted that the connections between hope and symptom severity in other mental health disorders are less clear, such as in cases of individuals withschizophrenia.[31]
Hope is a powerful protector against chronic or life-threatening illnesses. A person’s hope (even when facing an illness that will likely end their life) can be helpful by finding joy or comfort. It can be created and focused on achieving life goals, such as meeting grandchildren or attending a child’s wedding. Hope can be an opportunity for us to process and go through events, that can be traumatic. A setback in life, an accident, or our own final months of living can be times when hope is comfort and serves as a pathway from one stage to the next.[32]
Hope is a powerful emotion that drives us to keep working and moving forward. It gives us the power to survive. In a study conducted by Harvard, Curt Richter experimented with 12 wild rats and 12 domesticated rats. The wild rats, known for their great swimming abilities, survived for only about two minutes when placed in a glass container of water with no way of escape. In contrast, the domesticated rats survived for days.[33] Curt attributed this difference to hope. The domesticated rats hoped to be saved from drowning, but the wild rats had no such hope, as they had never experienced rescue.
Curt decided to run another experiment with 12 wild rats. He placed them in water, and when they were about to drown, he took them out and held them briefly, creating an experience of hope. He then returned the rats to the water to observe how long they would tread water. Remarkably, they survived just as long as the domesticated rats—about 60 hours. With hope, the rats went from surviving for 2 minutes to treading water for 60 hours.
Hope is a powerful emotion. It drives us to move faster, further, and longer than we thought possible. But for hope to thrive, it must be anchored in something more powerful than ourselves. The rats had hope that a saving hand would come and lift them out of the water.[1]
The inclusion of hope in treatment programs has potential in both physical and mental health settings. Hope as a mechanism for improved treatment has been studied in the contexts of PTSD, chronic physical illness, and terminal illness, among other disorders and ailments.[30][31] Within mental health practice, clinicians have suggested using hope interventions as a supplement to more traditionalcognitive behavioral therapies.[31] In terms of support for physical illness, research suggests that hope can encourage the release ofendorphins andenkephalins, which help to block pain.[27]
There are two main arguments based onjudgment against those who are advocates of using hope to help treatsevere illnesses. The first of which is that if physicians have too much hope, they may aggressively treat the patient. The physician will hold on to a small shred of hope that the patient may get better. Thus, this causes them to try methods that are costly and may have many side effects. One physician noted[34] that she regretted having hope for her patient; it resulted in her patient suffering through three more years of pain that the patient would not have endured if the physician had realized recovery was unfeasible.
The second argument is the division between hope andwishing. Those that are hopeful are actively trying to investigate the best path of action while taking into consideration the obstacles. Research[27] has shown though that many of those who have "hope" are wishfully thinking and passively going through the motions, as if they are in denial about their actual circumstances. Being indenial and having too much hope may negatively impact both the patient and the physician.
The impact that hope can have on a patient's recovery process is strongly supported through both empirical research and theoretical approaches. However, reviews of literature also maintain that more longitudinal and methodologically sound research is needed to establish which hope interventions are actually the most effective, and in what setting (i.e.chronic illness vs.terminal illness).[31]
In the matter ofglobalization, hope is focused on economic and social empowerment.
Focusing on parts of Asia, hope has taken on asecular ormaterialistic form in relation to the pursuit of economic growth. Primary examples are the rise of the economies ofChina andIndia, correlating with the notion ofChindia. A secondary relevant example is the increased use ofcontemporary architecture in rising economies, such as the building of theShanghai World Financial Center,Burj Khalifa andTaipei 101, which has given rise to a prevailing hope within the countries of origin.[35] In chaotic environments hope is transcended without cultural boundaries, Syrian refugee children are supported by UNESCO's education project through creative education and psycho-social assistance.[36] Other inter-cultural support for instilling hope involve food culture, disengaging refugees from trauma through immersing them in their rich cultural past.[37]
Hope has been widely recognized as a crucial and inherent aspect of human existence, not only by philosophers from various backgrounds but also by national and international courts, particularly in the past decade. Serving as an existential element within each individual, hope manifests itself in various ways in both private and public spheres. While past court considerations often focused on hopes arising from legal disputes and everyday life, the current predominant topic of discussion centers around the hope of incarcerated individuals seeking release, as in Graham v. Florida.[38]
Riofrio's examination delves not only into specific expressions of the right to hope but also into the right to hope itself as a comprehensive concept.[39] In this exploration, he draws connections between numerous legal doctrines addressing everyday hopes, such as the doctrines of legitimate expectations and loss of a chance.
Drawing insights from extensive case law explicitly referencing the right to hope, international legal precedents, philosophical teachings from eminent scholars, and certain theological arguments, Riofrio concludes that the unenumerated right to hope encompasses four essential elements:[39]
The right to have wishes, aspirations, plans, and beliefs, while avoiding actions that illegitimately discourage individuals, such as demoralizing troops during wartime.
The right to some specific opportunities, sometimes aligning with programmatic Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ESCR), but also incorporating the doctrine of legitimate expectations.
The right to the means of realizing hope, prohibiting harm to the means that grounds hope, such as the limbs of a dancer or the vision of a painter.
The right to some established chances, wherein the doctrine of loss of a chance plays a significant role.
Engraving ofPandora trying to close the box that she had opened out ofcuriosity. At left, the evils of the world taunt her as they escape. The engraving is based on a painting byF. S. Church.
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.
A classic reference to hope which has entered modern language is the concept that "Hope springs eternal" taken fromAlexander Pope'sEssay on Man, the phrase reading "Hope springs eternal in the human breast, Man never is, but alwaysto be blest:"[41] Another popular reference, "Hope is the thing with feathers," is from a poem byEmily Dickinson.[42]
Hope can be used as an artistic plot device and is often a motivating force for change in dynamic characters. A commonly understood reference from western popular culture is the subtitle "A New Hope" from the original first installment (now considered Episode IV) in theStar Wars science fictionspace opera.[43] The subtitle refers to one of the lead characters,Luke Skywalker, who is expected in the future to allow good to triumph over evil within the plot of the films.
Theswallow has been a symbol of hope, inAesop's fables and numerous other historic literature.[44] It symbolizes hope, in part because it is among the first birds to appear at the end of winter and the start of spring.[45] Other symbols of hope include theanchor[46] and thedove.[47]
Nietzsche took a contrarian but coherent view of hope:-
... Zeus did not wish man, however much he might be tormented by the other evils, to fling away his life, but to go on letting himself be tormented again and again. Therefore he gives Man hope,—in reality it is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs the torments of Man.
Elpis (Hope) appears in ancientGreek mythology with the story ofZeus andPrometheus. Prometheus stole fire from the god Zeus, which infuriated the supreme god. In turn, Zeus created a box that contained all manners of evil, unbeknownst to the receiver of the box.Pandora opened the box after being warned not to, and unleashed a multitude of harmful spirits that inflicted plagues, diseases, and illnesses on mankind. Spirits of greed, envy, hatred, mistrust, sorrow, anger, revenge, lust, and despair scattered far and wide looking for humans to torment. Inside the box, however, there was also an unreleased healing spirit named Hope. From ancient times, people have recognized that a spirit of hope had the power to heal afflictions and helps them bear times of great suffering, illnesses, disasters, loss, and pain caused by the malevolent spirits and events.[49] InHesiod'sWorks and Days, thepersonification of hope is namedElpis.
Norse mythology however considered Hope (Vön) to be the slobber dripping from the mouth ofFenris Wolf:[50] their concept of courage rated most highly a cheerful bravery in theabsence of hope.[51]
Hope is a key concept in most major world religions, often signifying the "hoper" believes an individual or a collective group will reach a concept ofheaven. Depending on the religion, hope can be seen as a prerequisite for and/or byproduct of spiritual attainment.
TheJewish Encyclopedia notes "tiḳwah" (תקווה) and "seber" as terms for hope, adding that "miḳweh" and "kislah" denote the related concept of "trust" and that "toḥelet" signifies "expectation".[52]
Hope is one of thethree theological virtues of the Christian religion,[53] alongsidefaith andlove.[54] "Hope" in theHolyBible means "a strong and confident expectation" of future reward (see Titus 1:2). In modern terms, hope is akin to trust and a confident expectation".[55]Paul the Apostle argued that Christ was a source of hope for Christians: "For in this hope we have been saved"[55] (see Romans 8:24).
According to theHolman Bible Dictionary, hope is a "[t]rustful expectation...the anticipation of a favorable outcome under God's guidance."[56] InThe Pilgrim's Progress, it isHopeful who comforts Christian in Doubting Castle; while conversely at the entrance toDante's Hell were the words, "Lay down all hope, you that go in by me".[57]
In historic literature of Hinduism, hope is referred to withPratidhi (Sanskrit: प्रतिधी),[58] orApêksh (Sanskrit: अपेक्ष).[59][60] It is discussed with the concepts of desire and wish. InVedic philosophy,karma was linked to ritual sacrifices (yajna), hope and success linked to correct performance of these rituals.[61][62] InVishnu Smriti, the image of hope, morals and work is represented as the virtuous man who rides in a chariot directed by his hopeful mind to his desired wishes, drawn by his five senses, who keeps the chariot on the path of the virtuous, and thus is not distracted by the wrongs such as wrath, greed, and other vices.[63]
In the centuries that followed, the concept ofkarma changed from sacramental rituals to actual human action that builds and serves society and human existence[61][62]–a philosophy epitomized in theBhagavad Gita. Hope, in the structure of beliefs and motivations, is a long-termkarmic concept. In Hindu belief, actions have consequences, and while one's effort and work may or may not bear near term fruits, it will serve the good, that the journey of one's diligent efforts (karma) and how one pursues the journey,[64] sooner or later leads to bliss andmoksha.[61][65][66]
Buddhism's teachings are centered around the concept of hope. It puts those who are suffering on a path to a more harmonious world and better well-being. Hope acts as a light to those who are lost or suffering. Factors of Saddha (faith), wisdom, and aspiration work together to form practical hope. Practical hope is the foundation of putting those suffering on a path toward inner freedom and holistic well-being. It instills the belief in positive outcomes even in the midst of suffering and adversity.[67]
^Snyder, C. R., Rand, K. L., & Sigmon, D. R. (2002). Hope Theory: A Member of the Positive Psychology Family. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology (pp. 257–276). New York: Oxford University Press.
^Moïsi, Dominique. "The Culture of Hope." The Geopolitics of Emotion: How Cultures of Fear, Humiliation, and Hope Are Reshaping the World. New York: Doubleday, 2009. 30–55. Print.
^David Krieger (1989), Salvation in the World – A Hindu-Christian Dialogue on Hope and Liberation, in Jerald Gort (Editor, Dialogue and Syncretism: An Interdisciplinary Approach),ISBN0-8028-0501-9, see Chapter 14
