Hope / Stan van Hooft.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hooft, Stan van, 1945-

Series:

Art of living series (Acumen Publishing)

The art of living series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hope.

Life.

Philosophy.

Physical Description:

viii, 152 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Durham [U.K.] : Acumen, [2011]

Summary:

From the iconic Barack Obama "Hope" poster of the 2008 presidential campaign to the pithead "Camp Hope" of the families of the trapped Chilean miners, the language of hope can be hugely powerful as it draws on resources that are uniquely human and universal. We are beings who hope. But what does that say about us? What is hope and what role does it play in our lives?

In this fascinating and thought-provoking investigation into the meaning of hope, Stan van Hooft shows that hope is a fundamental structure of the way we live our lives. For Aristotle being hopeful was part of a well-lived life, a virtue. For Aquinas it was a fundamentally theological virtue and for Kant a basic moral motivation. It shapes how we view ourselves and the world in which we live. Whether we hope for a life after death or for good weather tomorrow - whether our hopes are grand or humble - hoping is part of our outlook on life. What we hope for defines who we are.

Drawing on everyday examples as well as more detailed discussion of hope in the arenas of medicine, politics and religion, Stan van Hooft shows how hopefulness and hope differ and how they can include a problematic element of supplication. Distinguishing hope from bland optimism, wishful thinking and the certainty that something will turn out well, van Hooft shows that hope is a virtue when it sees the world as it is, without presumption, naivety, fantasy or despair. There are few contemporary philosophical discussions of hope and this book offers an accessible and insightful treatment that shows the relevance of philosophical thinking and distinctions to this important aspect of human life. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Defining hope 11

2 Being hopeful 48

3 Hope in the clinic 66

4 Hope and politics 81

5 Hope and religion 102.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 141-147) and index.

ISBN:

1844652602

9781844652600

OCLC:

741958947

Publisher Number:

99944158338