Do we become what we hope for? It can seem like the world is doomed. But one writer believes the answer to our times can be found in the writings of a 1600-year-old thinker.
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How to keep hope alive during bad times
Do we become what we hope for? It can seem like the world is doomed. But one writer believes the answer to our times can be found in the writings of a 1600-year-old thinker.
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What's happening?
The human race faces many problems, like climate breakdown and the threat of nuclear war. But some say we still need to be hopeful.
The news today often seems to be bad. This can make us anxious and depressed.
But historian Michael Lamb thinks we need to fight this and try to stay hopeful.
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He points to the work of ancient thinker Augustine of Hippo. Augustine said despairThe complete loss of hope. is just an excuse not to make things any better.
He wrote that we have a duty to be hopeful, because when we are hopeful we will work to improve the world.
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Do we become what we hope for?
Yes! Hope is a good thing for our brains and for our society. It helps us to change the things around us.
No! Being hopeful is irrationalNot thought through or nonsensical. in a world filled with so much pain and suffering.
Keywords
Despair - The complete loss of hope.
Irrational - Not thought through or nonsensical.
How to keep hope alive during bad times
Spreading the Word: Augustine is said to have preached up to 10,000 sermons in his lifetime. Glossary
Despair - The complete loss of hope.
Irrational - Not thought through or nonsensical.