Comments on “Hope”
Comments are for the page: Hope
Hope and stages of adult development
2015-12-26
Relating hope to Kegan’s orders of mind, perhaps at the 3rd order (called Communal in Meaningness), hope (holding and expressing strong feelings about the future) is an important way of planning the future. There’s the expectation that others see your feelings expressed, and so will be persuaded to act in your support.
Wearing my Buddhist hat
2017-07-09
Wearing my Buddhist hat (which I usually reserve for other web sites) I’d say that hope is never actually useful.
I think this reveals the fundamental pessimism of Buddhism.
Cases when hope isn't harmful
You mentioned: “Hope is harmful in devaluing the present and shifting attention to imaginary futures that may never exist.” and I’m not sure I agree completely. I’m thinking of the value of hope in financial planning–where I may choose to drive a cheap car now (yes, it’s a devaluation of the present) in the hope I will be able to purchase a home later. Or I live on 50% of my income now in the hope I can retire at age 30 (see the Mr. Money Mustache blog) and be free to live outside of the rat-race. I’ve seen people that lack hope make foolish financial decisions (splurge on things today that prevent them from achieving better things in the future).
Can you comment more on that? (By the way, I’m thoroughly enjoying your book–thanks for creating it!)