HOPE Part 2
In finishing the last blog on hope, I was left feeling my argument would be more persuasive by citing some scholars who have researched this concept. I’ll let you be the judge of whether what follows accomplishes that.
C. R. Snyder was a psychologist, known for his work on Hope Theory. He proposed that hope involves the cognitive processes of goal setting and planning, as well as the motivational components of agency and pathways. His influential work includes the development of the Hope Scale, a widely used instrument to measure hope. He proposed that hope involves the cognitive processes of goal setting and planning, as well as the motivational components of agency and pathways. His influential work includes the development of the Hope Scale, a widely used instrument to measure hope. Reference: Snyder, C. R. (2002). Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Inquiry, 13(4), 249-275.
Shane Lopez, in his work in the branch of psychology known as Positive Psychology, looked at hope as a psychological strength and indeed I think it underpins what we call resilience. Reference: Lopez, S. J. (2013). Making Hope Happen: Create the Future You Want for Yourself and Others. Atria Books. Emmanuel Levinas: A philosopher who explored existential themes, Levinas discussed the concept of hope in relation to the human encounter with the Other. He argued that hope arises from our ethical responsibility towards others. Reference: Levinas, E. (1969). Totality and Infinity: An Essay on Exteriority. Duquesne University Press. Ernst Bloch: A Marxist philosopher, Bloch wrote extensively on the philosophy of hope. He emphasized the utopian aspects of hope and the role it plays in human consciousness. Reference: Bloch, E. (1959). The Principle of Hope. MIT Press.
The differences between hope and wishful thinking are important. Snyder (cited above) makes distinctions between hope and wishful thinking. Hope, in his view, involves not just wishing for positive outcomes but actively working towards them with a sense of agency and identified pathways. We may also distinguish hope from prayer along similar lines, in prayer, agency is assumed to be the prerogative of the, or a, deity. Paul Tillich was both a theologian and a philosopher and he distinguished hope from mere wishing. He discussed how religious symbols and prayer can support what he termed genuine hope and commitment. I think he meant commitment to a cherished goal, connection with something greater than our human world. Reference: Tillich, P. (1952). The Courage to Be. Yale University Press.
Yes, there is a difference between hope and prayer, although they can be interconnected for many people, depending on their beliefs and perspectives.
Hope is generally a feeling or expectation of a positive outcome or a desire for a certain thing to happen. It is an optimistic attitude and a sense of anticipation that things will get better or work out in a favorable way. Hope is a human emotion and can be based on various factors, such as personal experiences, beliefs, and circumstances.
Prayer, on the other hand, is a specific religious or spiritual practice that involves communicating with a higher power or divine being. It is a form of supplication, praise, or request made to a deity or a force considered higher than oneself. Prayer can be a way of seeking guidance, expressing gratitude, asking for help, or simply connecting with a spiritual dimension.
While hope is a broader concept and can be independent of religious or spiritual beliefs, prayer often involves a more specific connection with a higher power. Some people use prayer as a means of expressing their hopes and desires to a deity or as a way of finding solace and strength in challenging times.
In summary, hope is a general positive outlook or expectation, while prayer is a specific spiritual or religious practice involving communication with a higher power. While they can overlap, they are distinct concepts.