The Double-Edged Sword: Why Hope Must Be Rooted in Reality
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Hope is not an emotion, but an emotional state, and it truly makes us human. The difference between humans and other animals is that we have the capabilities of perceiving what the future may be like before it happens. We have scope, a gauge (if you will) that says, if these events happen, this result will occur. Depending on the current circumstances we either feel hope, despair, or indifference about the future. But hope is the most unique in it's approach because it says that you believe things will get better, a certain desire will be fulfilled, or events will unfold in your favor.
Hope is truly a 'double-edged sword,' the Greeks thought of it as humanities greatest strength and weekeness. This is because hope "keeps people going" or makes us work hard for the future. It makes the impossible possible and truly brings out the best in us all. But, where hope becomes a weakness is when the desired end is completely unattainable. It has to actually be possible to achieve the desired end, or say "things will get better" because otherwise striving for the impossible is self-defeating. In which case, abandoning hope is a good thing.
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When I look at the state of the world I am very hopeful for a brighter future. However, that hope is contingent on the assumption we, as a species, actually become aware of our global environmental problems and our economic model. With all the issues I deal with on a consistent basis I still have hope for humanity and it's future, BUT on the condition we actually properly inform ourselves about the situation. ...which is why I do this.
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