The Generative Power Of Hope

This book analyses how and why we are living at a critical moment in the history of human life on earth and explores how we find grounds for the hopes that will enable us to address the challenges and crises of our time. The author analyses hope both practically and philosophically as a generative virtue to realistically discern the situations in which we find ourselves, and imaginatively to anticipate possibilities when the future is unknown and uncertain. The author argues that hope is a mean between anomy, disillusionment, and despair, on the one hand, and wishful thinking, dreaming, and fanaticizing, on the other hand. The book not only examines - and analyzes from a historical perspective - the contemporary crises such as climate change, environmental degradation and its effects such as the social costs of these developments, but also further analyzes the character and micro-dynamics of hope and how it makes a difference in how we manage the crises which inevitably emerge. Though contemporary crises are those we tend to focus on, the author also engages with what is involved in a due regard for history and the relevance of a sense of history for addressing the crises of our time. He shows us what we can learn from revisiting some thoughtful reflections by thinkers like Niebuhr, Jaspers, Camus, and Arendt. Finally, the author shows us what is involved practically in anticipating possibilities, by looking at hope as a social practice and noting how hopeful people make a difference.

This book analyses how and why we are living at a critical moment in the history of human life on earth and explores how we find grounds for the hopes that will enable us to address the challenges and crises of our time. The author analyses hope both practically and philosophically as a generative virtue to realistically discern the situations in which we find ourselves, and imaginatively to anticipate possibilities when the future is unknown and uncertain. The author argues that hope is a mean between anomy, disillusionment, and despair, on the one hand, and wishful thinking, dreaming, and fanaticizing, on the other hand. The book not only examines – and analyzes from a historical perspective - the contemporary crises such as climate change, environmental degradation and its effects such as the social costs of these developments, but also further analyzes the character and micro-dynamics of hope and how it makes a difference in how we manage the crises which inevitably emerge. Though contemporary crises are those we tend to focus on, the author also engages with what is involved in a due regard for history and the relevance of a sense of history for addressing the crises of our time. He shows us what we can learn from revisiting some thoughtful reflections by thinkers like Niebuhr, Jaspers, Camus, and Arendt. Finally, the author shows us what is involved practically in anticipating possibilities, by looking at hope as a social practice and noting how hopeful people make a difference.

The must-read inspirational book of the year designed to combat a global "hope shortage." Following in the footsteps of successful inspirational books like The Power of Positive Thinking and The Purpose Driven Life comes the definitive guide for understanding, developing, and strengthening our most important emotion: Hope. The timing couldn't be better. In this engaging self-help "tour de force" authors Anthony Scioli, Ph.D., and Henry Biller, Ph.D., two renowned clinical psychologists, offer thought-provoking insights, compelling case studies, and practical "hope" exercises rooted in spirituality, religion, psychology, and philosophy, as well as their own personal stories of resilience. The result: a deeper assimilation of hope in daily life. In The Power of Hope, readers will encounter: Strategies for overcoming nine kinds of hopelessness as well as for combating depression and suicide Advice on utilizing hope to manage the "day-to-day"—from work and relationships to serious illness, grief, or loss Ways in which hope can impact overall health, exercise, and diet Hope self-assessments, including a hope provider and spiritual intelligence scale Whether one is dealing with a serious health issue, a traumatic past, or just trying to thrive in a time of political and economic unrest, hope is the key to fostering success, love, and survival. The Power of Hope will inspire readers with renewed faith and possibility. "This book is a must read for anyone dealing with adversity and a resource that every healthcare professional should own."—Bernie Siegel, M.D., author of Love, Medicine & Miracles and Help Me to Heal

Public Relations, Society and the Generative Power of History examines how histories are used to explore how the past is constructed from the present, how the present is always historical, and how both past and present can power imagined futures. Divided into three distinct parts, the book uses historical inquiry as a springboard for engaging with interdisciplinary, critical and complex issues in the past and present. Part I examines the history of corporate PR, the centrality of the corporation in PR scholarship and the possibility of resisting corporate hegemony through PR efforts. The theme of Part II is ‘Historicising gender, ethnicity and diversity in PR work,’ focusing on how gendered and racialised identities have been constructed and resisted both within the profession and through the result of its work. Part III engages with ‘Histories of public relations in the political sphere,’ bringing together work on the different ways in which public relations has evolved in changing political contexts, both formally as a function within political institutions and in the context of contributions to broader narratives of nationalism and identity. Featuring contributions from leading academics, this book challenges traditional PR historiography and contests the ‘lessons’ derived from existing literature to address the implications of key areas of critically engaged PR theory. This volume is a valuable teaching resource for upper-level undergraduates and postgraduates studying public relations, strategic communications, political communication and organisational communication.

This text is a go-to resource for those wanting to broaden their knowledge and critical understanding of how international education can be transformed in the future based on theory and research. The core focus of the book is to enable the reader to critically reflect on the role of education in a future global society where justice, equality, and renewal are central features. Each chapter explores an alternative approach to education, including: Approaches grounded in indigenous cultures and ancient wisdom traditions, as well as those from radical perspectives on the role of society and culture Reconsidered interpretations of current approaches based on critical theories and alternative ways of knowing and understanding Exploration of the role of technology in providing access to education in a world where learning moves beyond fixed locations and boundaries Reflection on current learning environments populated by new global communities. Aimed primarily at undergraduate students in education, Pedagogies for the Future also gives voice to new and ancient narratives of hope and renewal which are vital for postgraduate study and initial teacher education and training, as well as education policymakers.

This book explores the ways in which communities are responding today's society as government policies are increasingly promoting privatisation, deregulation and individualisation of responsibilities, providing insights into the efficacy of these approaches through key policy issues including access to food, education and health.

Radical Hope in the Novels of Thomas Pynchon: The Moon and Meteor provides a careful consideration of the author's career, examining the ways in which the subversion of his early novels feeds into the radical optimism of his later works. The book's first half explores the author's use of the image of the Moon as a romanticized ideal that is irreparably corrupted by and corruptly manipulated by forces of worldly power. The second half takes up the meteor as an image of impending violence that has yet to be full realized, finding in the unlikely possibility of that violence being somehow averted, a reckless sort of hope. This foolhardy but nonetheless real hope to escape from violent, oppressive structures and forge a real ethical obligation to the other marks the development of these paired metaphors, and through them Pynchon introduces the possibility, however slight, that literature, with its powerfully intimate relationship with consciousness, may at least sustain that hope.

Every tradition has its surprising voices, its thinkers who look at things slightly differently than most. Evangelicalism is no exception. Many surprising evangelical voices end up being embarrassments of one sort or another: everyone can choose their favorite example of this phenomenon! Rather than seeking to expose these sorts of negative surprises, this book explores the surprising voice of the late evangelical theologian A. J. Conyers. Conyers's political theology is a resource for a robust evangelical theopolitical imagination. By learning from Conyers, evangelicals can overcome common weaknesses and engage in a more thoroughly Christian, biblical, and evangelical approach to the modern world and its various institutions and challenges. Conyers speaks beyond evangelicalism as well. His vision of the modern world, including its development and major challenges, provides insight into contemporary political theology. His work on the nation-state, free-market capitalism, and the notions of toleration and vocation speaks into and advances important debates. Thus Conyers's evangelical political theology provides both the evangelical tradition itself, as well as political theology as a broader discipline, with a compelling and challenging vision.