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Hope is an evil.
1Division of Child Neurology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. weisleder.1@osu.edu
Journal of Child Neurology
|October 11, 2012
Summary
Hope is often seen as a virtue, but ancient texts suggest it is an evil. This analysis argues that wishing is superior to hoping, challenging conventional views.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy
- Classical Studies
- Ethics
Background:
- Societal views commonly perceive hope as a positive virtue.
- Historical philosophical and literary texts offer a contrasting perspective on hope.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the conventional societal view of hope as a virtue.
- To present arguments supporting the thesis that hope is detrimental.
- To advocate for wishing as a superior alternative to hoping.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of classical texts, specifically the writings of Hesiod and Seneca.
- Examination of philosophical insights from Hecato of Rhodes.
- Argumentative essay presenting a case against hope.
Main Results:
- Hope is associated with other evils in classical mythology (Hesiod).
- Stoic philosophy suggests a link between ceasing to hope and ceasing to fear (Seneca, Hecato).
- The article posits that hope is an evil.
Conclusions:
- Conventional societal views on hope require re-evaluation.
- Hope can be considered a negative or harmful state.
- Wishing is presented as a more beneficial cognitive or emotional state than hoping.
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