The Meaning of HOPE?

[cacian]

In other words do you agree with either these two statements?

a) Hope exists if one belives it does.

Or

b) Hope does not exist if one does not believe in it.

[cafolini]

I have considered this subject very carefully at some points in my life. Even those who have said to me that they do not hope, did it in the hope that I would understand them. No man or women can be so indiferent as to never hope for understanding. Yet there are those who would hope so little, apparently. Just apparently. It is much deeper than a belief.

[loe]

Hope itself is an empty word. So I would think that there must be someone who has hope.
For me "believe" is the wrong word in this case - you just can have hope or not.

Probably it is necessary to give a definition of hope in the first place.
For me hope is a kind of motivation for reaching something/some goals.
And you can be motivated for what reasons ever or you cannot - it doesn't make sense "to believe" in motivation.

These words are strongly connected to the necessity of acting so that with just believing (in hope, motivation...) nothing is gained...

Just my opinion...
(Sorry for confused English)

[cafolini]

Hope itself is an empty word. So I would think that there must be someone who has hope.
For me "believe" is the wrong word in this case - you just can have hope or not.

Probably it is necessary to give a definition of hope in the first place.
For me hope is a kind of motivation for reaching something/some goals.
And you can be motivated for what reasons ever or you cannot - it doesn't make sense "to believe" in motivation.

These words are strongly connected to the necessity of acting so that with just believing (in hope, motivation...) nothing is gained...

Just my opinion...
(Sorry for confused English)

Very good points. I agree wholeheartedly. Hope is intrinsic to motivation. There is no possibility of believing in motivation. Lack of motivation, even in the case of a criminal is impossible. Lack of hope is impossible. It could never occur as a belief except as an attempt to enforce what's already happening.

[Wabboy]

Hope is a sort of self motivation, instinctively triggered by believe that rests on the ample possibility a thing has in becoming realistic.
Hope cannot be believed in for it to exist. But one can have an assurance of it's existence based on the measures of possibility at hand.
Believing hope exist for it to, is like slapping the air.
Some clearance need be made about there two words: existence, and believe. "Believing in" having faith in the truth or existence of. Existence: not believing in something called hope, in this: you might have hope yet don't believe it.
Another case: craving for hope ( which doesn't really make a sense) and deliberately believing you've got it to make it exist doesn't actually bring it to existence.
I typed this with my phone, so mind not my organisation, and I hope I've not strayed from the actual context.

[cacian]

there is a saying that says 'help yourself first then god should help you too' in the same breath as hope is not something that just passes us by in the wish that it would knock on our doors when it is ready to do so.
It is a 50/50 deal.
Hope for better and you get better.
Hope for nothing and surely nothing should come your way either.

[loe]

Hmm, for me this goes in the direction of self-fulfilling prophecies and stuff like that.

An optimistic point of view (= hope) may encourage one's self-confidence so that it seems to be easier to reach some goals.
When I am motivated I am more engaged in reaching things, but I don't think that everything can be influenced just by enough hope.

In my opinion it would make more sense to adapt the original question to the possibility of believing "in the power" of hope. This may only be a formal playing with words, but I think it would be more appropriate than talking about "believing in hope".

And if there is such a power it comes from the human being itself and it's not some kind of external might.
"Self-motivation" has been mentioned in a previous post and with that I agree.

Just my opinion again...
(and I am afraid that my English is still a bit confused, sorry)

[cacian]

Hmm, for me this goes in the direction of self-fulfilling prophecies and stuff like that.

An optimistic point of view (= hope) may encourage one's self-confidence so that it seems to be easier to reach some goals.
When I am motivated I am more engaged in reaching things, but I don't think that everything can be influenced just by enough hope.

In my opinion it would make more sense to adapt the original question to the possibility of believing "in the power" of hope. This may only be a formal playing with words, but I think it would be more appropriate than talking about "believing in hope".

And if there is such a power it comes from the human being itself and it's not some kind of external might.
"Self-motivation" has been mentioned in a previous post and with that I agree.

Just my opinion again...
(and I am afraid that my English is still a bit confused, sorry)

Your English is perfect, you should check mine out..hehe
Power is a big word and to award to hope is like saying you believe in magic well to me anyway.
the only power I believe in is the power of the mind as you mentioned.
the rest is all speculations and theories to talk about.
believing is an act of the mind, a positive power/vibe if you like.
so to believe you can ride a motorbike( for a woman it was difficult) after failing so many times was an eye opener for me.
so whilst I was learning I nearly gave up this bike thing, then I got so annoyed with myself, I decided I was not having it, meaning I was going to ride that damn bike heavy or not, and I did. That was my moment and I did conquer it.

[loe]

Thanks!
Yes, I used "power" in lack of finding a better word (maybe strength, influence etc. would do better), but you know what I wanted to say with it, so I think it's not too bad (... or at least I hope so). :)

And congratulations for handling a motorbike! :thumbsup:
(I always wanted to learn this myself, but I even haven't a license - and after that fiasco I had to go through for getting a car driving license I probably won't enter a driving school ever again...)

[cacian]

Thanks!
Yes, I used "power" in lack of finding a better word (maybe strength, influence etc. would do better), but you know what I wanted to say with it, so I think it's not too bad (... or at least I hope so). :)

And congratulations for handling a motorbike! :thumbsup:
(I always wanted to learn this myself, but I even haven't a license - and after that fiasco I had to go through for getting a car driving license I probably won't enter a driving school ever again...)

Haha..thank you..:)
why was it a fiasco for learning to drive?

[loe]

why was it a fiasco for learning to drive?
I got the impression that driving teachers (at least the ones I had) are a rather strange/weird kind of people, but above all I had really bad luck with the examiner (an embittered, mentally instable man). He just asserted that I had made a mistake which I didn't (but those examiners are always right :rolleyes5: ). So I had to do (and pay for) a second attempt.

For not getting completely off-topic, I may add: hope dies last.
(I succeed in the second attempt, but/although I never liked driving a car until today).