Book
Hope for cynics : the surprising science of human goodness / Jamil Zaki.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781538743065 (hardcover)
- Physical Description: 271 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York : Grand Central, 2024.
Content descriptions
| Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Cynicism > Social aspects. Hope. Social justice > Psychological aspects. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Tsuga Consortium.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookstown Branch | 149 Zak | 31681010387397 | NONFIC | Available | - |
- Baker & Taylor
A professor of psychology at Stanford University argues that widespread cynicism, fueled by societal distrust undermines human potential and advocates for âhopeful skepticism,â a balanced approach that acknowledges flaws while recognizing innate kindness and fostering positive change. 75,000 first printing. Illustrations. - Baker & Taylor
"Runaway cynicism is turning our world into a meaner, sicker place; director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, Dr. Jamil Zaki, is about to disrupt this narrative. For thousands of years, people have argued about whether humanity is selfish or generous, cruel or kind. In 1972, half of Americans agreed that most people can be trusted; by 2018, that figure had fallen to 30%. Different generations, genders, religions, and political parties can't seem to agree on anything, except, perhaps, on one idea:that human virtue is evaporating. Cynicism is a perfectly understandable response to a world full of injustice, harm, and inequality. But in many cases, cynicism has become the first--or only--tool that people reach for these days. It is the psychological hammer of our age, and we are treating others more and more like nails. Knee-jerk cynicism worsens social problems because our beliefs don't just reflect the world--they change it. When we expect people to be awful, we coax awfulness out of them. Cynicism is a disease, with a history, symptoms, and a cure"-- - Grand Central Pub
Cynicism is making us sick, but Stanford Psychologist Dr. Jamil Zaki has the cureâa âray of light for dark daysâ (Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author).
In 1972, half of Americans agreed that most people can be trusted; by 2018, only a third did. Different generations, genders, religions, and political parties all think human virtue is evaporating. Cynicism is an understandable response to a world full of injustice and inequality. But in many cases, it is misplaced. Dozens of studies find that people fail to realize how kind, generous, and open-minded others really are. Cynical thinking deepens social problems: when we expect the worst in people, we often bring it out of them.
We donât have to remain stuck in this cynicism trap. Through science and storytelling, Jamil Zaki imparts the secret for beating back cynicism: hopeful skepticismâthinking critically about people and our problems, while honoring and encouraging our strengths. Far from being naïve, hopeful skepticism is a precise way of understanding others that can rebalance our view of human nature and help us build the world we truly want.
Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Nonfiction Books of 2024Â - HARPERCOLL
Cynicism is making us sick; Stanford Psychologist Dr. Jamil Zaki has the cureâa âray of light for dark daysâ (Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author).
For thousands of years, people have argued about whether humanity is selfish or generous, cruel or kind. But recently, our answers have changed. In 1972, half of Americans agreed that most people can be trusted; by 2018, that figure had fallen to 30%. Different generations, genders, religions, and political parties canât seem to agree on anything, except that they all think human virtue is evaporating.Â
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Cynicism is a perfectly understandable response to a world full of injustice and inequality. But in many cases, cynicism is misplaced. Dozens of studies find that people fail to realize how kind, generous, and open-minded others really are. And cynical thinking worsens social problems, because our beliefs donât just interpret the worldâthey change it. When we expect people to be awful, we coax awfulness out of them.ÂCynicism is a disease, with a history, symptoms--and a cure. Through science and storytelling, Jamil Zaki imparts the secret for beating back cynicism: hopeful skepticism. This approach doesnât mean putting our faith in every politician or influencer. It means thinking critically about people and our problems, while simultaneously acknowledging and encouraging our strengths. Far from being naïve, hopeful skepticism is a more precise way of understanding others, and paying closer attention re-balances how you think about human nature. As more of us do this, we can take steps towards building the world we truly want.Â
