Hope for Cynics

Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Nonfiction Books of 2024

Cynicism is making us sick; Stanford Psychologist Dr. Jamil Zaki has the cure—a “ray of light for dark days” (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 don’t have to remain stuck in this cynicism trap. Through science and storytelling, Jamil Zaki imparts the secret for beating back cynicism: hopeful skepticism—thinking 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.

• “I can’t imagine a more timely topic. Hope is a skill, and one of my favorite psychologists has written its playbook. A Case For Hope is grounded in fascinating research yet deeply personal, with an outstanding practical appendix of ‘try this’ tips for escaping the snare of cynicism.”
   
  Angela Duckworth, author of the New York Times bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
• "Magnificently written and powerfully moving, The Case for Hope is *the* societal medicine we all need right now. Filled with the latest science, practical tips, and moving stories, Zaki provides an inspiring example of how each and every one of us can turn towards more optimism, connection, and joy."
  Laurie Santos, Chandrika and Ranjan Tandon Professor of Psychology and host of The Happiness Lab podcast