Looking Back to Move Forward

This chapter lays the philosophical groundwork for a new account of hope. It begins with the deep American roots of pragmatist philosophy to show how that tradition aligns with key elements of democracy and American life today. To set a foil for a pragmatist account of political hope, it describes problematic ways in which hope is often understood in more individualist ways by theologians, philosophers, and positive psychologists. Then, using an accessible approach and avoiding jargon, the chapter lays out central elements of pragmatism that build together to form an account of hope. These include inquiry, growth, truth, meliorism, and habits.