Hope for Cynics

The Surprising Science of Human Goodness

By: Jamil Zaki

Narrated by: Jamil Zaki

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

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).

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, only a third did. Different generations, genders, religions, and political parties can’t seem to agree on anything, except that they all think human virtue is evaporating.

Cynicism is a perfectly 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 worsens social problems, because our beliefs don’t just interpret the world—they change it. When we expect the worst in people, we often bring it out of them.

Cynicism 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 doesn’t 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Jamil Zaki (P)2024 Grand Central Publishing

Critic reviews

“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

“If you think hope is naïve and cynicism is wise, get ready to think again. Jamil Zaki is at the forefront of the science of beliefs, and he shows that refusing to see possibility makes it impossible to solve problems. This book is a ray of light for dark days.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again, and host of the podcast Re:Thinking

"There has always been an emotional case for hope, but now there is a rational one. Jamil Zaki’s new book is beautiful, wise, and important—a sensible, scientific, and much-needed tonic for what ails us.”—Daniel Gilbert, author of the New York Times best-seller Stumbling on Happiness

Persuasive, faithful to the science, and hopeful.

Hope for Cynics is a masterfully written expedition from the flimsy shelter of interpersonal pessimism to the hopeful, but challenging, optimism for the world and the people around us. From poignant narratives of inspirational figures to cautionary tales of cynicism’s effects in the real world, Dr. Zaki takes the reader through the science of human cooperation and goodness with ease and faithfulness to the rigor of this work. Unlike some books that present an interesting idea at the beginning but lose their steam towards the end, Hope for Cynics only became more interesting and persuasive the farther along you go.

I suspect like many people who will read this book, I learned that I can be cynical in places that I didn’t realize before and perhaps to my own detriment. However, as someone who can be guilty of leaning into the negativity of the world, I also learned that I am not as cynical as thought I was in many places, and that might be the most action-inspiring part of it all.

Persuasive, inspiring, and, yes, hopeful

Jamil Zaki’s Hope for Cynics is a must-read for anyone looking for a more hopeful worldview. This beautifully written and inspiring book challenges our preconceived notions about human nature, demonstrating that we often underestimate the inherent goodness of others. Zaki persuasively argues that our negativity bias leads us to erroneously assume bad motivations in others, even when their actions are rooted in altruism.

Through a combination of scientific research and personal anecdotes, Zaki offers a compelling case for hope. He shows us that humanity is capable of great kindness and cooperation, and that by cultivating a more optimistic outlook, we can foster stronger relationships, create a better world, and have happier lives.

This book will leave you feeling inspired and empowered.