This open access volume makes an important contribution to the ongoing research on hope theory by combining insights from both its long history and its increasing multi-disciplinarity. In the first part, it recognizes the importance of the centuries-old reflection on hope by offering historical perspectives and tracing it back to ancient Greek philosophy. At the same time, it provides novel perspectives on often-overlooked historical theories and developments and challenges established views. The second part of the volume documents the state of the art of current research in hope across eight disciplines, which are philosophy, theology, psychology, economy, sociology, health studies, ecology, and development studies. Taken together, this volume provides an integrated view on hope as a multi-faced phenomenon. It contributes to the further understanding of hope as an essential human capacity, with the possibility of transforming our human societies.

Provides an interdisciplinary overview of the current state of research on hope

Part I: Historical Perspectives on Hope.- Chapter 1. Hope in Ancient Greek Philosophy (G. Scott Gravlee).- Chapter 2. Early Christian Thinking on Hope (Martin I. Webber & Jacobus (Kobus) Kok).- Chapter 3. Hope as a Virtue in the Middle Ages (Andrew Pinsent).- Chapter 4. Enlightenment Views of Hope (Claudia Blöser).- Chapter 5. Post-Kantian to Postmodern Considerations of (Theological) Hope (Ronald T. Michener).- Part II: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Hope.- Chapter 6. Philosophy of Hope (Michael Milona).- Chapter 7. Hope in Theology (David Elliot).- Chapter 8. The Psychology of Hope: A Diagnostic and Prescriptive Account (Anthony Scioli).- Chapter 9. Hope in Economics (Emma Pleeging & Martijn Burger).- Chapter 10. Hope During Conflict (Oded Adomi Leshem & Eran Halperin).- Chapter 11. Hope in Health Care: A Synthesis of Review Studies (Erik Olsman).- Chapter 12. Ecological Hope (Michael S. Northcott).- Chapter 13. An Ontology of Human Flourishing: Economic Development and Epistemologies of Faith, Hope, and Love (Jan van Vliet).