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Jamil ZakiJamil Zaki
Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness Hardcover – 3 September 2024
by Jamil Zaki (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 99 ratings
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.
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Review
"In an era where animosity seems more common than ever, this book serves as a needed reminder that cynicism only begets cynicism. Spreading hope, trust, and good faith is a way out."
--Science Magazine
"Spectacular."--Andrew Huberman, host of The Huberman Lab podcast
"Hope for Cynics is a timely guide, and Zaki's tribute to his radically hopeful friend adds an endearing, personal layer to this book."--BookPage
"Woven in Zaki's affable and deeply considered writing, latter day research into how optimism and hopeful skepticism build out creative problem-solving and intelligence seems to come to life for the first time. Hopefulness, it seems, can indeed be a choice leading to measurably improved outcomes--and here we are offered a clear continuum of logical, clinically studied and peer-reviewed proof."--Salon
"A refreshing look at why 'people are probably better than you think'... With both heart and academic rigor, Zaki should persuade many cynics to trust in hope."--Kirkus (starred review)
"Zaki paints an optimistic yet realistic view of where things stand without papering over the obstacles to building trust in increasingly divided societies. This will convince readers they don't need to bury their heads in the sand to envision a more hopeful future."--Publishers Weekly
"In this transformative book, Jamil Zaki presents an antidote to the cynicism corroding our social health. With rigorous scientific research and fascinating narratives, Zaki challenges the belief that humanity is inherent selfish, and advocates, instead, for a 'hopeful skepticism' that creates a better world. This is a practical guide to nurturing a more trusting and cooperative society--and, ultimately, a more optimistic future."
--Charles Duhigg, author of bestsellers Supercommunicators and The Power of Habit
"In these troubled times, we hope against hope for reasons to be hopeful. And along comes Hope for Cynics, with good news not just about the future, but the present as well. Data, when viewed critically, show that we are less polarized, unempathic, and angry than we're led to believe. There's little to fear except snarky cynicism itself, and Zaki provides needed antidotes to it. Written with a wise personal voice, this is a vital book for all of us."--Robert Sapolsky, New York Times bestselling author of Determined and Behave
"I can't imagine a more timely topic. Hope is a skill, and one of my favorite psychologists has written its playbook.Hope for Cynics 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, Hope for Cynics 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
"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
About the Author
Dr. Jamil Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. He trained at Columbia and Harvard, studying empathy and kindness in the human brain. He is interested in human connection and how we can learn to connect better.
Product details
Publisher : Grand Central Publishing (3 September 2024)
Language : English
Hardcover : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 153874306X
ISBN-13 : 978-1538743065
Dimensions : 16.26 x 2.86 x 23.88 cmBest Sellers Rank: 37,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)38 in Psychobiology
60 in Psychology of Learning
122 in Neuropsychology (Books)Customer Reviews:
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 99 ratings
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Jamil Zaki
I'm a professor of psychology at Stanford University, where I direct the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory. For the last fifteen years, I've been obsessed with a few questions: how do people connect with each other, how do those connections help us, and can we learn to connect better? I've spent my career in the wonderful world of empathy science, but also have a past life as a frustrated novelist. Together, this has led me towards a passion for not only doing research, but communicating ideas about empathy, kindness, and generosity as widely as I can.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Timely, ExcellentReviewed in the United States on 28 October 2024
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This is the best medicine.
Hope for Cynics gives hope to cynics 🙂
An alternate way to interpret their reality
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Carmelo
5.0 out of 5 stars HOPEFUL SKEPTICISMReviewed in Italy on 21 October 2024
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Okay, I'll admit it: I'm a bit cynical.
But this book made me see things differently.
I got it right after I heard Andrew Huberman mention it.
The title intrigued me and I didn't regret it.
WHAT I LIKED:
- Explain why we've all become so cynical
- Use science to prove that people aren't as disgusting as we think
- It introduces an idea called “hopeful skepticism” that makes sense
- It's easy to read, nothing too academic
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- Colors of the cover a bit dull
- Character of the text a bit particular
(obviously, these are simple small details) It's
not like now I see everything pink and flowers, but it made me think.
The author does not try to sell you false optimism, but makes you reflect on how you see others.
If you too think that the world is falling apart, give this book a chance.
It may not change your life, but it will give you a different perspective.
In a nutshell: it's worth reading if you want a little hope without crap.
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Berlinworldwide
2.0 out of 5 stars Typically AmericanReviewed in Germany on 3 October 2024
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The basic theme of the book is nice and understandable, unfortunately, as with so many books, designed for the USA for readers with an attention span of 30-60 seconds. A section is 1-2 pages long, followed by a new heading. As with so many other books, the author tells of indiscriminate examples of how cynical, mostly right-minded people are either completely unhappy because of their cynical thoughts or how they are healed (by thinking progressively)...
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Shubham Mishra
1.0 out of 5 stars In my view it’s not a good book.Reviewed in India on 25 September 2024
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I liked nothing about the book.
Feels like author wants us to have guilt for thinking for ourselves.Not recommended at all.
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Doug
5.0 out of 5 stars The book I needed at the right timeReviewed in the United States on 22 September 2024
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I can't believe anyone gave this a "3" or lower. Zaki hits the nail on the head with his research, anecdotes and recommendations. I got caught up in the optimism hype about 15 years ago and realized that too much positivity was not a good thing. However, with the constant stream of anger, anxiety and hate that we get through social media and cable news, it was time for Zaki to share the research and recommendations around 'hopeful skepticism.' This is not a 'be happy all the time' book. It's grounded in reality and a very important book for us as individuals and as a society.
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Kurt Gray
5.0 out of 5 stars Skepticism is not Cynicism
Reviewed in the United States on 3 September 2024
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It's a lovely book, beautifully written, solid on the science, and firm on optimism. Many people are filled today with cynicism, but hope is attainable. This book maps out the case—and the pathway—for leaving behind our cynicism.
One idea I really appreciated was the distinction between skepticism and cynicism. We should be suspicious of unsupported scientific claims, but less suspicious of each other and our motivations. In fact, a health skepticism is one way to combat cynicism. Media pundits tell us that other people are filled with hate, but Zaki cites ample science showing that most people want the best for each other.
The message of the book is clear and elegant: If you trust the data, you should better trust other people.
24 people found this helpful
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MetrixDefense
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!
Reviewed in the United States on 9 October 2024
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Highly recommended to widen our views.
2 people found this helpful
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mitchell forman
3.0 out of 5 stars Preening the feathers
Reviewed in the United States on 11 September 2024
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While it gets mired in the maudlin, preachy, and, ironically, Pollyanna zones, it indefatigably insists that we replace cynicism with skepticism. Any progress towards that goal is no small victory.
2 people found this helpful
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Torry Katsiroubas
5.0 out of 5 stars Learn how to find the good in people even when it’s difficult
Reviewed in the United States on 9 September 2024
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This wonderful book is a delight. It teaches us how to keep an open mindset and to find the good in people. I looked forward to reading Hope for Cynics every night!
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewer
2.0 out of 5 stars I would hate to be cynical but....
Reviewed in the United States on 10 September 2024
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This book is a huge disappointment, I wish i could return it.
1. Glaring Political bias - all 'bad' examples of one political persuasion even when there are clearly cases, sometimes even more cases, on 'the other side'.
2. Glaring Omissions. He goes into reasons why trust is lower and cites only a reason that aligns with his politics, ignoring the most prominent reason for trust has declined, according to many leading social scientists (like the author of Bowling Alone) and common sense observation.
3. More or less says 'trust authority' and if not you're a cynic/conspiracy theorist. He says that democracy is declining but only blames one party. Perhaps there is a reason trust in institutions is at an all time low, beyond just 'conspiracy'?
4. Takes strong stances on many current events- and making assumptions about them that simply are not true and probably won't age well.
I am being deliberately vague here because I don't want to turn this into a political review - and the author is so bias i lost trust in anything he saying, and would assume his 'advice' is coming through a rather strong ideological filter first.. I really hate buying a self help book only to receive a political lecture.
So.. how to be more hopeful... switch your political beliefs those of the author!
It's a real disappointment because he did seem to be making a good argument why cynicism is actually less accurate than being hopeful, and why its literally bad for your health. He also makes a good distinction between skepticism and cynicism, but all that could be covered in a long article sans the lectures.
And if the author is reading this, this is skepticism not cynicism :)
17 people found this helpful
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Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness
Jamil Zaki
3.97
471 ratings73 reviews
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, that figure had fallen to 30%. 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, 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 don’t just interpret 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. 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.
GenresNonfictionPsychologySelf HelpScienceAudiobookSociologyPhilosophy
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288 pages, Hardcover
Published September 3, 2024
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Chris Boutté
Author 8 books246 followers
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September 10, 2024
This is easily one of my favorite books of the year, and I can’t recommend it enough. I’m a major cynic, and I went into this book with insane amounts of skepticism. I was thinking, “Alright. Here comes a guy completely disconnected from the real struggles of everyday people who is about to tell readers to look on the bright side.” Halfway through the introduction, I thought, “Damn it. This guy’s making a lot of good points.” Jamil Zaki killed it with this book, and I really hope it gets the attention it deserves.
I think what sold me on the author and allowed me to read with an open mind is that he starts by letting you know that he’s a cynic as well. Throughout the book, he challenges himself but turns to the science and facts to lessen his own cynicism and that of the reader. He also discusses his friend Emile a ton in this book, a fellow “hope researcher” who sadly passed away. Hearing about Emile is truly inspiring.
I have nothing bad to say about this book, but I just wanted to add a little side note for my personal introspection I had throughout.
Reading this book, I realized that I’m less cynical than I thought in certain ways. A lot of this book showcases how most people are naturally good. I haven’t questioned that in a long time since reading Roy Baumeister’s book Evil and learning about his theory of The Myth of Pure Evil. I think most people are good. While they aren’t bad or evil, I think most people are just ignorant. For example, I don’t think the people who stormed the Capitol on January 6th were bad or evil; just insanely ignorant and susceptible to believing misinformation.
But anywho, overall, this book is fantastic. I’m a recovering addict, and the only reason I’m alive today is because I found hope. This book is as much about hope as it is about cynicism, and it’s one I’ll definitely be reading again.
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Jillian B
305 reviews88 followers
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November 24, 2024
This book advocates for a stance of “hopeful skepticism,” a sort of optimism without naïveté. And while I can get on board with that outlook, I had difficulty getting into this book. It felt a bit disjointed and I felt like the interesting psychological facts were buried under anecdotes that I wasn’t particularly interested in. I think some readers are going to absolutely love this book, and it is, as a whole, well-written. I just don’t think I was the right reader for it.
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Darth Robert
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October 7, 2024
Any book that completely upsets my worldview has GOTTA get 5 stars.
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Krista
99 reviews
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September 23, 2024
Bought the audiobook after hearing this guy on Huberman. He must have saved his key points for that interview cause everything else in this book is very basic. Ie “social media shows everyone’s highlight reel and Facebook quantifies with likes” is this supposed to be new?
Found the book more depressing than hopeful.
Save your audible credit. Don’t waste your money. Wish I could return it.
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Maher Razouk
742 reviews223 followers
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September 5, 2024
You might think of beliefs and values as being like regular chocolate and dark chocolate—two different flavors of the same thing. But in fact, they’re quite different. Beliefs are assumptions or conclusions; values are what give a person meaning. Beliefs reflect what you think about the world; values reveal more about who you are. Confusing the two can be dangerous. When someone ties their self-worth to a belief—political, religious, personal, or otherwise—they have a deep need to be right. Challenges to their ideas feel like threats to their way of thinking—evidence that they’re not smart enough or good enough.
Jamil Zaki
Hope For Cynics
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
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Claudia Staude
463 reviews10 followers
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November 11, 2024
It was more than a little ironic that I finished this book only 5 days after the election. It took me over a month to read it, not because it was poorly written- it is VERY well written - but because I was in absolute stasis the month prior to the election and trying hard to self distract from it by being hyper busy. In truth- I should have read this to prepare myself for the results of Nov. 5. In any case, I find Jamil Zaki’s research and book to be pitch perfect for the days ahead. Hope is not a PollyAnna-ish way of viewing the world nor is it based in emotional delusions. Zaki presents scientific evidence for the reasons to hold hopeful positions and how to turn cynicism into healthy skepticism which lies underneath our ability to see hope and possibilities all around us.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting ideas for navigating the road ahead and for a literary pep talk for the next four years!
“What can an individual do to fight [climate disaster, racism, polarization etc)]? Answer: “Stop being an individual. Teach others about the sublime potential they all have to walk through darkness and spread light. This force is in us and communal. It’s not owned. The best way to activate a communal force is to be a community. That’s why we’re here.”
2024 favorites nonfiction
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The season
73 reviews18 followers
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November 10, 2024
It's (understandably) a little US-centric but feels like it should be essential reading. It could so easily have become a fluffy bundle of self-help "truisms" but instead opts for real world examples. It was a little challenging to read because honestly, there's a real temptation to write it off (How can something that flies in the face of our natural tendency to cynicism be real?), but that's kind of the whole point.
I was wavering around 4 stars, but the section at the end attempting to provide some weight on the scientific claims and studies almost cinched the extra one. A little transparency goes a long way.
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Alyssa
93 reviews16 followers
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ReadOctober 1, 2024
A quick plug -- if you loved this or even if you want to get a bit of a preview into some of the lessons and evidence Jamil Zaki gets into in the book, I highly recommend the most recent series of episodes of the podcast, "The Happiness Lab" with Laurie Santos. Zaki co-hosts the episodes and discusses some of what is covered (and more!). Highly recommend.
This book was recommended to me by my former graduate school advisor. Though non-fiction is not typically my preference, I really found this helpful and practical. I've often felt immobilized by bad news, and I like the way that Zaki highlights our individual power and encourages readers to lean into community and collective action. I finished the book with practical tips for more productive conversations and facilitating positive change locally.
I do want to highlight some of the criticisms in the reviews below. Specifically that examples often lend themselves to a particular political (left-leaning) slant, which I also noticed. This was particularly frustrating because in many of the original studies, extreme opinions on both sides of the political spectrum are tested and the data often reflects the same effects regardless of political affiliation or leaning of the respondent. But I disagree with the other reviews in that I did not find the examples as preaching or lecturing, and felt that in many instances Zaki highlighted issues that had bi-partisan support but one side or the other believed the opposing side held a more polarizing view than reflected by reality.
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Caroline Todd
155 reviews3 followers
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October 16, 2024
This book is difficult to rate - three stars feels stingy and four feels generous, so let’s call it a 3.5. I was put off by the “neither side listens to each other” posturing peppered throughout. You know, when one (fascist, theocratic) side wins elections on human rights abuses (lest we forget the other isn’t too much better, shutting down any hint of organizing that chips away at American empire - but with a rainbow flag!), listening feels like a pathetic solution? I do believe in human potential, and I care deeply for others - I know successful organizing hinges on these one-on-one interactions - but I don’t think it’s off-base to worry that an elite few power brokers are actually evil. Like, we can’t only listen to each other, we need better political education and also the downfall of capitalism to end historical processes of exploitation. But I digress.
There were several things I liked about this book, though! As a cynic (derogatory), I found reframing hope as a kind of scientific skepticism reassuring. I was also genuinely moved by some of the stories Zaki cites - conversations really can lead to so much good, and I appreciate his focus on community-building. I’m finding it difficult to keep up my political morale these days, but remembering that I simply need to seek better data (in my media diet as well as my social interactions) helps. As Mariame Kaba says, hope is a discipline. I now feel like I have a few tools to further the pursuit of that discipline. Somebody’s got to do this shit, so it may as well be us
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Kathy
460 reviews34 followers
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October 7, 2024
A social science/self-helpy book that actually zips along and holds a reader’s interest with enough detail and data.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 73 reviews
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Hope for Cynics
The Surprising Science Of Human Goodness
By: Jamil Zaki
Narrated by: Jamil Zaki
Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-09-2024
Language: English
Publisher: Little, Brown Audio
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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, that figure had fallen to 30%. 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, cynicism is misplaced. Dozens of studies find that people fail to realise how kind, generous and open-minded others really are. And cynical thinking worsens social problems, because our beliefs don't just interpret 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. Through science and storytelling, Jamil Zaki imparts the secret for beating back cynicism: hopeful scepticism. 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 scepticism 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 Little, Brown Audio
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Critic Reviews
'I can't imagine a more timely topic. Hope is a skill, and one of my favourite psychologists has written its playbook. Hope for Cynics 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)
'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 bestseller Stumbling on Happiness)
'Magnificently written and powerfully moving, Hope for Cynics 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)
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