Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Book | Chapter

226611

Hope, despair, and other strategies of patients

Kenneth Boyd

pp. 429-440

Abstract

Is hope an emotion or a virtue? Is a patient's hope measurable? Philosophers and healthcare researcher have differed in their approaches and answers to such questions, but some areas of greater clarity and convergence seem to be emerging. The dynamics of hope, despair, and hopelessness have been more clearly delineated. Hope is neither simply an emotion nor a propositional attitude. It may be understood by patients either as determined by the doctor or in the power of the patient. The clinical and therapeutic relevance of hope and despair depend less on measuring hope in patients than on listening to the individual patient.

Publication details

Published in:

Schramme Thomas, Edwards Steven D. (2017) Handbook of the philosophy of medicine. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 429-440

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-8688-1_25

Full citation:

Boyd Kenneth (2017) „Hope, despair, and other strategies of patients“, In: T. Schramme & S. D. Edwards (eds.), Handbook of the philosophy of medicine, Dordrecht, Springer, 429–440.