The Positive Side of Augustine: Hope as a Key Element

Augustine, often considered a pessimist, has a more positive side that is often overlooked. His strongly developed ideas about hope form a significant part of his philosophy. Augustine believed that human beings have a natural inclination towards the good and that evil is a falling away or perversion of that goodness. He sees hope as a virtue that directs our desires for the future towards the right objects and in the right ways. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding excessive hope or presumption, and instead cultivates a sense of humility and recognition of our own imperfections. Despite being known for his focus on evil, Augustine acknowledges and celebrates the existence of goodness in the world and encourages us to have hope even in the face of challenges.